Mustangs Regroup In Basketball

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Kalaheo’s Alika Kaanapu shoots
a basket while D.J. Chang
looks on. Photo by Nathalie
Walker, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Throughout its proud history, the Kalaheo basketball program has always been equipped with great leaders and great scorers.

Mustang coach Chico Furtado is confident that guard Cheynne Lishman will be both of these by the time he completes his eligibility next March.

“He’ll be our captain next year, and he’ll have to become a leader, which will be something new for him,” the coach said. “Offensively, he’ll have to carry the load. He’s the teeth of our team. He’s the only returnee with the ability to put points on the board. We lost all of our post (players).”

When Kalaheo began summer league play recently, Lishman found himself surrounded by fresh faces. Gone from last year’s team are 6-foot-6 center Tyler Caswell and fellow veterans Clifton Pires, Koa Siliga and Chase Moses. But if the Mustangs are short on varsity experience, they are long on talent, beginning with Lishman, who was a First Team All-Conference selection in the Oahu Interscholastic Association’s Eastern Division this past winter. Lishman averaged 14 points per game in league play, hitting 28 three-pointers in 12 OIA Red East contests.

“He’s getting better and better every day,” Furtado added. “He’s very confident in his skills, offensively. He’s an excellent jump shooter with good range, and he’s getting better about attacking the bucket.”

Lishman’s supporting cast will be made up largely of players who were on the junior varsity last season. With that in mind, summer league is a welcome opportunity.

“Regardless of who we play, summer gives us a chance to evaluate kids who hadn’t had a lot of playing time last year,” said Furtado, whose team finished 15-4 overall en route to a third-place finish in the state tournament. “This should really help our guys.”

Caswell’s absence may be the most visible from last year’s team, given his inside dominance. Alika Kaanapu, D.J. Chang and Christian Kepa are among postplayers who are trying to fill the void.

“Alika is very active around the bucket, and D.J. has the skills to be a really good post player if he’s focused on what he’s doing. Christian will be out a little while with an ankle sprain, but he’s showed some promise.”

On the wing, Furtado has paired sophomore Aaron Fernandez with Lishman when both have been available. “Aaron shoots the long ball real well - it’s his strength.”

Also in the fold are Richard Preza Haynes, Keano Bruhn, Taylor Jay, Cody von Appen, Daniel Bizek, Gio Wozniak, Shawn Hipa, Carlos Craig and Colby Lee.

“Richard is a great athlete - he has quickness, and he can get up and down,” Furtado said of Preza Haynes, who will be a junior in the fall. “Taylor has shown a lot of progress, and Cody is a very, very competitive kid.”

The Mustangs continue summer league play at 8:30 p.m. Friday when they host Punahou.