Even during his six-year retirement, Tony Sellitto never stopped keeping a close eye on Hawai'i's high school boys basketball talent.

And what he saw made him want to return to the Hawai'i Pacific University men's coaching position even more.

"That's one of the reasons I decided to come back," said Sellitto, who returned to the job on March 3. "I always thought the local basketball players were really, really good, and they deserve a chance to play college ball here."

Sellitto lived up to his promise of bringing more Hawai'i-grown players into the Sea Warrors program by signing Advertiser All-State first team players Kameron Steinhoff of Punahou and Cheynne Lishman of Kalaheo to national letters of intent on Thursday. A third local high school product, Kawika Lyons of Kamehameha, has made a verbal commitment to join the team and attend HPU on academic scholarships.

Steinhoff, The Advertiser's State Player of the Year, was a 6-foot-4 1/2 post in high school but expects to move to shooting guard or small forward at the college level.

"I think Kameron has the potential to be terrific," said Sellitto, who under NCAA rules was not allowed to officially comment on the recruits until receiving their letters of intent. "He's one of the best local players I've seen in recent years."

Lishman is a 6-2 shooting guard.

"Cheynne is an outstanding shooter, and I think he will develop into a great all-around player," Sellitto said.

Kalaheo coach Chico Furtado said Lishman has the right attitude to improve.

"One thing Cheynne has is the passion for the game," Furtado said. "He'll do whatever it takes to get better, whether that means spending extra time in the gym or the weight room."

NCAA rules prohibit Sellitto from official comment on Lyons until he enrolls in school.

But Sellitto said he has been "totally impressed" with Hawai'i's high school talent, and also their work ethic.

"The thing about the guys we're bringing in is that they're all gym rats, you can't leave them alone," Sellitto said. "They're going to be in the gym every chance they get, and that'll help them develop 100 percent. To me, the local players are the toughest guys around, they're afraid of no one. They've always won my heart. I think they'll enjoy playing in front of their families, and I'd like to sign more (in future years)."

Read Wes' blog on prep sports at http://preptalk.honadvblogs.com.