He’s a jumping Jack, a big duke, and he’s only getting better.
Jack Deuchar is already off to a great senior year. The 6-foot-7 senior from Punahou signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at USC next season. Deuchar made it official on Wednesday morning at the signing ceremony hosted by Education 1st at the Sheraton Waikiki.
“It’s super cool, the Trojan family. They’re super tight-knit so I’m excited to be part of the team next year,” said Deuchar, who wore a black USC hoodie. “Coming from an island school, it’s kind of weird to think about leaving, but I’m excited.”
Deuchar was the pivotal force for the Buffanblu last spring, a consistent weapon who finished No. 2 in the Star-Advertiser All-State Fab 15 last season as a junior.
Punahou finished second during the ILH regular season, then swept Castle and third-seeded Kamehameha-Hawaii to reach the semifinal round.
A gangly, smooth outside hitter, Deuchar connected on 13 kills (.333) and hustled for a team-high six digs in the win over Castle. In the three-set win over KS-Hawaii, Deuchar had team-highs of 12 kills (.391) and eight digs, plus an ace.
Playing in Moanalua’s gym, Punahou rallied for a five-set semifinal win behind Deuchar’s 22 kills (.375), six digs and ace.
Punahou (16-4) then closed out the tourney with a four-set victory over top seed ‘Iolani. Deuchar tallied 17 kills (.286) and three digs as the Buffanblu claimed their eighth consecutive state championship trophy.
USC was 18-11 last season, including 7-5 in the tough MPSF. The Trojans lost in the conference final to Pepperdine, then fell against Lewis in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
For now, Deuchar is preparing for senior season, which is in the spring. The hoodie looks quite comfortable on him. Or he looks quite comfortable in in the hoodie.
“I wear it at least a couple times a week,” he said.
So… he wasn’t all-state player of the year in the star advertiser. That was Max Slaughter, but I’m not sure he deserved that award. I would’ve expected Deuchar or ‘Iolani’s Browne to have taken that. I guess the media really knows a thing or two about volleyball that normal people don’t to have favored Slaughter’s 20+ kills on mediocre OIA teams over Deuchar, Browne, or maybe even Togiai’s true athleticism that shone with brilliance in the ILH.
Word!