Coaches shine again at Ohana Hoopfest

The Hawaii men’s basketball coaches added a song to their dance routine.

Second-year coach Gib Arnold stole the talent show again at the Ohana Hoopfest season kick-off festivities on Friday night, and once again called on a little professional help to do it.

Arnold summoned musician John Cruz to come out and perform “Island Style” while Arnold, assistants Benjy Taylor, Brandyn Akana and Scott Fisher, and strength coach Chris McMillian danced hula-style behind him. Judging by crowd noise, they narrowly outdid the 2011-12 Rainbow Warriors players, who performed a shirtless haka.

“I think it was a little closer this year, because they brought their level up,” said Arnold. “The level was still not quite as high as the coaches. I think it’s 2-0 right now, but the youngsters are getting the hang of it and starting to bring their game now.”

The players introduced themselves to the crowd of about 4,000, then went for some payback from last year, when the coaches thrilled the crowd with a haka. They got off to a good start; it was clear the guidance of dance instructor Mana Gauthier had helped.

“They cheated last year; they called professionals and we brought in some of our own this year,” senior guard Zane Johnson told the crowd.

Afterward, a grinning Johnson said: “I think we actually beat them, just because ours was a lot longer than theirs. We were really into it, doing the haka with energy. They were ‘love-dancing’ out there.”

Those among the crowd, mostly holdovers from the UH volleyball team’s sweep of Utah State who hung around until the end, were rewarded with two goofy celebrity games.

Among the new Rainbow Warriors on display for the first time were freshman point guard Shaquille Stokes, junior swingman Hauns Brereton, sophomore guard Garrett Jefferson and junior forward Christian Standhardinger.

There were more wide-open alley-oops in 10 minutes than will likely be seen for a whole season, finished mostly by junior forward Joston Thomas.

Friday’s event wasn’t just for the men. Third-year UH women’s coach Dana Takahara-Dias introduced the new-look “Rainbow Wahine Gangstas,” who performed a dance of their own.

It was a first look at both of this year’s teams for most in attendance.

“I had a lot of fun,” Stokes said. “We did great, but the coaches did better. They were sly; it looked like they practiced a lot.”

Even UH athletic director Jim Donovan and arena manager Rich Sheriff were brought out for an impromptu haka lesson.

The crowd ate it up.

Separate celebrity games with the UH men’s and women’s teams against celebrities capped off the evening. KITV’s Jahmai Webster drew some oohs for making several deep 3-pointers.

Volleyball coach Dave Shoji officiated the men’s game.

The UH men open the season on Nov. 11 with an exhibition against Hawaii Pacific. The UH women host HPU in an exhibition next Saturday.

Prep center takes in Hoopfest

Caleb Dressler, a 6-foot-10, 240-pound senior at Evergreen High (Vancouver, Wash.), observed the Hoopfest from courtside as part of his official recruiting visit to UH this weekend.

The recruit, who averaged 17 points, 14.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, is said to be considering scholarship offers from Hawaii, Portland State and Montana State. Recruits can sign during the early period for the 2012-13 season starting Nov. 9.