Brandon Spearman sensed desperation, and pounced.
The Hawaii senior guard snatched away hope from his teammates-turned-opponents with a well-timed steal, then hit the game-clinching free throw for the Green team in the Rainbow Warriors’ first officiated intrasquad scrimmage of the preseason Saturday.
On the deciding play with time expiring, senior forward Christian Standhardinger scrambled around the 3-point arc for the Black team, looking for the tying 3-point shot. He drove, was cut off, left his feet and tried to flip the ball behind his head to a teammate. Spearman was ready, and was quickly fouled after making the steal. He converted one of two for a four-point lead, putting the game out of reach with less than five seconds to go.
"I know Christian wanted to get that 3 and I know he likes to pass out at times. Just a vet move," Spearman said with a laugh.
It capped a back-and-forth competition that showcased shot-making ability from a variety of ‘Bows, as well as some raw play that demonstrated that it’s still extremely early in the preseason — just five practices in. In seasons past, NCAA teams wouldn’t have even started up full sessions for another 10 days.
Quincy Smith, point guard for the Black team, hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer of the 20-minute period to make the final margin 37-36 Green.
Victorious players were Keith Shamburger, Garrett Nevels, Spearman, Mike Thomas, Dyrbe Enos, Jack Hackman and Aaron Valdes. Shamburger and Nevels hit big 3-pointers down the stretch.
"You can tell in the real games they’re going to step up. No one’s afraid to take the big shot. So I think that’ll be huge for us," sophomore forward Isaac Fotu said.
Teams for the scrimmage were drafted beforehand by assistants Benjy Taylor and Brandyn Akana. The draft was preceded by a 20-minute session in which the ‘Bows’ primary rotation players — Shamburger, Smith, Nevels, Spearman, Standhardinger, Fotu and Davis Rozitis — had their way with the secondary and scout team players, 51-22.
After the two scrimmages, UH coach Gib Arnold brought everyone back in with the "One … OHANA!" cheer that’s replaced the "We are … CHAMPIONS!" decree of huddles past.
"I thought there were a lot of good things. The competitiveness was great," Arnold said. "The ball movement at times was really good. … There were a lot of things we need to work on, but for the most part I thought for four, five practices there was some pretty good execution."
The ‘Bows will play their official Green & White Scrimmage on Oct. 19 in preparation for the Nov. 8 regular-season opener vs. Tennessee State. In the meantime, they’ll go against each other with refs calling the action every Saturday.
Season tickets on sale
Season tickets for UH men’s and women’s basketball 2013-14 seasons go on sale Monday.
Men’s lower-level adult seats for the 19-game home schedule range between $445 and $465, while upper-level packages go for $230 for adults, $200 for senior citizens and $109 for youths (ages 4 through high school).
UH is also offering a "Combo Pack" for purchases of men’s basketball season tickets. For $30 more, a women’s 14-game home pass can be acquired, a savings of $40 on the $70 women’s stand-alone price for adult general admission.
Tickets may be acquired at the Stan Sheriff Center box office by calling 944-2697 or online at Hawaiiathletics.com.
