Veterans show stuff
in semifinals

By Dave Reardon
Special to the Star-Bulletin

The music last night at Palama Settlement -- stuff like Earth, Wind & Fire and The Police -- was like the basketball players. Old, but still pretty good.

"I'm 27, but I'm in a 55-year-old body," said former University of Hawaii forward Tim Shepherd, after he helped the Leeward Lightning beat the Makai Hurricanes, 86-76, in the first semifinal game of the Pacific Basketball League playoffs. Shepherd scored nine points, and five teammates were in double figures.

In the other semifinal, the Mauka Boars beat the Honolulu Alii, 57-50. Another former 'Bow, Chris Walz, led Mauka with 17 points.

The Lightning and Boars meet Saturday night at 8:30 at Blaisdell Arena for the league championship. Makai and Honolulu will play for third place at 6.

The Leeward-Makai game was close until the Lightning struck with a 12-0 run that made the score 70-57 with 5:45 left.

Former Chaminade star George Gilmore, the PBL scoring leader, led Makai with 28 points, but he was slowed down in the second half.

"They played us tougher in the second half," Gilmore said. "They used their quickness and double-teamed me."

Schofield soldier Greg Owens led Leeward with 20 points. Bert Woodard added 12, Perry Lam 11 and Barrett Smith and Kenny Thoms 10 each.

The second game was a foul-infested contest in which Honolulu was whistled for 23 personal fouls and Mauka 19.

Walz consistently came up with big plays for the Boars, including a 3-pointer with 4:49 left after Stephen Lorenzo put them ahead for good with a jumper at 6:08.

Forward Tony Smalley supported Walz with 16 points for Mauka. David Hallums led Honolulu with 15, followed by Tony Randolph and Marco Johnson with 10 each.