Quietly, Jameson Hussey has gone about his business.
The Kamehameha corner man — he plays first base and third base — batted 4-for-9 for Team Hawaii in the Arizona Senior Fall Classic over the weekend. That caps a fun baseball escape in an otherwise bleak COVID-19 pandemic that cut the spring high school season short.
“I enjoyed facing new competition because it feels like we play the same people over and over again here in Hawaii. To face different competition was good,” said Hussey, who was also an offensive lineman for the Kamehameha football team.
Team Hawaii is coached by veteran Duane Eldredge.
“I was pleased with my performance, but there is always room for improvement,” said Hussey, who had a triple and double in the Senior Fall Classic. “I got to make new friends from different schools across the state. We all really got to know each other and became friends really easily. Definitely made memories that’ll last a lifetime.”
Hussey is 5 feet, 11 inches tall and 240 pounds. Prior to the Senior Fall Classic in Peoria, he went to Washington and Oregon with the Go Nuts baseball club team coached by Al Carganilla. He hit .333 with a two-run home run on that trip, an opposite-field blast.
“That was my favorite highlight, definitely,” he said.
Kamehameha Coach Daryl Kitagawa has enjoyed watching Hussey from afar this offseason.
“He’s an absolute animal in the weight room, and he does a lot of lifting with his old youth team with Go Nuts and Al Carganilla. He’s been close with them. I love letting the kids be themselves,” Kitagawa said.
Hussey hit .545 as a Kamehameha junior, including the high school preseason. In two ILH games before the first lockdown, he hit .714.
“I’ve had him and Tui (Ickes) bat in the middle of the lineup, and they hit like madmen.”
Kitagawa has known Hussey for nearly a decade.
“He is a extraordinary human being, bottom line. He is so respectful. I’ve known him since he was 8 years old, playing football in Manoa (Paniolos) and he was a big part of our team when we won five state championships. He’s a great baseball player, but he’s even a better person in my opinion,” Kitagawa said. “Jameson is vocal, but he’s authentic because he leads by example, as well. It was his first year on varsity and he kind of took the reins. He’s got the biggest heart.”
Hussey will play at Hesston College (Wichita, Kan.) next season.
“Shout out to Coach Jamie Womack for giving me the opportunity to play at the net level,” Hussey said. “And shout out to my teammate, Shaydan Lovediro for helping me along my journey.”
Now, aside from the possibility of another Hawaii Sandlot Classic tournament in early winter, Hussey waits to rejoin his baseball brothers at Kapalama.
“I can’t wait to get back together with my teammates at Kamehameha. We get along with each other really well and we all have one goal in common, with is to bring the koa back to the hill,” Hussey said. “Having our season cut short, I really miss our team’s connection and how we play with great chemistry together. We’re looking awesome right now and hopefully we will be blessed with a baseball season this year.”
Lockdown staples
Top 3 movies/shows
1. “Creed 2.”
2. “Cobra Kai.”
3. “Outer Banks.”
Top 3 food/snack/drink
1. Bang Energy drink.
2. Ritz Blitz cheese crackers.
3. Swedish Fish. “It’s candy. They’re red and you can buy them at most convenience stores. It’s a travel snack necessity.”
Top 3 music artists
1. Juice WRLD.
2. Drake.
3. Gunna.
New life skill
Hussey: “I learned how to tape ankles in my athletic training course.”
Shout outs
Hussey: “Shout out to my family, friends and coaches for helping me along my journey as a student-athlete and guiding me to be a better person in life.”
Super stoked to have Jameson join us next year!
Great Kid, Great family!!