'Bows set to rock, turn back clock for Midnight 'Ohana
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team will celebrate a coming out and a coming back at its annual Midnight 'Ohana on Friday.
Five touted recruits will make their debuts as Rainbow Warriors, and several former UH star players are expected to attend Midnight 'Ohana, which is themed "Time to Rock" this year.
"It's sort of like a going back in time idea," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "But there are some secret things we're planning that you have to be there to see."
NCAA basketball teams are allowed to practice for the first time on Saturday. Like most every other team across the nation, the 2003-04 'Bows will be unveiled at midnight.
Festivities, including a concert and carnival games, will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday at the Stan Sheriff Center. Admission is free.
The 'Bows will be showcased in 3-point and slam dunk contests, and an intrasquad scrimmage.
Former UH standouts Trevor Ruffin and Alika Smith have been selected as guest coaches for the scrimmage.
Ruffin, who was the star player on Wallace's first NCAA Tournament team in 1994, will board a flight from Atlanta to attend Midnight 'Ohana.
"We wanted to bring in a 'name' guy from the past and Trevor is a name a lot of people remember," Wallace said.
Ruffin played two seasons in the NBA after completing his two seasons at UH.
Smith was part of UH's back-to-back National Invitation Tournament teams in 1997 and '98. He and point guard Anthony Carter formed a backcourt that was nicknamed "The Dynamic Duo."
Wallace is seeking other former players to attend the event (for information, call 956-6501).
New guys: The five recruits who will participate in Midnight 'Ohana for the first time are Jeff Blackett, Logan Lee, Bobby Nash, Jake Sottos and Julian Sensley.
Sottos, who played for junior college national champion Southeastern Community College (Iowa) last season, is expected to be in the 3-point contest.
"It's a good group," Wallace said. "And what I like is that this group worked as hard in the fall as any group we've ever had. They were all serious about getting in the gym, getting in the weight room."
Old guys: With one significant exception, all the scholarship players eligible to return from last season's 19-12 team are back in school this semester.
Starters Phil Martin, Michael Kuebler and Haim Shimonovich have returned along with Jason Carter, Paul Jesinskis, Vaidotas Peciukas and Milos Zivanovic.
The lone exception is Carl English, who relinquished his senior season at UH to take his game to the NBA. English, who led the 'Bows with 19.6 points per game last season, is currently on the roster for the Indiana Pacers.
Walk-offs: Four walk-ons from last season who were eligible to return will not be back.
Eli Carlone and Anze Sagadin transferred to Hawai'i in the middle of last season, but are no longer attending classes at UH.
Gabe Lombard and Dan Pickart got limited playing time last season, but are no longer listed on the UH roster.
Walk-ons: At least two players are expected to try out for this season's team as walk-ons: Garland Gantt, a 6-1 Leilehua graduate; and Tui Ava'ava, a 6-2 former football player at Washington State.
Slam Dunk: The UH Rainbow Basketball Booster Club will host Slam Dunk 2003 at 6 p.m. on Oct. 23 at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Guests will have a chance to bid on several items during a live auction. The grand prize is a package to attend a San Antonio Spurs game, including round-trip airfare for two, tickets to a Spurs game, and a chance to meet former UH star Anthony Carter (who is now a point guard for the Spurs).
A Las Vegas vacation package will also be up for bid.
Dinner will be provided by several of Hawai'i's top restaurants.
Tickets are $100, and includes two tickets to UH's game against New Orleans on Dec. 20.
For information, call the UH basketball office at 956-6501.
Maui tickets: The University of Hawai'i has been allotted 300 "behind the team bench" seats for the EA Sports Maui Invitational.
The 'Bows will participate in the prestigious tournament at the Lahaina Civic Center for the first time on Nov. 24-26.
The tickets are being sold as a three-game set at $110 per person. The tickets are good for all three Hawai'i games only.
For information, call the UH ticket office at 956-4482.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
