‘Iolani’s Devin Lee lives up to the pressure
‘Iolani’s Devin Lee said he felt the pressure of being the reigning Honolulu Star-Advertiser Boys Soccer Player of the Year and having his father as coach. It was nothing like the pressure Lee put on opponents with his skills, soccer IQ and relentlessness. Lee, a senior midfielder, repeated as Honolulu Star-Advertiser Player of the Year after helping the Raiders claim their second consecutive HHSAA Division I State Championship.
He is the first repeat POY since Kalani’s Leo Klink in 2012 and 2013. “I’m just grateful for everything I’ve accomplished and everybody that’s helped me along the way,” Lee said. Lee recorded 11 goals and 11 assists for ‘Iolani, which finished the season 13-0-0 while outscoring opponents 54-8.
“Going into the season we knew we had a lot to live up to, defending our state championship,” Lee said. “We knew we just had to put in the work and stick together. ” Four Raiders teammates join Lee on the Stellar Eleven: midfielder Anthony Ancheta, defenders Austin Ancheta and Kekama Kane, and goalkeeper Braydon Obrero.
Anthony and Austin are fraternal twins. Forward Brady Lau and midfielder Thompson Cheever from state runner-up Punahou made the first team. Coaches also voted Kalani forward Toranosuke Kikuchi, Campbell forward Tyler Welsch, Mililani midfielder Elijah Kuni and Kamehameha defender Kaulana Yamato to the first team.
Lee and Obrero were named to the first team for the third consecutive season, while Kane, Welsch and Kuni were repeat selections. Lee said he had a lot to live up to this season as the returning Player of the Year: “There’s definitely pressure of being Player of the Year, but I try not to think about it as much. I try to just do my part and do my role.