Hawaii Beat
Star-Bulletin staff
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Punahou keeps the crown
Punahou collected all 17 first-place votes to remain No. 1 in the boys Star-Bulletin Top 10 poll. The Buffanblu didn't play last week, but a 53-52 win over Iolani in the James Alegre Invitational sealed their stay at No. 1 for the time being.
Punahou's tournament will begin on Thursday with an eight-team field that includes four mainland schools.
Hot hoopsters
Only four of the Star-Bulletin's top 10 boys basketball teams played last week. They will all be tested when preseason tournaments begin this week:
No. School |
LW |
Year |
4. KS-Hawaii |
3-0 |
7-0 |
5. Kamehameha |
2-0 |
6-2 |
7. Moanalua |
2-1 |
6-4 |
8. Konawaena |
2-1 |
8-1 |
UFC gives Penn shot at title
The UFC 80: Rapid Fire main event between Hilo's BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson in Newcastle, England, on Jan. 19 will be for the undisputed world lightweight (155-pound) championship.
The bout was originally scheduled to be for an interim title as champion Sean Sherk was awaiting word on a hearing to appeal his one-year suspension for testing positive for the banned substance Nandrolone after a fight against Hermes Franca in July.
Sherk's suspension was reduced to six months on Dec. 4, and the UFC decided to strip him of the belt.
Turbin selected to lead Occidental
Former Punahou athlete Derek Turbin was named to lead Occidental College's cross country team recently.
Turbin, a 2002 graduate, finished second twice at the Hawaii State Track and Field Championships in the triple jump and played football in the Hula Bowl last year. He was the assistant cross country coach at Occidental last season, helping the program to a second-place finish in the Western Region.
Hayashi, Ching qualify for Sony Open
Kevin Hayashi qualified for the 2008 Sony Open by defeating GolfTec Honolulu's John Lynch.
Hayashi, the teaching professional at the Mauna Kea Resort, beat Lynch with a bogey on the second playoff hole.
With the win, Hayashi secured the only spot for Aloha Section PGA members. Hayashi shot a 1-over 73 to tie with Lynch and force the playoff.
For the only amateur spot, 17-year-old Alex Ching beat 13-year old Lorens Chan on the second playoff hole.
Pan Pacific soccer tickets on sale
Tickets for the inaugural Pan Pacific Soccer Championship, featuring David Beckham and Kamehameha graduate Brian Ching, are available to the general public beginning today at 9 a.m.
Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster retail outlets and the Aloha Stadium box office. The four-team tournament to be held at Aloha Stadium begins Feb. 20, with the championship and third-place games set for Feb. 23.
The Los Angeles Galaxy are matched up with Gamba Osaka of the Japan League in the opener, while the Houston Dynamo will meet a yet to be determined member of the Australian Hyundai A-League in the nightcap.
Each ticket will allow fans to attend both games on that day and range between $10 and $60.
For more information, visit www.PPChampionship.net or call Ticketmaster at (877)-750-4400.
[ Pacwest place ]
Kolaric leads 'Swords to win
Chaminade big man Marko Kolaric scored 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds as the Silverswords edged Lee 92-91 last night at McCabe Gym.
Chaminade improves to 4-3 and plays again tomorrow against Alaska-Anchorage.
» BYUH senior guard Paul Peterson was named the PacWest Player of the Week yesterday. Peterson led the Seasiders past Tampa last week with 32 points. In that game, he was 11-for-16 from the field and dished out eight assists.
Oklahoma Panhandle beats BYUH
The BYUH women's basketball team lost to Oklahoma Panhandle 86-66 yesterday in the Hoop 'N' Surf Tournament.
The Seasiders had four players in double digits, led by freshman Richelle Fenenbock with 16 points.
Fenenbock was followed by Amanda Watts with 15 and Agnes Tuilevka and Hoku Holdcraft with 12. Both Fenenbock and Holdcraft hit four 3-pointers. The Seasiders outscored Oklahoma Panhandle 41-39 in the second half, but could not overcome a first-half deficit of 45-25.
» Hawaii-Hilo lost to College of the Ozarks 95-80 yesterday.
The Vulcans were led by Ashley Kualii, Nesha Kimitete and Sheila Azevedo, all with 14 points. With the loss, the Vulcans fell to 0-5, while College of the Ozarks improved to 11-0.
The Vulcans made a small comeback in the second half, outscoring College of the Ozarks 52-49 in the final 20 minutes.