Pete Smith may have left this Earth way too soon, but now his Kalaheo basketball legacy will be permanently memorialized on the gym floor where he built it.

The hardwood surface at Kalaheo Gym was officially renamed "Peter Smith Court" during a Nov. 29 dedication ceremony immediately before the Mustangs played Punahou's Division II team in the opening round of the Pete Smith Holiday Classic.

Smith, who built a boys basketball dynasty at Kalaheo from 1984 until 2003, died in October 2006 at the age of 52. He had been in poor health since suffering stroke-like effects after colon cancer surgery Oct. 31, 2003.

Smith guided the Mustangs to the state tournament in each of his 18 seasons as coach from 1983 to 1988 and 1990 to 2003, and brought home three state championships and 14 O'ahu Interscholastic Association titles.

But he was revered throughout the state not just for his hugely successful program, but also for his low-key and warm personality, which was reflected in his teams.

The court dedication drew attention to a freshly painted logo on each side of the court, featuring a large basketball with "COACH PETE" and his autograph stretched across. Above it, the block lettering reads, "PETER SMITH COURT".

"I think it's great," said Alika Smith, Pete's middle son who was a three-time Advertiser All-State first-team selection while playing for his father from 1990 to 1994. "He touched so many people's lives, and not just basketball players or athletes. He inspired students who didn't play any sports, helped a lot of kids get their diploma."

Former longtime Kalaheo athletic director Lee Cashman, who hired Pete Smith to take over the boys basketball program in 1983, said seeing Smith's name permanently etched onto the court made him feel good.

"Very proud, very appropriate," Cashman said. "And I'm glad we did this right away. It brings back good memories, and I'm sure Pete is smiling up there."

Cashman said it was important to have Smith's name inscribed in the gym as a lasting reminder to future players and fans.

"Pete was always here, he was always available to the kids," Cashman said. "Now, even kids 10, 15 years from now will look at that (logo) and know who he is. It's very fitting."

During the ceremony, Kalaheo principal James Schlosser described Smith as "an example of excellence in coaching and administration."

"He inspired the community," Schlosser said. "To say Pete was a great, winning basketball coach is an understatement; he was also a great, winning person."

Smith's family — wife Stacey and sons Alika, Josh and Kea — then was presented with framed photographs of the logo.

"It's perfect," said Mustangs coach Chico Furtado, who was Smith's top assistant for 13 seasons from 1990 to 2003. "He built this tradition of Kalaheo basketball, the championships and the legacy of players. With this court named after him, he will always be a part of this program.

"And as long as I'm here, I'll make sure everybody knows who is responsible for all the success we have had."

Read Wes Nakama's blog on prep sports at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.