To be impactful is a mind-set ingrained in Shandon Hopeau.

It’s one of his goals this season on the Kapolei boys soccer team, where Hopeau’s immediate impact is felt on offense and resonates beyond the balls he’s struck into the net.

His play on the field can establish and dictate the game’s tempo in favor of the Hurricanes. His 18 goals lead the OIA West, but he’s as adept at helping his teammates score. This season, the junior midfielder/forward/captain broke the program’s career assists record of 25 — his other goal for the season. His coaches speak of the pride and passion Hopeau has for soccer, attributes he infuses into the program.

"The one thing he’s done for us is he’s making an impact," said Ryan Lau, one of Kapolei’s three head coaches. "He’s taking the responsibility he needs to make the impact in the big games. Instead of deferring for somebody else to win the game or get us scoring, he’s taking the responsibility early. He understands from experience that the first 10, 15 minutes can really establish the pace of the game and how it’s dictated."

Hopeau, who aspires to play Division I college soccer and in the World Cup, explained being impactful as: "more of a game-changer or I could be depended on. And when the going gets tough, they can change the game."

In the big games this season against rivals Mililani and Pearl City, Hopeau scored for the Hurricanes in the first 10 minutes. The Hurricanes (8-0-2) beat Mililani 1-0 and Pearl City 2-0 with Hopeau scoring all the goals.

"He’s kind of like the quarterback of the field," said Lyric DeLeon, one of Kapolei’s captains. "He distributes the ball and (runs) the offense. But we don’t just rely on him. We have our other players on the field to support him and help him out."

With his team out of sync against Leilehua recently, Hopeau drove down the baseline and assisted on his team’s first goal that settled everyone down. Kapolei won that game 3-1.

"We were kind of in a funk," coach Neal Sakaue said of the Leilehua game. "The team needed a pick me up, somebody to energize the us. Whether it’s scoring or assists, he made it happen."

Hopeau has been a starter since his freshman year. Back then, playing with older players pushed him to improve his game. A soccer junkie, he devoted his free time to improving his game.

"It was more motivation to want to play against players that were older than me, the competitiveness to keep up, practice on my own, train in my off time to hang with them," Hopeau explained.

In the years since, he said his mental game has improved. At 5 feet 9, his physical stature is still developing. Hopeau is quick, has great vision on the field and has no problem getting others involved. He broke the program’s career assists record this season and has since extended it to 32.

"For the talent (he has), he’s very humble and he’s willing to share," said coach Merk Ishii.

"He’ll do the assists, not just take it upon himself. He’s not selfish, he’s a team player."

His level of play and performance at mainland soccer showcases have attracted attention from those outside of Hawaii. College coaches have pitched scholarship offers.

"I don’t feel pressured at all," Hopeau said of playing at the showcases that attract college coaches. "I just be myself, I relax in the game. I don’t let any of that get to me. When it comes to the sport I love the most, I don’t feel any pressure at all."

The past two summers, he was selected to train in Spain with other youth players. In July, he was one of 36 players from around the world who were invited to train at Real Madrid’s camp.

"I learned to be quicker and smarter — scoring decisions, not to be fancy," Hopeau said. "Their attitude is way different from people in the U.S … (the players are) more competitive than we are, more aggressive, more skillful."

Kapolei earned a first-round bye in the OIA playoffs that run Feb. 2 to 7. To win its first OIA title since 2011 will require a strong effort from the defense, which has allowed just four goals in league play and is anchored by DeLeon and goalkeeper Makana Breault. Winning a league title also involves Hopeau being impactful in all facets of the game.

"It’s a good thing he’s on my team," said Breault, a captain who has an 0.18 goals-against average. "He wants to win. That’s something you can’t teach. He does whatever he can to beat everybody else. He’s super competitive. He just likes to win."

Lahainaluna girls hoops team steamrolls to 100th MIL win in a row

At 10-0, the Lahainaluna Lunas are breezing through another MIL girls basketball season.

After winning their 100th league game in a row against King Kekaulike 10 days ago, coach Todd Rickard’s team did something unremarkable and totally typical.

It went back to work. The Lady Lunas rolled over Kamehameha-Maui and Maui last week, and there is, once again, anticipation about the postseason.

Last year, the Lunas were seeded first and hosted Maryknoll in the quarterfinals. A massive crowd at Lahaina Civic Center saw Lahainaluna edge Maryknoll 61-57. The Lunas then beat Hilo 57-47 before losing to Punahou 60-48 in the title game at Blaisdell Arena.

For now, fans on the Valley Isle are relishing the accomplishment of West Maui’s dynasty. The Lunas haven’t lost an MIL game since 2008, against Maui. It’s not always a great thing, Rickard said, to win so consistently and handily.

"Sometimes, it’s a bad thing. You can’t get the chemistry with your veteran players because they’re on the bench," said Rickard, in his 23rd season of coaching.

A more competitive in-season schedule — say some exhibition games with powerhouses on other islands — would be ideal. But transportation is too costly.

"For sure, I definitely would be willing to play anybody, any time, but the cost is so much. I wish we had those kinds of games every day," Rickard said.

Lahainaluna’s nonconference slate was as tough as it gets thanks to Rickard’s penchant for traveling to Oahu and playing in as many tournaments — sometimes simultaneously — as possible. The Lunas have wins over Punahou, Kaiser, Leilehua and Mililani. They split games with Hilo and lost at No. 1 Konawaena.

Millwood to coach Kamehameha softball

Kamehameha has hired James Millwood as its softball coach, the school confirmed Monday.

Best known as the former football coach at Mililani, Millwood was also a JV softball coach and assistant athletic director there, according to Kamehameha associate athletic director Maurice Maggiolino.

"We are excited to have him on board. He is a veteran coach with a lot of experience," Maggiolino said.

Millwood, who has two daughters in the Kamehameha softball program, takes over for outgoing coach Aloha Yamaguchi.

At Mililani, Millwood coached the Trojans in varsity football for 13 seasons before stepping down after the 2006 campaign.

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THE TOP 10

Voted on by coaches and media from around the state. First-place votes in parentheses. Ten points for first-place votes, nine for second, etc.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Boys
Kalahikola Judd
MIlilani soccer
Scored off a pass from Spencer Hokama in the 78th minute to beat Pearl City and give Mililani the OIA West title. Judd finished the regular season with a team-high 14 goals.

GIRLS
Patria Vaimaona
Kailua basketball
Outscored Kalaheo all by herself with 30 points in a 66-29 win. She was 7-for-10 from the free-throw line with 19 points in a loss to Roosevelt earlier in the week.