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Keeping Score
MAYBE spring cleaning should wait until after the NCAA tournament and NIT are over with. Some memories are better left undisturbed. Tournaments are
no fun without UHAmid the dust bunnies hiding in the cabinets were old media guides and box scores, souvenirs of the recent glory days of University of Hawaii men's basketball.
The names are there, hauntingly familiar names: Matt Santangelo and Richie Frahm, Gonzaga; A.J. Guyton, Indiana; Eric Chenowith, Kansas; Eddie House, Arizona State. Guys that have been living large on TV screens in living rooms across America during the past week or so.
Did all of these guys go on a church mission or something? They seemingly have been around forever.
They are players who shared the Stan Sheriff Center court two years ago with the Rainbows. And came up on the losing end.
They are players on teams which had seasons extended past Selection Sunday. Teams that, since their respective visits to the islands, have continued on a steady path leading to postseason invitations.
Teams that, even two years ago, Hawaii was on par with. The Rainbows were seemingly on the verge of breaking through to another level.
The question is: "What happened?'' Two words: consistency and continuity.
Rainbow coach Riley Wallace will be the first to say his team has lived and died by junior college recruiting. So many times in his 13 years, he's had no choice but to go that route.
OUTSIDE of local players, few freshmen have been willing to make the commitment to play for a team five, six time zones away from the media spotlight that shines brightest on the Big East, the ACC and the Big Ten.
These players know where the exposure is. More importantly, they know where it isn't.
Hawaii is no longer on the radar screen.
It is disappointing, especially when seeing the likes of Frahm and Santangelo becoming household names.
There's no longer a debate on how to correctly pronounce the name of the Spokane school. Gonzaga is no longer considered a Cinderella team, in part due to the development of -- and patience with -- good, young players.
Everyone knew that Alika Smith-Anthony Carter would be a hard act to follow. But few expected Hawaii to become a disappearing act so quickly when it came to postseason play.
Can the Rainbow program rebound? I don't know. I hope so. March Madness -- even the NIT version -- was a lot more fun a few years ago.
OUTRIGGER canoe paddling turns into a tag-team event Sunday with the Canoe Sports/Outrigger Connection Coast Relay. Teams using one-and two-person canoes will compete in a 34-mile race from Kailua Bay to Ala Wai Harbor.
The event features some of the top international paddlers and is also the Hawaii qualifier for entry into the May 7 Kaiwi Channel Relay world championship. Teams will make paddler changes at various land points around East Oahu.
Nearly 150 athletes are expected to participate in open, mixed and masters divisions. Entries are still being accepted for men's, women's and coed crews.
"This is one of the most exciting (canoe) events in Hawaii,'' said race director Walter Guild.
OC-1 teams will use two paddlers, OC-2 teams will use three paddlers. The relay race is composed of four legs, each between 8-10 miles.
Guild is still accepting entries. For information, call him at 545-8688 or email him at canoespt@hula.net.
Cindy Luis is Star-Bulletin sports editor.
Her column appears weekly.
