Aug. 23, 2006
Honolulu, HI- Chaminade Men's Basketball experienced new heights in 2005-06. In 2006-07 some of that experience has left, but new faces have joined the Silversword family.
Joining the Swords this year are Darrell Birton, Sean Caddell, James Francisco, Mike Green, Hayden Heiber, Dan Wendt and Kelly Wesley.
Birton, a 5'11 junior guard from San Jose, CA was a member of the state runner-up West Valley Vikings coached by Danny Yoshikawa. Darrell was named a first team All-State selection as well as First Team All Coast-South. Birton led West Valley in scoring, averaging 13.6 points per game, including 92 made three pointers.
Caddell, a 6'6 freshman forward from Brentwood, NY comes to Chaminade after completing his time with the US Navy. Sean is expected to compete for minutes in the frontcourt.
Francisco, a 6'3 junior guard from Chula Vista, CA starred for Cuyamaca College and Coach Rob Wojtkowski. James averaged 17.8 points per contest while shooting 37% from three, along with 3.6 rebounds per contest. Francisco was a First Team Pacific Coast Conference selection.
Green, a 6'1 junior guard from Corvallis, OR joins the Swords from UC-Irvine in Irvine, CA. Prior to UC-Irvine, Green played for Coach Rusty Blair at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, CA. Mike led the conference in scoring (19.4ppg) while being named team MVP and first team all-league.
Heiber, a 6'2 junior guard from Red Bluff, CA starred the past two years for Coach Kele Fitzhugh at Shasta College. Hayden led Shasta in scoring at 17.3 points per contest while shooting 80% from the line and 43% from the arc. These stats were good for a First Team All Golden Valley Conference selection.
Wendt, a 6'7 junior forward from San Jose, CA played at West Valley under Head Coach Danny Yoshikawa. Dan averaged 7.3 points per game while making 55 threes on the year.
Wesley, a 6'6 junior forward from San Francisco, CA played for Coach Derrick Dominichelli at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, CA. As a sophomore, Kelly averaged 7 points to go along with 6 rebounds playing through injury. During his freshman year, Wesley averaged 10 points and 7 rebounds per contest.
Returning from the 2005-06 Pac West Champions are Zack Whiting (1st team All Pac West and 2nd team All-West Region), along with major contributors Stewart Kussler and Marko Kolaric. Also returning off a season ending injury is junior guard Ryan Hirata.
Chaminade tips off the season in the 23rd annual EA Sports Maui Invitational. The Silverswords are set to face 2006 national runner-up, UCLA at 6:30 PM Hawaii Time live on ESPN2.
