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Aguirre takes over Sabers’ girls hoops program

Aguirre

Victor Aguirre had a front-row seat to the remarkable race that took place in Maui Interscholastic League Division I girls basketball in 2020.

By being named the Maui High School coach on Thursday, he figures to be much more involved next season.

Aguirre resigned from Kamehameha Schools Maui after the 2020 season, ending a five-year run, and takes over the Sabers program from longtime coach Gilbert Silva and his daughter Crystal Bal. Aguirre was quick to thank Maui High athletic director Mike Ban and principal Jamie Yap for the new opportunity with the Sabers.

“I’m really excited actually,” Aguirre said. “I would really like to thank Mike Ban and Mr. Yap, they’re really energized about it, so it feels good, it feels right.”

Aguirre coaches eight current Sabers on his club team, the Sparks, including returning MIL All-Stars Kayla Thornton, a first-teamer, and second-teamers Leiana Thornton and Makena Stevenson — the Thorntons are twins and that entire trio are all rising juniors.

Kayla Thornton of Maui High School dribbles past King Kekaulike’s Kreyajan Pahukoa on Jan. 30. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

“I coach a lot of those girls during the summer, so there’s a big familiarity with them,” Aguirre said. “And a lot of the parents and the people I know on the outside of the program, it’s just really exciting. It feels right.”

Maui High lost just one senior this season, Kylenna Rieta, off a team that finished 9-3 in the MIL regular season and had shots in three of their final four games to clinch a state berth that did not materialize.

“Coach Aguirre is a passionate coach that will inspire our athletes to be successful on and off the court,” Ban said in a press release. “We believe Coach Aguirre will develop a culture that will elevate the Maui High Girls Basketball Program.”

Aguirre said “there’s a lot” of sadness leaving Kamehameha Maui.

“They’re great kids,” he said. “I think it was just time to leave. I’m grateful for everything they did up there.”

Aguirre is excited about the talent returning for the Sabers.

“One through 12, they’re pretty solid,” Aguirre said.

The move makes sense for Aguirre logistically. He works for his grandfather and father’s construction company in Waikapu and lives in Kihei.

“I told Mike and Mr. Yap it’s perfect lifestyle-wise,” Aguirre said. “My work, it’s just five minutes away from Maui High. … From that perspective, it’s awesome. There’s a lot of girls on the team from Kihei, a lot of JV kids too, so hopefully I can work them into what we’d like to be, too. I always liked those Kihei kids.”

Maui High has just three rising seniors on its current roster — several people see Kayla Thornton as a possible NCAA Division I talent, including Aguirre’s daughter Ashley Peralta, who is heading to NCAA D-II Humboldt State this fall after a standout career at Wenatchee Valley (Wash.) Junior College.

With the Warriors, Aguirre coached Kimani Fernandez, who is currently a key player for NCAA D-II power Alaska Anchorage.

“She totally sees Kayla as a D-I talent,” Aguirre said of his daughter’s evaluation. “Kayla and Kimani are the two best athletes I have ever coached. Kimani’s a different level of athlete, but Kayla’s more of a basketball athlete. … You can’t compare them because they play different positions, but the way they run and jump is just so effortless.”

Lahainaluna won its 16th straight MIL crown in 2020, although the Lunas’ 164-game MIL winning streak was snapped. King Kekaulike finished second, grabbing a state berth with two late wins over the Sabers.

Lahainaluna loses no seniors from its 2020 roster, while King Kekaulike said goodbye to just two.

“I love it — all those years when it was KS vs. Lahainaluna, the other schools, they played their hardest, but record-wise and talent-wise, it was Lahainaluna and Kamehameha, it was pretty much going to be those two — that was exciting,” Aguirre said. “I talk to (Lahainaluna coach) Todd (Rickard) a lot. A competitive MIL makes the teams ready for the state tournament.

“It’s going to be fun.”

* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com.

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