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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, July 4, 2001

Alumnus to lead Punahou basketball girls

Advertiser Staff

Punahou School reached again into its deep well of former head coaches and alumni to fill its final head coaching vacancy yesterday.

Mike Taylor, 29, a 1990 Punahou graduate, was appointed head girls basketball coach. Taylor was head coach at Maryknoll in 1999-2000 and was an assistant at Punahou this past season and from 1991-'98.

He replaces Shelley Kahuanui Fey, who led the Buffanblu to seven state final fours and three championships in the past eight years.

Taylor returned to Punahou last fall when a fourth-grade teaching position was offered to him. He is a 1995 University of Hawai'i graduate.

"Mike is a good motivator and teaches fundamentals and techniques real well. It will be a smooth transition because he already knows all the kids throughout the program," Punahou assistant athletic director Kale Ane said in making the announcement.

In addition to coaching the varsity, Taylor will coordinate the entire Punahou girls basketball program of six teams and about 90 players.

"Basketball is my life," Taylor said. "I go to camps, read books, learn all I can. I'm a student of the game."

Taylor said that Alan Ching, who has worked with him at both Punahou and Maryknoll, would be chief assistant. Another assistant will be selected.

Taylor resides in Hawai'i Kai with his wife, Noelle, and 2 1/2-year-old twins, Logan, a boy, and Lexie, a girl.

Fey resigned after 12 seasons to spend more time with her children and pursue other interests at Punahou, where she teaches physical education.

With Taylor's appointment, Punahou has filled eight varsity head coaching vacancies that have occurred since the past seasons. The others are: Dan Tuttle III, girls track and field; Greg Tacon, boys basketball; Lyman Lacro, boys volleyball; John McDermott, girls volleyball; Michael Georgi, cross country; Maile Kapuniai, cheerleading and; Clayton Mew, bowling.