Streaking Vulcans abide by Law
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
Do what you can, not what you can't.
That's been Jeff Law's mantra this season.
And repeating it to his team seems to have made a difference.
The University of Hawai'i-Hilo men's basketball team boasts the second-best record in the PacWest Conference at 8-2 and a six-game winning streak. The Vulcans hope to extend that streak tonight, when they face Concordia University at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
It hasn't been wasted breath for Law, in his third season as head coach at Hilo.
"It's a matter of defining roles and make sure that guys don't bite off more than they can chew," he said. "They're starting to do that."
They're not overdribbling or taking foolish shots. Well, not as often.
"Those things have slowly diminished — not gone — and that's helped," Law said.
Five Vulcans average 10 or more points per game, with guard Scott Prather leading the way at 17.7. He also leads the conference in steals, averaging 2.6 per game.
"He's tough, and nobody figured that," Law said. "Last year he carried us when he had some big, tough, athletic kids (on the team)."
Though the 5-foot-11 senior from Kula, Maui has been one of the team's most consistent go-to players, Law insists the team is successful not because of one player's performance.
"It's a team thing," he said. "It's not about one guy doing this and another guy doing that. We do things more as a team as opposed to as individuals."
After losing four seniors who helped the team post its first winning season in six years, Law put a lot of faith in Prather and fellow local boy forward Kyle Bartholomew, the team's only two returning starters.
And they haven't disappointed.
Bartholomew, a junior from Hilo, leads the team in rebounding, averaging 6.9 per game. He's also fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 12.4 per game.
"We don't have jet-quick or big, strong guys," Law said, pointing out that this year's team averages about 6 feet 2. "Our strength is more team-oriented. And they see it the same way the coaching staff does. We're all working for that. We won't scare a whole bunch of people in an airport."
More basketball
• Vulcan injury update: UH-Hilo guard Derek Mgbeke received eight stitches between his eyebrows after a player swiped across his face during a drive toward the end of the Vulcans' win over Cal State Dominguez Hills. He practiced yesterday and is expected to play tonight against Concordia University. The 6-foot-3 junior averages 15.2 points and four rebounds per game.
The Vulcans will play without sophomore reserve guard Brady Hyde, who broke his right hand after the Big Island Tournament last month. He should be returning next week.
Junior guard Michael Pamerston Jr. is out indefinitely with a knee injury.
• Subotic earns weekly honors: Nash Subotic likes to shoot. A lot. But he knew that perfecting his jump shot wouldn't make him a complete player.
So he worked on rebounding, concentrated on defense and looked for open shots and open shooters to pass the ball to.
And his efforts have contributed to Hawai'i Pacific's 7-3 record, which includes four consecutive wins.
After stellar performances last week in three non-conference wins, the 6-foot-5 senior guard from Yugoslavia, who amassed 71 points and 22 rebounds, was named PacWest Player of the Week.
"We have people who score (on our team) now, and I feel like I don't have to just score," said Subotic, who posted a season-high in rebounds with 11 in HPU's win over Cal State Monterey Bay. "I can pass, I can rebound, I can do all kinds of things to help the team."
The Sea Warriors play No. 20 (in Division II) Presbyterian College tomorrow night.
"They shoot 40 percent from the 3-point line. We should go to work to win this game," Subotic said. "It won't be easy. We have to contest that 3-point shot, rebound and defend."
But the team's leading scorer won't ignore what he does best.
"I'll take what the defender gives me," Subotic said. "They have to give me something, either a 3 or penetration or a free throw ... I have to play smarter."
Water Polo
• Still looking: Chaminade is still searching for a head coach for its water polo team, after the resignation of Bruce Black Dec. 3.
Black guided the Silverswords to a 15-17 record over two seasons.
Chaminade is currently accepting applications for the part-time position. Anyone interested should contact Chaminade's athletic department at 735-4790.
This week's schedule
Today
Concordia University at UH-Hilo, 7:15 p.m., Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium
Tomorrow
Asbury College at UH-Hilo, 7:15 p.m., Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium
Presbyterian College (SC) at HPU, 7:30 p.m., Blaisdell Center
Saturday
Presbyterian College (SC) at Chaminade, noon, McCabe Gym
Olivet Nazarene at BYUH, 7:30 p.m., Cannon Activities Center
Sunday
Coe College at Chaminade, 7:30 p.m., McCabe Gym
