Posted on: Friday, December 24, 2004
Hana hou! Nash puts on another strong showing
| • | UH takes Classic title by beating USC, 72-68 |
| • | UAB takes third in Rainbow Classic |
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
After draining the winning shot the night before, Hawai'i's Bobby Nash turned in an encore performance against Southern California last night.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser "It's always team first," Nash said. "I came out here and I knew my role. I knew what I had to do. I knocked down a few shots and got other people open. I fulfilled my role."
For his efforts, Nash was named to the all-tournament team along with teammate and MVP Matt Gibson.
It was a crowning moment for Nash and his father, Bob Jr., who earned all-tournament honors 33 years ago playing as a Rainbow. Bob Nash is an assistant coach for UH.
"It's certainly an honor, but it's his time now," the senior Nash said. "I'm just happy that he played well. Our main focus was to win the tournament and not look for individual honors."
Nash's hot shooting carried over from Wednesday's buzzer-beating 3-pointer in a 55-54 victory over Oral Roberts.
Last night, the 6-foot-6 sophomore guard from Iolani did not miss a shot until the second half.
Nash helped keep the Rainbow Warriors afloat in the first half, shooting 3 for 3 from the field. He finished 5 of 8, including 1 of 2 from 3-point range. He also made 3 of 4 from the free-throw line, and added three rebounds, one assist and one steal.
"I'm proud of the fact that he's making progress," the senior Nash said. "He's starting to come into his own as a player. Coach (Riley) Wallace has given him the opportunity to play and he's showing that he's deserving of it."
Nash finished the tournament with 21 total points in three games and a bunch of confidence. Nash responded with two solid performances after a zero-point, 0-for-7 outing against Long Beach State on Monday.
"It's always a big confidence booster to hit a game-winning shot like that," Nash said of his clutch 3-pointer against Oral Roberts. "But we've just got to play hard, smart and together. That's what we did."
The senior Nash succinctly described his son's basketball journey as a "growing process."
"It's a different situation for him not playing last year much, and this year coming in where he's starting and doing some things," the senior Nash said. "It's just a growing process. Maybe this tournament will help him to continue to play well."
Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.
Nash scored a career-high 14 points to help Hawai'i remain unbeaten and win its fourth consecutive Rainbow Classic title with a 72-68 victory over USC.
Bobby Nash, right, celebrates Hawai'i's victory over USC with fellow sophomore guard Matt Gibson. Gibson was named the Rainbow Classic's MVP and Nash was chosen to the all-tournament team.
