Jeremy McLean elevated to head basketball coach at Moanalua
· Yahoo Sports
Jeremy McLean knows the nuts and bolts of Moanalua boys basketball.
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The former assistant coach is the new head coach, Moanalua announced Thursday. McLean retired from the U.S. Navy after 23 years in 2023 and has since been an engineer at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. He has also been at the side of Brandon Dumlao, assisting the varsity squad and heading the JV program year-round. McLean, originally from North Carolina, was a strong recommendation by Dumlao, who departed for his alma mater, Kamehameha, in May.
“I feel great. I’m extremely blessed and appreciative of this opportunity to continue the work I’ve been doing,” McLean said.
A young Moanalua squad had its moments of brilliance last season. It’s a prime situation for McLean, as all underclassmen are expected to return. They’ve been running and training nonstop since the season ended in February. Among the returnees are juniors-to-be Isaiah Griffin, a bouncy 6-foot-3 junior; 6-1 guard Chase LeBaron, 5-10 guard Chazen Dabalos-Vereze and 5-10 guard Nichika Tsang. Fleet-footed senior-to-be Edisen Agoleppa adds more backcourt scoring punch.
McLean intends to make defense a tenacious focal point. Fullcourt pressure for 32 minutes.
“From the jump ball to the end, or if we’re up 30 points,” he said.
His expectations of consistent offseason training have led to a full-scale buy-in from roughly 30 varsity and JV players. Moanalua had a summer league game with defending state champion Kahuku tied with 42 seconds left this week.
The team has a sit-down break every Monday to discuss each player’s short- and long-term goals, as well as goals that were accomplished in the previous week.
“What they like and don’t like. It allows kids to open up to their fellow players and sets some camaraderie, and the communication is now 10-fold. Guys talking on defense and buying in,” McLean said. “I got that from the military, but also Phil Jackson.”
The two friends, McLean and Dumlao, still chat. In fact, Moanalua and Kamehameha played a summer league game recently. Na Menehune won by 16 against a Kamehameha squad that lost key players to graduation.
“I wouldn’t be here without Coach Brandon and his support for me,” McLean said. “We’ve stayed committed as a program, played in tournaments. It’s paying dividends. I’m excited and looking forward to it.”
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