Wes Masua, who helped lead Mid-Pacific's girls intermediate basketball team to the league title this past season, has been named head coach of the girls varsity team, the school announced today.

Masuda takes over for Byron Cheng, who coached the girls varsity team for five years.

"We decided to look for the new coach in-house," said MPI Athletic Director Jo Ito. "Coach Wes and coach Darin (Uetake) have been extremely loyal to our program and they deserved the first consideration. They have a combined 30-plus years of coaching experience in our program and know the varsity team very well; in fact, they coached many of the girls at the Intermediate level. Their role-model behavior is second to none and I look forward to watching the positive effect they will have on the team."

Masuda coached the MPI Intermediate team for 17 years and won the Interscholastic League of Honolulu title this past season. He is a teacher at Ka'elepulu Elementary School and will be working in the MPI summer school. Uetake will be Masuda's assistant coach. Darin works at Pauoa Elementary School and has coached MPI Intermediate basketball teams for 18 years.

Masuda will assume a team with many returnees, including post players, Keaton McFadden and Jenna Savusa, and guard/forwards Ashley Yamachika and Jordan Kealoha. All are seniors except for Yamachika, who will be an incoming junior. Most of the MPI nucleus have been together since they were freshman and are on the cusp of being a contender in the ILH.

"We want to thank coach Byron and his coaching staff for their dedication to the MPI basketball program and the athletic program in general," Ito said. "Coach Byron was always the first person in the gym and the last person to leave after practices and games. His professional approach and never ending commitment to develop our players will surely be missed."

"Although it was a tough decision for us to step down, we decided that it was time to move on," Cheng said in a press-release statement. "We want to thank all of those who've supported the program over the years, but especially the former players and coaches who've dedicated their blood, sweat and tears over the years. They were an intricate part in building the program. We will miss all of the young ladies in the program and will root for them in the exciting years to come. We will be their biggest fans and they will always be a part of our hearts. In addition, we're happy for Wes Masuda and wish him only the best."