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Wednesday, September 6, 2000
Micah Kroeger, Kamehameha's new varsity boys' basketball coach, said he will make up for what he lacks in formal coaching experience with the knowledge he's gained as a player. Kroeger named new
Kamehameha coachBy Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin"I've been a coach on the floor all my life," the former University of Hawaii forward said. "I believe in discipline and playing the game the right way. I want to pass on that you don't have to have all the talent in the world to play well and win."
Kroeger, 24, replaces Jim Winchester, who retired after last season. Winchester coached the Warriors to a state title in 1992.
Kamehameha went 7-7 last season to finish fourth in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu and out of the state tournament. The Warriors return several talented players this season, including all-ILH center Kola Kapanui.
"I'm excited about the opportunity," Kroeger said. "There's a rich basketball tradition here and I just want to try and carry on that tradition."Our goal every year will be to win the state championship. If your goal isn't to win the championship, then you shouldn't be there."
Kroeger, who also will be director of the overall boys' basketball program at Kamehameha, said he did not know who his assistant coaches will be.
"Micah will bring a new excitement and a new level of enthusiasm to our basketball program," Warriors athletic director Blane Gaison said. "His experience as a Division I basketball player will take the program to another level."
Former Kamehameha players Larry Park (a Winchester assistant) and Jesse Nakanishi were the other finalists. Former UH assistant and University High and St. Louis head coach Darryl Gabriel also had expressed interest. Clay Cockett and Dennis Agena were asked to apply, but decided to remain as coaches with the Warriors' state championship girls' team.
Kroeger played forward for UH from 1995 to 1998. He started on two teams that went to the National Invitational Tournament.
"I recommended him," UH coach Riley Wallace said. "I told Blane that Micah would carry into coaching what he did on the court as a player.
"He's very intense, a student of the game and loves to win. He has a good work ethic and will spend the time to do a good job."
Before UH, Kroeger played his freshman season at Saddleback Community College (Calif.).
Kroeger is originally from Huntington Beach, Calif. He graduated from UH with a degree in marketing in 1999. He owns a promotional company called Logo Advantages and also works part time at the Honolulu Advertiser.
His wife, Mia, works at Kamehameha as a dormitory advisor, and the couple lives on the campus.
Kamehameha Schools
