Some players measure a season by stats. For Shawnee’s Angel Tehauno, the measurement is much simpler: progress. He sums up his mindset in one sentence— “My personal goal this season is just to improve every day. I want to grow in all areas of my game, stay consistent, and get better each time I step on the court.” That commitment has shaped the tone of his year.
Inside the locker room, Shawnee’s culture is still developing, and Tehauno is honest about that process. “Our team morale is improving. We’re still working on our attitude, character, and staying locked in.” But with each practice and game, the Wolves continue to take steps in the right direction.
The biggest leap so far has come on one end of the floor. “The biggest improvement I’ve seen is on the defensive end. We’ve gotten stronger, more focused, and we’re communicating a lot better.” Angel sees defense as the foundation that everything else grows from—and it’s showing.
Their team goals are ambitious, but they’re built on daily discipline. “A big goal for us is building mental toughness and staying locked in at all times. We’re also working on reducing turnovers and playing more disciplined basketball. We’re holding each other accountable and pushing each other in practice.”
While they continue to refine their game, their greatest weapon is something that doesn’t require skill at all. “Right now, our biggest strength is our effort. When we play hard and stay together, we’re tough to beat.”
Tehauno plays multiple roles depending on the matchup— “I play guard, shooting guard, forward.” Reading defenses is part of what helps him be effective at all three spots: “When I read a defense, the first thing I look for is whether they’re in man or zone. That tells me where the gaps are and how I need to attack.”
His preparation is just as intentional. “I prepare by keeping my body ready, staying conditioned, stretching, hydrating, and making sure I warm up the right way so I can play at a high level the whole game.”
And when the lights come on, his mentality never wavers. “My mindset is to compete, play hard, and do whatever it takes to help my team win.”
He hopes Shawnee remembers him the way he remembers the players he admired growing up. “I want my legacy to be that I was the hardest-working person in the gym… someone who showed up every day and gave everything for his team.”
Most people never see the grind, but he doesn’t mind. “A lot of the grind happens when nobody’s watching.”
At 5’10” and in his junior year, Angel Tehauno continues to grow as a key contributor for Shawnee, but he makes it clear who he plays for first: “First and foremost, I want to give all glory and praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Tehauno is a member of the National Honor Society and focuses solely on basketball, posting 4.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, 0.4 steals, and 0.4 assists per game, while shooting 31.5% from the field, 27.5% from three, and 40% at the line. After high school, he plans to attend college and pursue a career connected to sports—whether that’s physical therapy, sports medicine, or health and wellness—anything that keeps him close to athletics. Tehauno also carries a message beyond the court, speaking directly to those who look like him and share his roots: “To all my Indigenous youth out there, keep working hard toward your goals and never give up on yourself. Our paths aren’t always easy, but our culture and resilience run deep. Keep pushing, stay focused, and believe in your future because you can achieve it.”
