The revolving door at the top of the Hilo High boys soccer program is shut.
George Ichimaru is back, bringing a sense of continuity and stability with him, and the Vikings are moving forward and won’t start the season trying to figure things out under a new coach for the first time since Don Memmer retired in 2012.
“It’s way more easier for the players,” junior Kalei Tolentino-Perry said, “because we have learned the system, and it’s easier for the coach because he knows the players.
“I think we can play simpler.”
Ichimaru said Hilo spent last season refining his ball-possession, push-the-pace style. This season is about mastering it.
Of course, there has only been one master in BIIF Division I of late: four-time defending champion Kealakehe.
The Vikings learned that again last season, though they put up a fight before losing their third consecutive BIIF final, succumbing 3-2 on a late goal at Waverider Stadium.
“We talk about history and what Hilo High is capable of,” said Ichimaru, a 2004 Waiakea graduate. “This is it. You guys have to go out there and want it. You got close this past year, you let it slip in the last 10 minutes of the game.”
He won’t change his approach much from his first year on the job, but he is trying to get Hilo to alter its mentality. If the result is going to change, the Vikings must dare to be different.
“We aren’t afraid to be ourselves even if we are standing alone,” Ichimaru said.
To retain possession of the ball, he stresses the importance of a flat back four that will consist of junior Rylen Kaniaupio, senior Brandon Baca, freshman Josh Rosario and junior Lander Mizuba. Mizuba saw time at goalkeeper last season, but to see the field he’ll leave the full-time duties at keeper to returning starter Ka’aina Lewis, a junior.
The backbone for the Vikings could come at midfield with a diverse group that includes Tolentino-Perry, seniors Nicholas Carter, Jace Taka and Aris Aynessazian. Tolentino-Perry was one of the Vikings’ leading scorers last season and Carter was the team’s only all-BIIF selection.
‘“Kalei can hit a good 30-yard shot, Nick can slide the ball in behind and Aris can control the ball and move through the middle very easily,” Ichimaru said.
In addition to Rosario, Hilo’s youth movement comes at striker. Freshmen Riley Patterson and Tyler Thompson will see time up top and they bring club experience with them.
“Their level and caliber of play is really high,” Ichimaru said. “They come to the program and they have amazed me. They can line up with the juniors and seniors.”
Hilo starts another season filled high hopes at 1 p.m. Saturday with a stern test at Hawaii Prep. The reality for the Vikings is this: They’ll likely be very good again and they’ll win a lot of games, but to get where they want to go they’ll likely have to get through their nemesis.
“Right now, I’m just focusing on the games that are coming up,” Tolentino-Perry said. “I feel like we’re going to make it that far, and Kealakehe is going to be on our way. We just have to practice with the games we have now for Kealakehe.”
