The Maui Preparatory Academy boys basketball team has high aspirations for the second half of the Maui Interscholastic League Division II season.

NAPILI — The Maui Preparatory Academy boys basketball team is off to a sizzling start to the pandemic-ruffled 2022 season. At the halfway point of the Maui Interscholastic League Division II schedule, the Pueo are undefeated and atop the division standings.

Guided by a relatively new, yet highly knowledgeable, coaching staff, the Maui Prep team raced through an undefeated preseason slate and have yet to be challenged in MIL D-II contests.

First year co-head coaches Zach Bailey and Cheyne De La Garza lead the Pueo and are joined by Roxy De La Garza, Jim Ellia and Mason Triplett. The team trainer is Annalisa Figueroa, and the managers are Melissa Willi and Flynn Williams.

The players roster includes seniors Drew Triplett, Dylan Falk, Jimmy Falk, Koenig Biegel, Levi Basurto and Bennett Bluh; junior Emerson Flores; and freshmen Christopher Salem, Kai Godwin and Kai Shively.

“The last year-and-a-half has been very challenging for our program due to COVID and the protocols set in place. We’ve done our best to keep our boys mentally strong through it all, while developing them at the game of basketball and as high character young men,” explained Coach Cheyne last week.

“Discipline, work ethic, attitude and team play is at the forefront of our program and is demanded every day on and off the court. We have a well-rounded, skilled team that thrives off team chemistry and hard play. They have been committed to the process, and it’s been a pleasure watching them grow immensely in such a short period of time.”

“Half of our upperclassmen played for me on the Lahaina Menehune team — the majority of them were eighth-graders, came off the bench and played minimal minutes. The growth has been truly remarkable. We are looking forward to these last few weeks of the season, as we have high aspirations going into it,” Coach Cheyne stated.

In conclusion, he thanked the Maui Prep administration, including Head of School Dr. Miguel Solis, Principal Ryan Kirkham, Upper School Director Keenan Reader and the board of directors; Athletic Director and co-head coach Zach Bailey, and to assistant coaches Jim Ellia, Roxy De La Garza, and Mason Triplett.

“Thank you for your energy, time and basketball knowledge you bring every day and share with our boys. Lastly, to my wife — who makes the biggest sacrifice in all this due to my love, passion and constant dedication to coaching — thank you, and I love you,” he said.