Megan Ching didn't know if she wanted to pursue basketball after an All-State career at Kamehameha.

But she had a late change of heart, and started calling the coaches at Cal State Northridge.

"They were really encouraging. I just went up there and hoped for the best," the 2003 graduate said. "It worked out, so I'm lucky."

With such a late start, Ching had to prove herself again. She went from a two-time Advertiser All-State first-team member — including Player of the Year in 2002 — to a walk-on.

"It wasn't bad, my ego wasn't 'Oh no!' or anything," Ching said. "It was different having to earn respect from players and coaches."

The junior point guard is averaging 6.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 25.6 minutes per game this season. She has started eight of 11 games, with a team-highs in assists (42) and steals (36).

Ching earned a scholarship after her freshman year, but said through her first two years she was still learning the team's system.

"I was nervous a lot," she admitted. "Now, I'm a lot more comfortable, and it's going better this year."

It's not the only adjustment Ching had to make. She went from being a go-to playmaker for Kamehameha to a role player. She also went from a slashing and penetrating force to one with strictly ball-handling duties.

She is also getting used to the time commitment and the physical demands of college basketball.

"It feels like you're always playing basketball; not having much to do other than basketball, not having a beach to go to, or having other stuff around," Ching said. "Just having everything revolve around basketball was an adjustment."

She still finds time to shop, usually in Santa Monica or Venice Beach, is "big on eating," and has recently picked up a hobby: knitting:

"That's odd for a basketball player," she said. "My friend from Hawai'i was doing it and I came home last summer and teased her about it. And then me and my teammates started doing it.

"It's something to do with your hands when you're sitting around."

She planned on knitting during a seven-hour bus ride yesterday to Stockton, Calif., for a game today against Pacific. So far, she's made three scarves, but hopes to move on to a throw soon.

She also tried surfing for the first time.

"I've never done it before and I'm not a huge water person, because I was always playing basketball," she said. "Now, I miss the beach."

She doesn't do a lot of surfing while at school — "the water is freezing here" — and says there isn't much to do in the Northridge area of Southern California. "There's a mall and movie theaters, but it's not exciting. It's really kind of boring; everyone chills."

NOTE

Senior center Tina Sanerivi, a Farrington alum, plays for the University of the Pacific. She was named to the Big West Preseason All-Conference team.

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