Gilmore wins Billabong Pro Maui

Australia's Stephanie Gilmore successfully defended her Billabong Pro Maui title yesterday after defeating Hawaii's Melanie Bartels in the final at Ho'okipa, Maui.

After a week of bad swells at Honolua Bay, event organizers opted to move the event to the north side of Maui, setting up yesterday's entertaining finale. Gilmore first beat Rebecca Woods in the quarterfinals, then countrywoman Layne Beachley in the semis. Gilmore stepped it up in the finals with two high-scoring rides to secure her win over Bartels.

It was a nice end-of-the-year run for Gilmore, who also secured her second consecutive ASP World title with a victory at Sunset Beach the second week of December. Her win yesterday was her fifth on the ASP Tour this season.

Swords bounce Ichabods

The Chaminade University men's basketball team beat Washburn (Kansas) University, 78-73 in the Malika Hoop n' Surf Classic at Kilauea District Park Gym last night.

Rickey Clayborn scored 16 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the Silverswords, who improved to 2-5 for the year.

» The Brigham Young-Hawaii men trounced Drury (Mo.) University, 83-62, in another Hoop n' Surf Classic game at the Blaisdell Arena yesterday.

Tsung-Hsien Chang led the Seasiders with 19 points and Nathan Sims added 16 points and seven boards.

» The Lady Seasiders edged Sheperd (W. Va.) University, 70-69, on the women's side of the tournament yesterday.

Latoya Wily exploded for 31 points to lead BYUH, which improved to 4-1.

» The Hawaii Pacific women's basketball team fell to Rockhurst (Mo.) University, 73-70 in the tournament yesterday.

Mana Hopkins led the Lady Sea Warriors, now 1-6, with 17 points.

» The Chaminade University women were drubbed by Montana State-Billings in the tournament, 83-32 yesterday.

Jasmine Dulan led the Lady Swords (0-5) with eight points.

Vehikite accepts USC's offer

When he arrived in Hawaii from Tonga eight years ago, Simione Vehikite didn't know what football was.

Today, the Kapolei senior is still a rugby player. In the future, though, he'll be a USC Trojan. The 6-foot-1, 245-pound senior accepted a scholarship offer made by coach Pete Carroll by phone.

“;It was automatic. I've always watched USC football and always wanted to go there,”; the linebacker/running back said.

His only other offer was from Washington and new coach Steve Sarkisian, a former USC assistant. The USC offer was made on Monday through linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. There's some discussion about what position Vehikite will play in college.

“;Coach Pete said they need somebody at fullback because Stanley Havili is the only one,”; Vehikite said. “;I'll play anything.”;