Warriors, Vulcans share lead in Japan

The men's golf teams from Hawaii and Hawaii-Hilo are tied for first heading into today's final round of the Naris Cup golf tournament in Okayama, Japan.

The Warriors and Vulcans shot 599 yesterday at the Sakushu Musashi Country Club. Hawaii and UHH are the only American teams in the eight-team field.

Robert Berton is the top Warriors golfer so far. He's at 2-over 146.

Hawaii schools dominate PWC awards

Brigham Young-Hawaii junior center Lucas Alves repeated as player of the year and guard Jet Chang was named freshman of the year on the All-Pacific West Conference men's basketball team that was announced yesterday.

In total, Hawaii schools had a combined 13 of the 20 players honored by the conference. Hawaii-Hilo and Chaminade each had two first-team honorees: senior forward Jay DeMaestri and junior guard John Smithof the Vulcans, and senior guard Joel Smith and senior center Mohamed Tangara of the Silverswords.

The Seasiders also had four players named to the second team in senior swingman Nathan Sims, senior guard Trenson Akana, junior guard J.R. Buensucceso and sophomore guard Marques Whippy.

Hawaii Pacific's lone representative was senior guard Jason Curtis, a second-team selection.

Hawaii-Hilo had two honorable mention picks in senior forwards Perry Gabbett and Jacob Briggs. Chaminade had one in junior guard Noah Gottlieb.

Alves, named earlier this week as the NCAA Division II player of the year, averaged 19.8 points and 7.5 rebounds a game for the Seasiders (27-2, 12-0 PWC). He was also named a Daktronics first team All-American and was also honored on the All-West Region All-Academic Team.

Grand Canyon's Engen Nurumbi was named newcomer of the year and Dixie State's John Judkins coach of the year.

Sea Warriors 11th in softball poll

The Hawaii Pacific softball team moved up seven spots to No. 11 in the NFCA Top 25 coaches poll released yesterday.

The Sea Warriors (23-3, 11-1 PacWest) were also ranked second in the NCAA's first Division II West Region poll of the season.

HPU takes on No. 18 Dixie State (24-4, 13-3), ranked No. 3 in the region, in a conference doubleheader today at St. George, Utah.