It’s Aloha Friday and there is plenty to talk about, so rather than choosing just one item, here is a pupu platter to help satisfy your sports appetite. • The Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors saw its men’s basketball season come to an
It’s Aloha Friday and there is plenty to talk about, so rather than choosing just one item, here is a pupu platter to help satisfy your sports appetite.
• The Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors saw its men’s basketball season come to an end Wednesday night in a 69-65 loss to Air Force in the opening round of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.
Gib Arnold’s squad ended the season losing its final four games and six of its last eight, but still compiled a 17-15 record. This was a much different team than last season’s veteran group, which saw a number of graduates and transfers, but the ‘Bows worked through some early-season issues to find an identity. Now the building continues for next season and the name to keep an eye on is forward Isaac Fotu, who had a great freshman season. He capped it with a 24-point (10-14 FG), nine-rebound performance Wednesday. He’s also a great follow on Twitter (@Ifotu42), with a seemingly never-ending obsession with poke bowls.
• A shout-out to young Kaua‘i surfers Tatiana Weston-Webb, Brianna Cope and Koa Smith, who had terrific showings on O‘ahu at the 2013 Pipe Pro Junior last week. Weston-Webb, 16, has had early success at women’s Pipeline contests, winning the 2011 Women’s Pipe Pro at the age of 14. She continued that trend with this prestigious championship. Cope, 18, followed her with a runner-up finish, giving Kaua‘i the top two spots on the podium. Smith, 18, added to his collection of hardware, grabbing second place in the Junior Men’s event.
• University of Colorado sophomore Pierce Murphy, who holds just about every KIF distance-running record and has his name in the HHSAA state track record book, took first place for the Buffaloes in the Men’s 3000 Meters at The Jerry Quiller Classic this weekend in Boulder, Colo. Competing as a redshirt freshman, Murphy finished with a time of 8 minutes, 35.56 seconds. The Hanalei native also received All-Pac 12 Second Team honors during this past fall’s cross-country season. He was the only frosh to receive a men’s all-conference nod.
• One quick note to self: There are few certainties in this world, especially regarding the NCAA Tournament, but two of them seem to be to never trust Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon and to always trust Butler head coach Brad Stevens. Someone please remind me of this next year.
Happy Aloha Friday and continue to enjoy all the madness!
• ‘My Thoughts Exactly’ appears Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays in The Garden Island. Email David Simon your comments or questions to dsimon@thegardenisland.com.
