Behind Chung, Kalani’s basketball team showing signs of success

When the Kalani Falcons hang out, they tend to bond more.

After a preseason game at Waianae, they arranged to stay on the Leeward Coast at a beach house. Point guard Max Pepe got to show off his kendama skills. Their center, Brandon Chung, wasn’t bad, either. He’s been practicing on his 15 kendamas for years.

“I’ve got a lot of them,” Chung said, signing through his interpreter, Danny Gong. “I suck now, but I used to be real good.”

It is such bonding, communicating and teamwork that’s become the hallmark of this year’s Falcons.

Chung is averaging nearly 10 points per game, a good fit in a quick, but patient Kalani offense. His length at 6 feet 2 and steady toughness on defense are essential for a relatively small team.

“He’s always calm. He’s a pleasure to coach,” Falcons interim coach Everett Frye said. “He’s really ahead of his time, so it’s easy for him to catch on. All his teammates have their way of communicating with him.”

That necessity has led to a development in Kalani’s communication from the bench to the court, thanks to Chung and Gong. If the noise level gets too loud anywhere, the Falcons are prepared.

“Every play we have has a different sign for it, so everybody had to learn it,” Frye said. “It’s a blessing in disguise.”

He’s a low-key guy by daytime at the Hawaii School for the Deaf and Blind.

“Among his peers, Brandon is just another student on campus. He always exhibits the aloha spirit,” school principal Dr. Angel Ramos said. “His success on the basketball court has encouraged other students to join the football and track teams (at Kalani). Brandon is an excellent example of how we provide HSDB students a chance to learn and succeed in both the deaf world and hearing world.”

Chung was 2 years old when he suffered a high fever, and then lost his hearing. He later underwent cochlear implant surgery and can hear fairly well in his left ear. It has helped in every way, from school to sports to communicating with family and friends, but even the things most people take for granted, Chung appreciates much more.

“I like the ‘Maze Runner’ movies. I’m so emotionally into that movie,” he said. “I’ll go to the movie theater and I can catch some of the words. When it comes out on the DVD version, I can get the whole story. It’s good to see the teamwork between all the characters, and it’s good to see an Asian actor taking the lead to work together and escape the maze.”

Real life can be a maze, too. On the court, Chung hasn’t done it alone. Pepe is the floor leader with the ball, orchestrating a disciplined spread offense. Kapaa Nishimura, now a 6-2 senior, has transformed from a shoot-first wing into one of the state’s most versatile players. He had 16 points and five assists against Roosevelt in the OIA Division II title game, and Isaiah Lee slashed for 13 points.

Chung? He was a freshman just one year ago, playing on the JV team, finding his niche. He was, arguably still slightly better at kendama than basketball back then. He spent the summer back on Maui with his club team, the Kahului Falcons.

“I worked out a lot. And I ate more Hawaiian food,” he said.

“Laulau, kalua pig. There’s a place called Poi by the Pound in Kahului.”

Chung returned to the dormitory at HSDB — the campus is in Kalani’s district — with a little more pep and plenty of confidence. Frye and his staff added Chung to the varsity roster and he delivered — near the bucket.

Last Wednesday night against Roosevelt, Chung delivered every time he touched the ball. He scored one basket in the first half. When the second half began, the Falcons looked for him in the post.

Quick release, swish. Another entry pass, bounce, up quickly, all net. One more time, two quick dribbles to narrow the distance from 10 feet to 4 feet and splash.

Chung didn’t waste time. Efficient. Precise. Unassuming. He was atop a lighthouse on that post, a sniper who did his work quickly before the defense had time to double-team him. He finished the game 6-for-6 from the field, scoring 13 points — the only blemish was one missed free throw — as Kalani fought off Roosevelt 61-52 to repeat as champions.

“For this year, I told him to dominate 6 feet and in,” Frye said. “But he already has the game to stretch. With his body size, I want him inside more than outside.”

The work is far from done for both the Falcons and Chung. They went 8-2 in the OIA East, beating eventual D-I champion Kalaheo. Kalani (13-4 overall) is the No. 2 seed in the Snapple/HHSAA Boys Basketball D-II State Championships, which begins Wednesday. Just like Chung, the Falcons aren’t soaring too high or too low.

“I really like his work ethic and how humble he is,” Frye said. “He’s relentless. He’s a hard worker and it shows when he plays on the court. He doesn’t get too down on himself and he’s even-keeled. Kind of a Kawhi Leonard kind of emotions.”

Roosevelt coach Steve Hathaway saw his team battle hard after falling behind by nine points in the first half, but Chung helped Kalani grow its lead.

“He’s a good back-to-the-hoop player with very good post moves. He doesn’t get flashy and finished strong around the rim,” Hathaway said. “Strong kid.”

Chung said his grade-point average is 3.355. In a month, Chung will get to represent HSDB in another type of competition: a Gallaudet University Academic Bowl. The West Coast Regional will be in Irvine, Calif.

“We practice for that by studying,” he said.