StarBulletin.com

Blackout plays havoc on area sports schedules


By

POSTED: Sunday, December 28, 2008

When the Wasilla Warriors made the trip from Alaska to Oahu, little did they know it would be a bed, breakfast and basketball experience.

The third edition of the St. Francis Merv Lopes Classic turned into an early-morning event because of Friday night's island-wide blackout.

Today's revised schedule: Kalaheo and Roosevelt resumed play at 7 a.m., followed by Wasilla and Punahou at 8 a.m., Castle and nationally ranked Campbell Hall at 9:30. Wasilla is the alma mater of former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. President-elect Barack Obama is a graduate of Punahou.

Losers-bracket games followed with major adjustments: 18-minute halves in running time. The second round of the tournament was expected to be on time.

“;We should be back on schedule by 12:30,”; tournament coordinator Sol Batoon said.

The Moanalua Prep Classic was in the middle of a game between Menlo-Atherton and Campbell when the blackout hit. The tournament resumed early in the morning and games will be played by regulation time, coordinator Greg Tacon said.

“;We gave people tickets to come back today. We're cutting down a little at halftime, that's all. It's a piece of cake,”; the Moanalua coach said.