Leading By Example

Published 9:00 pm Monday, February 26, 2007

EVERETT – Who is Keahi Cordeiro?

Opposing coaches don’t spend much time pondering that question when they scout the Mariner High School boys basketball team.

But to truly understand Mariner, one should know about Cordeiro.

The 5-foot-7 senior wing, a first-year varsity player, has scored just 11 points this season. But, according to his coach, Cordeiro inspires those around him by staying committed to the team and providing leadership despite his role as an unheralded backup and a tumultuous childhood.

Cordeiro is a young man whose mom gave birth to him when she was 14, who hasn’t seen his dad in 11 years and who bounced around from school to school throughout his adolescence.

“A kid coming from his background, basically not having had a solid home background, could be a kid that has a big chip on his shoulder,” Mariner coach Dexter Griffen said. “A lot of times kids like that could have a behavior problem in the classroom.”

But not this kid.

“He’s always got a smile on his face. He never uses his misfortune as a crutch,” Griffen said.

Cordeiro will take his resilient attitude to the Tacoma Dome this week as Mariner (14-8) competes in the Class 4A state tournament. The youthful Marauders face an imposing first-round test Wednesday against defending champion Franklin (21-2), ranked No. 1 in Class 4A by WashingtonPreps.com.

Two freshmen and two sophomores start for Mariner, which is considered a major underdog. Franklin has won 19 straight games and outscores opponents by an average of 20 points.

Making its first state appearance since 2002, Mariner faces an imposing task. But to see an example of how to approach a daunting test, the Marauders need look no further than Cordeiro.

For most of his life, Cordeiro has lived with his grandmother, Dorbett Bagor. Because Cordeiro’s mom had him at such a young age, Bagor agreed to raise Cordeiro.

Cordeiro stays in touch with his mom, who lives in Texas, but since age 6 he hasn’t seen or heard from his dad, Bagor said.

When he’s not playing hoops, studying or hanging out with friends, Cordeiro takes care of his grandma. Bagor, 61, suffers from diabetes and kidney failure. She also has neuropathy in her feet, a nerve disease resulting from diabetes that causes numbness and severely hinders her balance.

During the day Bagor gets help from a state-assigned caretaker, but in the evening Cordeiro chips in, reaching things Bagor can’t, tidying their apartment and making sure she’s comfortable.

“I don’t have to worry about him. He’s been a good kid,” Bagor said.

Cordeiro has endured a lot of disappointment in life, Bagor said, but basketball keeps him going.

“It’s so much a part of his life,” she said.

Cordeiro enjoys being part of a Mariner squad that overcame a 3-5 start and genuinely shares its success. “Everybody’s part of the team. When we win, it’s a team (victory),” he said.

Cordeiro’s dedication to the team, amid so many personal challenges, provides a big boost.

“Even though he doesn’t play a lot, he still makes great contributions because, one, he’s a leader,” coach Griffen said. “Two, he’s just an inspiration to the kids because everybody knows his situation and yet he comes to practice every day, busts his butt and never has a bad attitude.”

“(Cordeiro) doesn’t play a lot, but anybody who’s a player or a part of the team helps out,” Mariner senior Trevor Peterson said. “They’re there for support.”

Even if Cordeiro doesn’t play against Franklin, he will continue to set a positive example.

Said Griffen: “He makes the most of what he has and doesn’t complain.”