ASP ELLIS
Hawaii's Brian Pacheco prepared for a bottom turn and a joy ride into a classic Pipeline barrel yesterday.
Aussies on fire at Pipe
Australians set the pace as the Xbox Pipeline Masters got under way yesterday in 6-to-10 foot conditions on the North Shore.
The Pipe Masters is the third event in the Triple Crown of Surfing, and Australia's Joel Parkinson, who leads the three-event standings, had the top scoring ride of the day --a perfect 10.
Surfing in front of a large crowd at Ehukai Beach, Parkinson placed second behind fellow Australian Luke Hitchings in his second-round heat. Hitchings came through with rides of 9.95 and 9.8.
"By a million miles," said Hitchings, when asked if that was the best heat of his career. "I was so nervous. If I didn't make that heat, I was going to be knocked off the tour, so I pretty much had to have a dream heat, especially with the guys I had out there.
"I just can't believe I've come through. I'm the happiest man ever."
Hawaii's Bruce Irons and Shane Dorian won their first-round heats, while Andy Irons, the new world champion, won his second-round heat. Hawaii's Kalani Robb and Brian Pacheco qualified for the fourth round with wins in the third round.
The Pipe Masters is also the last event in the Association of Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour.
"Pipeline with only three other guys out is incredible," said Andy Irons, who edged Brian Pacheco in a tight 17.9 to 17.8 round-two battle. "I've surfed with Brian my whole life, he's a childhood friend so it was a blast out there, trading off waves.
"I'm really glad the title's sewn up and I don't have to stress about it. I'm feeling really good right now and this is all extra. It's a bonus."
Hawaii's Sunny Garcia placed second in his second-round heat to move to the third round, and he still has a shot at the Triple Crown title. He had 1,400 points, 210 behind Parkinson, after two events.
Abrahams wins PacWest honors
Hawaii-Hilo guard Ryan Abrahams has been selected Pacific West Conference Player of the Week.The 6-foot-3 junior averaged 16 points in two games last week, including a team-high 19 against Hawaii-Manoa. He was 12 of 21 from the floor and 6 of 7 from the free-throw line for the week. He also had 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Abrahams is 11th in the PacWest in scoring (13.1 ppg), seventh in shooting (53.6 percent) and ninth in free-throw shooting (18 of 24, 75 percent).
Allen earns WAC weekly award
Natasja Allen, a senior forward for the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine, has been named the Western Athletic Conference women's basketball player of the week.Allen, who hails from Port Orchard, Wash., averaged 13.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots per game in helping the Wahine to the Hawaii Invitational title.
In the Kentucky victory, she had her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and she blocked a career high three shots. She followed up the next day with a game-high 17 points and nine rebounds against Nevada-Las Vegas.
The co-Most Valuable Player of the invitational with teammate Christen Roper, Allen leads UH in field-goal percentage (.557) and is second in scoring (12.3 ppg) and rebounds (7.0 rpg).
This was her first career WAC weekly honor.
Hawaii hosts it final tournament this weekend.
The Rainbow Wahine open against Loyola Marymount on Friday at 3 p.m., then play either Tennessee-Chattanooga or No. 10 Texas Tech on Saturday.
Vulcans deny visiting Ouachita
Hawaii-Hilo held off a late charge and beat Ouachita (Ark.) Baptist University 82-80 onSunday night.With a 66-53 lead and 11 minutes remaining, Vulcans coach Jeff Law removed the last of his starters and the Tigers whittled the lead to one point.
Kimo Keiter-Charles hit the back end of two free throws to give the Vulcans (6-3) a two-point lead and Albert Keim intercepted an inbounds pass to seal the victory.
Kyle Bartholomew scored 14 points and added nine rebounds to pace Hawaii-Hilo, while Abrahams and Osadonor Esene added 13 points each.
Bunyan Johnson poured in a game-high 24 for OBU (4-4).
