StarBulletin.com

Seniors play out the string


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POSTED: Saturday, February 27, 2010

None of them imagined it would go down quite like this.

Dissatisfaction at ending their college basketball careers in a storm of frustrating losses. Angst over the numerous debilitating injuries. Confusion at where it all went horribly wrong.

Yet all is not lost for the last-place Hawaii men's basketball team. Five UH seniors have one last chance at home redemption today in a crucial Western Athletic Conference contest against Nevada at 7:05 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. After the Rainbow Warriors engage the Wolf Pack, UH and its fans bid farewell to Roderick Flemings, Petras Balocka, Brandon Adams, Paul Campbell and Adhar Mayen in senior night festivities.

UH (9-18, 2-11 WAC) still has road games remaining with Boise State and Idaho next week. Beating eighth-place Boise essentially remains the best hope at qualifying for the WAC tournament, but before the thought of any road success can be entertained, the 'Bows must rally here at home and snap their nine-game losing streak.

“;Disappointing but not done,”; Campbell said of his three-year UH career. “;So far it really hasn't lived up to all the expectations that I wanted it to, but I still really think there's a chance for it to end on a good note. We still have a really talented team despite all the injuries we had, all the hardships we had. I know we're capable of winning.”;

A positive: The 'Bows were competitive vs. the Pack (17-10, 9-4) in a 66-60 loss in Reno, Nev., on Jan. 30, faltering only at the free-throw line in the final minute. The negative: They haven't beaten UNR since 2006, a streak of eight straight losses.

UH has dropped five straight at home, the most consecutive at the Sheriff since 1998-99. The Rainbows have never lost six straight there.

If it also feels like it's been a while since the last senior night festivities, that's because there were no seniors last year. This is the first batch of graduating players hand-picked by third-year UH coach Bob Nash.

“;Anytime you're going to say goodbye to guys, it's always sad, because these guys have meant a lot to me, personally,”; Nash said. “;They're guys we've been (with) in the war rooms, on the floor, fighting for each other. Some of us three years, some of us two years. .. It's just like a family member, once they break away from the nest and go away, you always have a place in your heart for them.”;

Nash was pleased that all five junior college transfers are on track to graduate (or in Balocka's case, already graduated).

 

6-7 G/F RODERICK FLEMINGS

Best games: 39 points vs. Cal Poly, 37 points vs. Eastern Washington (2008-09).

It hasn't been the college career Flemings and UH fans envisioned when he arrived in a whirlwind of hype from Weatherford (Texas) JC as a junior.

Injury setbacks and inconsistent performances have derailed his NBA dream, but to his credit, kept playing as things went south for UH; over the nine-game slide, he's averaging 20.9 points per game.

What he wants to be remembered for: ”;I want them to say that I wasn't a quitter, I didn't give up on the year, the season. That I played hard throughout the whole season when I could and that I was a hard worker and a team player. Tried to play with my teammates, and just a good guy.”;

 

6-7 F BRANDON ADAMS

Best games: 20 points, nine rebs vs. Louisiana Tech; 19 points, nine rebs vs. San Jose State

The spark plug who transferred from Diablo Valley (Calif.) JC last year was initially slated to redshirt upon his arrival. After a shaky junior year he worked his way up from a reserve role at the start of this season to become a starter and average 11.3 points and 7.4 rebounds in WAC play.

What he wants to be remembered for: “;I hope they would say I worked hard, just kept my mouth shut and just showed all my effort on the court.”;

 

6-8 F/C PETRAS BALOCKA

Best games: 20 points, 20 rebs vs. Lamar; 23 points, 16 rebs vs. Cal Poly

The loquacious Lithuanian arrived from Pensacola (Fla.) JC last year hailed by UH coaches as potentially one of the best big men to come through the program. He showed flashes of that brilliance this year, but also was prone to brash outbursts on the court. He saw inconsistent playing time because of defensive lapses and a left shoulder injury.

What he wants to be remembered for: ”;Man, I don't want to persuade nobody to think of anything. I am what I am, and what people going to remember me, that's going to be their memory. I'm not going to change nobody's mind, I don't want nobody to think things that are wrong. Whatever they see from the stands looking at me, that's what they get. 'Cause I'm always like that.”;

 

6-8 G/F ADHAR MAYEN

Best games: 13 points vs. Boise State; 12 points vs. Utah State

A three-year player out of Hill (Texas) College, the lean Mayen was a quiet presence and part-time starter who could be counted on to hit the occasional 3-pointer or mid-range jumper. Though his shooting percentage dropped this season after a strong start, he's respected for his consistent work ethic, if not his showmanship.

What he wants to be remembered for: “;Great person, always played hard. Respected everybody, and had passion.”;

 

6-10 C PAUL CAMPBELL

Best games: 14 points, 15 rebs, 3 blocks vs. Northwestern State; 14 points, nine rebs vs. Boise State

Nash's other three-year player peaked at the turn of the season, though he's shot 74 percent in WAC play. The Toronto native out of Arkansas-Fort Smith JC started 22 of 26 games this year and relished his role as an offensive rebounder and shot blocker. His playing time declined over the losing streak as Nash looked elsewhere for offensive production.

What he wants to be remembered for: “;That I just gave it my all. I feel like despite everything that I've been through here, I tried my best at all times and really just tried to give my best effort. That's all I can really do.”;