1,000-point plateau
is news to Smith

The senior guard joins an
elite group while leading the Rainbows
to a tournament title

By Cindy Luis
Star-Bulletin

Play hard and look at the scoreboard at the end of the game.

Given that philosophy, it's no surprise that Alika Smith, a coach's son, wouldn't keep track of his career points. Smith's father didn't, either.

"I had no idea he was that close to 1,000 points," Kalaheo High School coach Pete Smith said after his son became the seventh player in University of Hawaii men's basketball history to hit the 1,000-point mark. "When we first got the press guide, we looked at the career list and knew he had an opportunity. But I didn't pay that close of attention or try to figure out when it would happen.

"I didn't know how close he was until someone from UH sports information came down before the game (Saturday) and asked if I'd give him the game ball. If I had known, I would have worn long pants. He needed four points and . . . well, you never know. But I figured he'd get his four somehow."

It happened with 7:36 left in the first half against Santa Clara on Saturday night at the Special Events Arena. Smith's first basket (following two free throws) gave him 1,000. The senior guard scored 12 more points to help boost the Rainbows over the Broncos, 81-72, in the championship of the Hawaii-Nike Festival.

Smith is the first Rainbow since Phil Lott (1,290 points, 1988-92) to score 1,000 points. The others are Chris Gaines (1,734, 1986-90); John Penebacker (1,519, 1969-73); Mel Werts (1,314, 1972-76); Tom Henderson (1,082, 1972-74); and Reggie Cross (1,013, 1987-89).

"I had no idea I was anywhere near 1,000, but it felt good that my father was on the other end of it," Smith said after Hawaii improved to 7-1. "He taught me everything I know. He was in the gym with me all the way, helping me shoot. I give all my credit to him, my family and AC for getting me there."

Anthony "AC" Carter and Smith have been connecting on passes to each other for 113 years. Carter had eight assists and a game-high 23 points Saturday. One of Carter's passes to Smith resulted in a basket off a 360-degree spin move that gave the Rainbows a 55-38 lead with 11:58 left.

"It makes me feel great that (Smith) would say that," said Carter, named to the all-tournament team along with teammates Smith and Eric Ambrozich. "As long as I've got somebody on the other end that can shoot like he can, I look forward to every trip down the court.

"Fortunately, I've also got three other guys who can put the ball in the hole. I try to look for everybody, but this guy right here (Smith) is my first option."

The Broncos knew that and set up their defense accordingly. That strategy opened the door for Ambrozich, who had his strongest overall game as a Rainbow. The 6-foot-8 forward finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and the MVP award.

"I didn't expect the award," said Ambrozich, who gave Hawaii early leads against Santa Clara and Texas Southern (on Friday). "I just go out and play as hard as I can. I'm just happy we won and got a 'W' against a tough team.

"I feel good walking out of here because everyone on our team played good. This win gives us good momentum going into the Rainbow Classic. This was a tough team whose only loss was at Kansas."

If all goes according to tournament seedings, Hawaii would face No. 2 Kansas in the Dec. 30 championship of the 34th Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic.

"That would be something, to play Indiana and Kansas in the same year," Smith said. "But we're looking forward to BYU first (Saturday). They're still our rivals. It's come down to last-second shots a few times. Hopefully, it won't come down to that."

If there has been a weakness in Hawaii's game, it's been the inability to put an opponent away. Saturday, the Rainbows led by 19 points, 63-44, with 8:53 remaining on a basket by Smith. But that was the next-to-last field goal Hawaii scored in the game.

The Broncos rallied to within seven points three times, the last time at 73-66 with 1:41 left. But the Rainbows were 6-for-8 from the free throw line in the last 68 second and Carter added a fast-break basket off a steal by Smith.

"They outplayed us and their defense extended us beyond our range," Santa Clara guard Brian Jones said. "We knew about their guards and focused on stopping them. But Ambrozich had a big game.

"If they play Kansas, it would be a good matchup. With their guard play and if Ambrozich and (Erin) Galloway step up, Hawaii can play with anyone. They didn't do anything that surprised us. But Carter and Smith . . . they're pretty damn good."

Jones fouled out after scoring a team-high 16 points. He also was named to the all-tournament team, as were Texas Southern's Randy Bolden and Houston's Galen Robinson.

Bolden scored 27 points to lead the Tigers to an 85-69 win over the Cougars. It was Texas Southern's first win in nine games. Houston came in 7-0, but left the tournament with two losses.

---

1997-98 Rainbow Men’s Basketball Schedule

http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu