Kalaheo's Furtado out after season

Longtime Kalaheo basketball coach Chico Furtado made it official: This is his last season with the Mustangs.

Furtado made his announcement to the boys team before the senior-night game against Farrington last Thursday. Once word got out, former players—about 40 in all—made their way back to Kalaheo's gym to watch the game and participate in a postgame ceremony for their former coach.

“;When I started seeing kids who normally don't come to the games, I knew something was up,”; Furtado said. “;It was really nice.”;

Furtado began coaching boys hoops at Kalaheo under the late Pete Smith in 1990. He took over the program in the 2003-04 season.

This year's team is contending for the league title and is ranked No. 5 (16-7) in the Star-Bulletin Top 10.

Furtado also coached the girls basketball program starting in 1996 until stepping down two seasons ago when the girls season was moved to winter. He has coached six OIA title teams—five on the girls side.

Boys state soccer starts today

Perennial powers Moanalua and Pearl City square off today in the Division I opening round of the JN Automotive Group/HHSAA Boys Soccer State Championships at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park.

The tourney's top seed, Punahou, has a bye and will meet the Moanalua-Pearl City winner tomorrow.

Mid-Pacific, the top seed in Division II, opens today against Christian Liberty.