SHC Names Kate Nakano Head Girls Basketball Coach

Sacred Heart Cathedral is proud to announce the appointment of Kate (Kiki) Nakano as the new Head Girls Basketball Coach. Nakano comes to SHC from University High School, where she has served as an Assistant Varsity Coach since 2025.

She helped lead University to a Bay Conference BCL West League Championship and an overall record of 18-11 (8-2 league play). As the Offensive Coordinator, she played an integral role in the team’s offensive strategy and directed scouting operations, including opponent analysis.

“Throughout my career, I have focused on building competitive, disciplined, and relationship-centered programs that empower young women to grow as leaders both on and off the court. I am eager to contribute to the continued success of SHC Athletics while helping student-athletes develop confidence, resilience, and character,” Coach Nakano said.

Before University, she was a Basketball Coach at Pinewood School in Los Altos, where she helped capture five WBAL championships, CCS Open Division Championship and multiple appearances on MaxPreps’ Top 10 in California. She also served as an Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach for junior college powerhouse City College of San Francisco.

“Coach Nakano’s track record speaks for itself. She is a winner both on and off the court. Her experience and winning attitude will be an inspiration for the players under her care,” Principal Dr. Gary Cannon said.

SHC President, Dr. Melinda Lawlor Skrade, said, “Grounded by our mission, this appointment, along with our recent head coaching hires in football and basketball, is not only an investment in the continued development of our student-athletes but also an investment in Sacred Heart Cathedral as a premier high school athletic program in the San Francisco Bay Area.”

A champion for youth development, Nakano co-founded and directs Rise Basketball AAU, a basketball program focused on developing and empowering aspiring basketball players in the Bay Area. She also served as an AAU basketball coach for Fever AAU Basketball.

Nakano holds a master’s degree in Sports Management from the University of San Francisco.