Lum Replaces McKeown As Head Girls Basketball Coach

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Castle elected to go “in-house” recently in choosing longtime assistant coach Mark Lum to be its new head girls basketball coach.

Lum takes over for Jeff McKeown, the Knights’ coach since 1997, who resigned after last season to spend more time with family. Lum has been on Castle football coach Nelson Maeda’s staff the last 11 years and currently works with the defensive backs alongside defensive coordinator Harry Paaga.

“I’m very excited,” Lum said of his new appointment. “Coaching with Jeff, our goal was always to build Castle into a program that could be very competitive with the rest of the league. The athletes are there, and I’m excited to be a part of the program.”

While there were other candidates, Lum was widely regarded as the heir apparent to McKeown by those close to the program.

“Mark had been here for about 11 years,” said athletic director Laynie Sueyasu. “In the interview process it was all about the kids and what was in the best interest of the program and the school. He’s always looking out for the kids. He knows the program really well.”

Castle finished 6-6 last year in the OIA Red Conference and brings back a solid nucleus for 2010-2011, including Cailee Awa, Leisha Li’ili’i, Joshelle Lilio, Brittany Hawn and Britany Lane. A pair of transfers in Tehani Umiamaka (Kailua) and Lauren Masaniai (Kalani) also should bolster the lineup in November.

Lum also is excited about incoming freshmen twin sisters Qaira (pronounced Kara) and Qaire (Kerri) Pua’auli. “They are 5-7 and 5-8, and we expect them both to have an impact this year,” he said of the pair, who are coming up from King Intermediate.

The Lady Knights currently are playing in the Kalaheo Summer League, where fans are seeing a fast-paced style.

“This year, we’ll play a little more up-tempo,” Lum said. “We want to use our athletes and our speed a little more. And we can still utilize our height when in a half-court set.

“We’re not worried about winning and losing in summer league - our concern is trying to get better overall as a group. It’s helping the girls to get acclimated to what we want to do. And we’re giving all of the girls a lot of game experience, which is what they need.”

Lum was a three-sport letter-winner in his own prep days at Kailua (class of 1977), competing in basketball, football and baseball. He already has enlisted former Maryknoll coach Ashton Smith as his assistant. Lum began his own coaching career as an assistant on Smith’s staff at Maryknoll in the early 1990s.