» Kameron Steinhoff
» Hawaii Pacific basketball
» Junior guard

It’s about adjustments, making the right ones to be successful.

It’s needed when catching waves off Old Man’s, that balance added to that no-fear mind-set. It’s the same when making the move from high school to college basketball.

Kameron Steinhoff is adjusting, especially to his supporting — rather than starring — role for Hawaii Pacific.

Offense is not the question. It made a pretty smooth transition from Punahou, where the Star-Bulletin’s state player of the year averaged 18 points as a senior — just months after having his spleen removed following a collision in a football game against Saint Louis.

"I definitely have to work on my defense," the Sea Warriors’ redshirt sophomore guard said. "Coach (Darren Vorderbruegge) stresses defense and discipline. You have to stay focused all the time."

As well as adapt. The 6-foot-4 Steinhoff is playing for his fourth coach in five years; two in high school and two in college.

Originally recruited by since-retired HPU coach Tony Sellitto, Steinhoff said his basketball options coming out of Punahou were limited to mostly Division III schools.

"I didn’t know much about HPU," the psychology major said. "But I remember coming to my first open gym as a freshman. The first player I saw was Adrian (6-9 forward den Dulk). I said to myself, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’"

A chance to become a very good player for the Sea Warriors, according to Vorderbruegge.

"He’s still young," Vorderbruegge said. "But he’s an outstanding young man, an exceptional student. Basketball-wise, he’s smart and he’s gifted. And he’s really strong."

Steinhoff has four starts for the Sea Warriors (5-7), who open PacWest play on Monday. HPU had lost six in a row before winning twice last week.

"I know we’ll turn it around," he said.

Steinhoff isn’t the only Punahou product playing on Oahu this year. His former football and basketball teammate Miah Ostrowski has become a two-sport athlete for Hawaii, playing in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl for the Warriors on Christmas Eve then taking the Stan Sheriff Center court for a few minutes in the basketball win over Mississippi State on Christmas Day.

"I’m really proud of Miah," Steinhoff said. "That’s pretty impressive to be able to do that."

Weekly honors to UHH’s Smith

Hawaii-Hilo senior forward Justin Smith was named the Pacific West Conference men’s basketball player of the week for leading the Vulcans to two victories last week. Smith averaged 23 points and 6.5 rebounds in the wins over Concordia (Mich.) and Westminster (Mo.). He also averaged 1.5 blocks and 2.5 assists as Hawaii-Hilo heads into PacWest play with the best nonconference record (8-3) in the nine-team league.

MEN’S HONOR ROLL

» Adrian den Dulk, HPU: The junior forward averaged 12 points on 73.3 percent shooting as the Sea Warriors went 2-0 last week.

» Royal Edwards, HPU: The senior forward helped the Sea Warriors improve to 4-6 with two wins by averaging 14 points and 5 rebounds.

» Zach Wilde, UHH: The junior forward averaged 14.5 points and 11.5 rebounds as the Vulcans won both of their games.

WOMEN’S HONOR ROLL

» Hillary Hurley, UHH: The junior forward turned in a double-double (12 points-16 rebounds) with three blocks and three assists in the 64-48 win over Westminster (Mo.).

» Taiyande Huskey, HPU: The junior guard had an impressive all-around game in the Sea Warriors’ 94-73 win over Westminster (Mo.) with nine points, six rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

» Melody Ladrido, HPU: The sophomore guard had 17 points, five rebounds and eight assists in the win over Westminster (Mo.).

» Skye Savini, HPU: The freshman guard had 17 points as the Sea Warriors beat Westminster (Mo.) for their fifth straight.

» Hotia Vaaimamao, UHH: The junior forward out of Maui High scored 14 points and added five rebounds against Westminster (Mo.).

CALENDAR

BASKETBALL

Today
Women
PacWest: Notre Dame de Namur at Hawaii-Hilo, 5 p.m., UHH Gym

Men
Nonconference: Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) at BYU-Hawaii, 7:30 p.m., Cannon Activities Center

PacWest: NDNU at Hawaii Hilo, 7:30 p.m., UHH Gym

Thursday
Women
PacWest: Notre Dame de Namur at Chaminade, 5 p.m., McCabe Gym; Academy of Art at Hawaii-Hilo, 5 p.m., UHH Gym

Men
PacWest: Academy of Art at Hawaii-Hilo, 7:30 p.m., UHH Gym; NDNU at Chaminade, 7:30 p.m., McCabe Gym

Saturday
Women
PacWest: NDNU at BYU-Hawaii, 5 p.m., Cannon Activities Center; Dominican at Hawaii-Hilo, 5 p.m., UHH Gym; Academy of Art at Chaminade, 5 p.m., McCabe Gym

Men
PacWest: NDNU at BYU-Hawaii, 7:30 p.m., Cannon Activities Center; Dominican at Hawaii-Hilo, 7:30 p.m., UHH Gym; Academy of Art at Chaminade, 7:30 p.m., McCabe Gym