THE University of Hawaii's inspirational basketball victory over No. 2-ranked Kansas for the Rainbow Classic championship on the second-to-last day of 1997 saved an otherwise downer of a sports year. Hawaii-Kansas tilt was
among class acts of ’97In 1997, the toy department's headlines were dominated by drownings, bitings and chokings (the real kind and the losing-in-the-last-minute kind). But the Rainbows' 76-65 victory was a great example of why many of us follow sports: to see people overcome myriad obstacles, be they injuries, doubts, history -- not to mention talented opponents -- to work together and achieve a seemingly insurmountable goal.
You don't have to be a fan to admire what was accomplished Tuesday night. Kansas coach Roy Williams, living up to his reputation as one of the classiest people in sports, made it a point to sincerely acknowledge what coach Riley Wallace and the Rainbows have done in building a 10-1 record -- and what they could be on the verge of.
It was also a nice touch when Williams had his team stand up and acknowledge the Rainbows as they received their first-place awards minutes after the game.
As they have throughout the past two seasons, the Hawaii backcourt stars led the way. Dick Vitale, the king of hyperbole, says Alika Smith and Anthony Carter are the best guard tandem in the nation. Probably not true. Arizona's Miles Simon and Mike Bibby have a national championship to their credit. But as athletes and people, Smith and Carter are among the most inspirational around.
Apologies to Darryl Gabriel, David Hallums, Jarinn Akana and George Puou, but Smith is without a doubt the best Hawaii-raised college basketball player of the past 20 years.
SMITH, the kind of guy who tells kids thank you when he signs autographs for them, humbly acknowledges that being one of the Rainbows' top players is all the more thrilling to him because of his local roots.
When the Kalaheo Kid scored 22 points in the season-opening victory over Indiana and then again against Kansas, it was not only for himself, his teammates and his fans. It was also for every local kid who was on the wrong end of an 84-35 score in the Iolani Classic. For every kid from Hawaii who was told he was too small or too slow to play basketball.
Betcha there are dozens more kids right now out shooting baskets by themselves in driveways and parks from Hanapepe to Hawaii Kai to Hilo than there would be if not for Smith's performance Tuesday night.
Then there's Carter. These days, when dogs like Allen Iverson who could be great point guards and leaders would rather shoot the ball than pass it and win games, Carter is a breath of fresh air.
He's also an underdog. Carter dropped out of high school in Atlanta. After being discovered on a playground, he passed an equivalency exam for his diploma, and graduated from community college before coming to Hawaii.
And lest you think Carter is here just to play basketball and get ready for the NBA, check his grade point average: 3.62.
ONLY time will tell if Smith's toe and Carter's shoulder hold up under the rigors of the Western Athletic Conference schedule to come. Hawaii is a legitimate Top 25 team. But either player injured will be trouble.
The good stories of 1997 had sour endings. Honolulu got its first taste of Major League baseball, but now we hear it won't be back next spring. The Rainbow football team battled Notre Dame even, only to lose in the final minute.
And it was the end of the road for great local athletes like Sid Fernandez and Salevaa Atisanoe. Jesse Sapolu and Mark Tuinei are probably done, too.
The year that gave us Tiger Woods also forced upon us Mike Tyson, Marv Albert, and Latrell Sprewell.
Maybe a year from now we'll be counting the Rainbows in the Sweet 16 as one of many happy stories to look back upon.
Dave Reardon is a magazine editor and freelance
writer who has covered Hawaii sports since 1977.
He can be reached via the Star-Bulletin or
by email at dreardon@hmsa.com.
