Sensley, who was raised in Kailua, and Nash, who was raised in 'Aina Haina, have been key contributors for the 4-0 Rainbow Warriors. Both are expected to be in the starting lineup tonight when Hawai'i hosts Saint Mary's at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"Even before I got to high school I was hearing it — that Hawai'i boys can't play basketball," Nash said. "Hopefully Julian and I are changing some opinions by starting for a (NCAA) Division I program."

Sensley and Nash are smashing several stereotypes about Hawai'i basketball simply by putting on the UH uniform.

"Ever since I was a kid, people were saying that you're not supposed to be playing basketball in Hawai'i; that nobody makes it to the next level," Sensley said. "But you got two Hawai'i guys right here."

The knock on Hawai'i-raised players is the lack of height. But Sensley is a 6-foot-9 small forward, and Nash is a 6-6 shooting guard.

Technically, Sensley was not recruited out of Hawai'i. He left Kalaheo after his junior year to attend St. Thomas More, a preparatory school in Connecticut.

"Part of the reason why I left was because I wanted to see what it was like to play against bigger guys," Sensley said. "But I was raised here, and I still consider myself a local boy. My family is still here, and I still keep in touch with the Kalaheo boys. That's why I came back."

Nash was also considered a "big man" at Iolani, and has had to adjust from playing in the post in high school to the perimeter at UH.

Sensley and Nash improved their skills by attending various camps and clinics on the Mainland while they were in high school.

"It was weird for me because I was like a center at Iolani, but when I went to camps and stuff, I was a guard," Nash said. "I just kept working at it because I knew I would be a guard in college."

Sensley has blossomed into an all-around threat. He leads the 'Bows in scoring (14.5 points per game), rebounding (9.3) and assists (3.3).

Nash is averaging 5.8 points per game and is tied for the team lead with seven 3-pointers.

Since Riley Wallace became UH head coach in 1987, only four previous Hawai'i-raised players have been starters or key reserves: David Hallums (1987-89), Jarinn Akana (1992-94), Kalia McGee (1991-95) and Alika Smith (1994-98).

McGee was the starting point guard and Akana was the "sixth man" during the 1993-94 season, so Sensley and Nash are the first Hawai'i-raised duo to start together at UH under Wallace.

"I want local guys on my team every year if I can," Wallace said. "All the Hawai'i kids I've had before had heart. Even the walk-ons. They were all fighters. And if they're good enough to play, I'll put them in there."

Wallace said productive Hawai'i-raised players have usually led to larger crowds at UH, but this year's team is averaging 6,763 fans per home game.

"I thought it would be more with Julian and Bobby both in there," Wallace said. "If we keep winning and they keep playing like they're supposed to, people will come out."

Wallace said he thinks more Hawai'i-raised players could earn NCAA Division I scholarships if a junior college system were in place here.

"The high school players here need a couple more years to develop against higher competition," Wallace said. "If we had a junior college system in Hawai'i, they'd have that chance."

Sensley and Nash may be rarities, but they don't expect to be the last.

"Hopefully we're putting Hawai'i on the basketball map," Sensley said. "We're not going to be Los Angeles, or Chicago, or New York, but as long as people out there know that there's talent in the Islands, then it's a big step. Hopefully it will show the younger players here that they can do it, too."

Infections continue to spread among 'Bows

Junior forward Matthew "Big Matt" Gipson sat out of practice yesterday because of an infection in his right foot, but is expected to play his usual reserve role tonight.

Wallace said he is concerned because at least three other 'Bows have had similar infections in recent weeks.

"It's obviously a problem, and we need to find out what's causing it," he said.

Wallace added that the team's locker room would be cleaned "top to bottom" by today.

Senior guard Jake Sottos returned to practice yesterday after sitting out two days with a neck injury. He is expected to play a reserve role tonight.

Tatum returns to starting lineup

Junior Deonte Tatum will start at point guard tonight, Wallace said.

Sophomore Matt Gibson will play a reserve role, but Wallace said it is not part of a punishment. Gibson was suspended for one day of practice this week for disciplinary reasons.

"It's because (Tatum) has been playing very well lately," Wallace said. "He earned it."

Tatum started the first two games of this season, but Gibson started the last two. Tatum played a season-high 28 minutes in last Saturday's 53-52 victory at Saint Louis.

Notes

Derrick Low, Nash's former teammate at Iolani, is expected to make the first start of his collegiate career today for Washington State when the Cougars play at Brigham Young. Low missed the first five games of the season with a foot injury.

Hawai'i football receiver Chad Owens will be honored at tonight's game. He recently received All-America second-team honors from Sports Illustrated.

Tonight is a "White-Out" game, and all fans are encouraged to wear white.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.