[ UH BASKETBALL ]
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii's Matt Lojeski threw down the winning dunk during the slam-dunk competion at last night's Twilight Ohana.
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UH dresses up
Hawaii's basketball programs had a little fun before getting down to business
The name and time of the event may have changed, but not the fun and festivities that kicked off the college basketball seasons for the Hawaii men's and women's teams.
The "Night of the Stars" was an evening filled with intense competition, from who had the most outlandish costume (Rainbow Wahine coach Jim Bolla as Dog Chapman) to who had the most outrageous dunk (newcomer Matt Lojeski).
Last night's "Twilight Ohana" at the Stan Sheriff Center was a chance for both the Rainbow Warriors and Rainbow Wahine to enjoy the spotlight without being blinded by it.
Although the real pressure comes today with the first official practice, there was some pride on the line in the 3-point and slam-dunk contests watched by an estimated 3,000.
After losing their 3-point shooting title to the men last year, the Wahine regained it when senior Amy Sanders outshot newcomer Lojeski 15-13.
Lojeski redeemed himself by becoming the surprise winner of the dunk contest. His winning jam included jumping over his roommate John Wilder and slamming back a rebound off the backboard.
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii men's coach Riley Wallace appeared as Hannibal Lecter during last night's festivities.
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"I was a little nervous out there," said Lojeski, a junior transfer from Eastern Wyoming College. "I was surprised (losing the 3-point contest) and had to redeem myself. I don't do a lot of dunking and I thought that Julian (Sensley) or John (Wilder) would win it."
Sensley, a senior, and Wilder, a transfer from Weatherford (Texas) College, were eliminated in the first round of the dunk-off. Lojeski then beat out Salt Lake (Utah) Community College transfer Ahmet Gueye in the final.
In the men's team's scrimmage, Sensley scored 13 points to lead the Green to a 38-33 victory over the White.
In the women's scrimmage, the Green defeated the White 33-20, getting nine points each from Brittney Aiwohi and Saundra Cariaga. Sanders led the White with six points
The player introductions were done by former Wahine player Milia Macfarlane, who traded her Catwoman suit from last year for a red evening gown worthy of Oscar consideration. The players and coaches were dressed as their favorite movie characters, actors, singers and rap artists.
Impressive as TLC were Wahine Janevia Taylor, Cassidy Chretien and Alofa Toiaivao. Bobby Nash showed off the best moves as P. Diddy but was nearly upstaged by his father, associate head coach Bob Nash, doing a "Chicken Dance" while dressed as a character from the movie "Chicken Little."
Hannibal Lecter (men's coach Riley Wallace) was happy by both the change of starting time, from midnight to 9 p.m., and the NCAA rule that has allowed coaches to work with the entire team for 2 hours per week. Previously, coaches were limited to working with groups of no more than four players at a time.
"For a team like we have this year, with many new players and freshmen, it's a real advantage," Wallace said. "We've already got half of our offense in and the guys are getting a good feel for it. This way, the guys don't have to learn so much at once and you don't burn them out early. For the first time, they could actually call a play and run it (in the scrimmage). It's still fun and games. By going earlier, we'll have a better practice (today)."
Star-Bulletin reporter Jason Kaneshiro contributed to this story