Don’t tell these guys it’s just summer league.
When Flipbooks Hawaii and Solar Universe clash at 7 tonight for the 36th Hawaii College Basketball Summer League title, plenty enough is on the line.
"We expect to be here, and I expect my guys to come out to play," Solar coach Artie Wilson said. "I don’t know if we’ll win, but I guarantee one thing: We’re going to give it everything we have."
Top-seeded Flipbooks posted the league’s best record (9-1), thanks to cohesiveness among its multiple offensive options, while No. 2 Solar (6-4) also enjoyed its share of blowout wins. Wilson, a former University of Hawaii player, has enjoyed having several of the same players on his teams in recent years, including Washington State alum Derrick Low, former BYU guard Rashaun Broadus and ex-UH guard Bobby Nash. Low and Nash are out of town this week, however, meaning anyone and everyone on Solar’s deep bench will be called upon.
"They’re always tough," Flipbooks co-coach Tim Thorpe said. "Artie and us always go at it. It’s always a big rivalry."
36TH COLLEGE SUMMER LEAGUE FINAL
» Who: No. 1 Flipbooks Hawaii vs. No. 2 Solar Universe
» When: 7 p.m. today
» Where: Manoa Valley District Park gym
» Admission: Free
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Summer leagues in general are known for their lack of defensive intensity, but this week’s playoffs have already featured an intentional foul, a flagrant foul 2 and enough gamesmanship for a Division I regular-season contest.
For Thursday’s semifinals, a capacity crowd of about 200 showed up to fill the modest seating area in the Manoa Valley District Park gym. Those who couldn’t find a seat in the stands took up real estate along the edges of the court.
"You get crowds like this, the players play that much harder," league co-manager Bryan Barr said. "It just makes the games 10 times better."
Teams are comprised of former UH players, current and former players from local Division II teams, and overseas professionals honing their games in the offseason. Helping matters was the infusion of several current UH players to the league at midseason. Rainbow Warriors newcomer Brandon Spearman and invited walk-on Dyrbe Enos play for Solar Universe, while transfer forward Christian Standhardinger has been the flamboyant key to success for Flipbooks Hawaii.
The summer league received positive reviews from the new ‘Bows as they’ve prepared for the 2012-13 season’s start in a few months.
"Oh, it’s big," said Spearman, who scored 25 points in Thursday’s semifinal blowout of UH teammates Hauns Brereton and Jace Tavita of Central Medical Clinic. "Playing with some of these D-I players and some of these overseas cats, it’s really getting me ready. I can’t wait to play this year. … I’m loving everything, the coaching by Artie, the fans. I love the energy."
Standhardinger, who transferred to UH from Nebraska and redshirted last year, has given hoops fans an early taste of his high-energy, expressive style of basketball. Other Flipbooks players to watch are Chaminade alum Leon Ballard and summer veteran Kaunaoa McGee.
"Games like this makes you better," Standhardinger said after an 84-77 comeback win over Isaac Fotu and National Fire Protection on Thursday. "I think it was a very good level of basketball played today."
Flipbooks swept the two regular-season meetings, but the teams played one of the league’s closer games on July 12.
Low had a 3-point attempt to win it at the buzzer, but his trey was off the mark and Flipbooks won 103-101.
