Walter Marciel, who guided tiny Academy of the Pacific into Division I boys basketball prominence the past two seasons, has been named head coach at Kailua High School.

Marciel, who grew up in Kailua and was an assistant under legendary Kalaheo coach Pete Smith for two decades, takes over for longtime Surfriders coach Tim Harrison, who stepped down this past summer.

"I live five minutes away from the school, and this gives me an opportunity to give back to my hometown community," said Marciel, who also coached youth basketball and Pop Warner football in Kailua. "I had a great time at AOP, though it was short-lived, but now I'm excited to come back to Kailua and give my full energy to this program."

Academy of the Pacific, which reached the Hawaiian Airlines DI State Championship semifinals in 2010 and the quarterfinals last season, dropped basketball for this coming season due to a lack of players.

Marciel said his three assistant coaches -- Rocky Sauer, Keli'i Tilton and Kainoa Scheer -- also live in Kailua.

Kailua will host an eight-team tournament Dec. 5-8 featuring perennial powers 'Iolani and Mililani, and will also participate in the Pete Smith and Punahou tournaments.