GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
UH seniors Phil Martin, Paul Jesinskis, Haim Shimonovich, Michael Kuebler and Jason Carter were honored last night.
Seniors leave their marks
Haim Shimonovich will leave the University of Hawaii with about 600 rebounds, a college degree and a new name.
"Hey, Scotty, get over here," Lance Takaki beckoned, as Shimonovich worked his way through the many well-wishers yesterday at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Takaki, a former teammate, gave Shimonovich and other foreign UH players American-sounding nicknames back in 2000. Shimonovich got 'Scott' because, "He looks like a Scott," Takaki said at the time.
"It seems like a long time ago when I came here four years ago," the UH starting center from Israel said. "But I've had a lot of fun here."
Shimonovich is one of five UH seniors from four countries who played their final regular-season home game yesterday at the Stan Sheriff Center, a 91-77 victory over Rice.
As a student, Shimonovich gets his degree in mathematics next year. As a player, the three-year starter has put up some big numbers (586 rebounds, 140 blocks among them), but not always enough for the casual fans. Some of them felt Shimonovich lacked intensity and toughness.
The most important observer, coach Riley Wallace, said Shimonovich will be difficult to replace.
"You never heard me saying anything (bad) about him. I know what Haim Shimonovich has meant to this program," Wallace said. "Sometimes it was hard getting the fans to understand what he's doing down inside, blocking the path of guys, guys can't move him out of there. A lot of people didn't realize how valuable he was, especially on the defensive end."
When Shimonovich was a freshman in 2001, he was a key to the team's run to the NCAA Tournament, the first of three consecutive postseason appearances for UH. At 6-foot-10 and 275 pounds, he provided needed depth on the frontline. As a starter the past three years, he's also become known as an excellent passer.
"Haim is a major presence in there. His height and big body help all of us," fellow senior Phil Martin said. "And the bond we have, playing together so long."
Still recovering from a sprained right knee that kept him out of two games recently, Shimonovich played 26 minutes yesterday, grabbing 10 rebounds, scoring four points and dealing three assists before fouling out with 3:48 left.
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii's Haim Shimonovich made a move against Rice's Michael Harris during last night's game.
Except for the boards, those don't seem like winning numbers. But consider these: With Shimonovich as a starter this year, Hawaii is 17-4; when he isn't, UH is 2-4.
He could have made a token appearance yesterday and rested the knee. But despite the lopsided score, Rice made several runs at the Rainbows in the second half, and Shimonovich was needed.
"It was important for me to play today because of the fans and how they have supported us," Shimonovich said.
He displayed a rare feistiness yesterday, arguing calls, including the one that knocked him out of the game. But as he left the court, he shook the hand of the official who called the final foul on him. The small act of sportsmanship helps define the UH seniors, associate coach Jackson Wheeler said.
"This is one of the greatest groups ever," Wheeler said. "Not just winning-wise, but everything about them. There aren't going to be many groups better than them coming through as people and basketball players."
Said Wallace: "They molded, melded into one unit and they love each other and the coaches love them and we all get along. They're not highly recruited athletes like you see at Duke and North Carolina, but they're as good a team as far as effort and putting things together and that's what college athletics is all about. They're good students and that's what counts."
The other seniors:
>> Martin, a forward from Ontario, Canada, has played in the most games ever for a UH player (121) and in the most wins (82). He has started 97 consecutive games.
"Every night he shows up to play for you," Wallace said. "This man has a heart bigger than his head."
>> Guard Jason Carter from Gary, Ind., shined in 21 minutes off the bench yesterday with 14 points.
"The last two games he's played Rainbow Warrior basketball," Wallace said.
>> Forward Paul Jesinskis from Durban, South Africa, battled injuries in his three years at UH. He was an outstanding scout team practice player and scored a career-high 12 points yesterday.
"There are no off days for Paul Jesinskis," Wallace said. "If you come watch practice, you'll love him even more."
>> Guard Michael Kuebler from Salem, Ore., scored 13 points yesterday, but he leads the team with 18.7 per game and has hit 78 3-pointers this year.
"He's right up there with the best, if he isn't the best shooter we've had here," Wallace said. "He's a monster. He's the quiet assassin."
NIT-picking: Despite all the celebration, this might not have been the last home game for UH this season.
If the Rainbows end up in the National Invitation Tournament (a likelihood unless they win the Western Athletic Conference tournament and the NCAA Tournament berth that goes with it), UH might host.
The school put in a bid to host the first and second rounds, athletic director Herman Frazier said.
