Warrior Beat

Expanded coverage of UH football, including practice notes, game analysis, recruiting info and observations on the Mountain West Conference.

About the blog host

Stephen Tsai covers University of Hawaii football for the Star-Advertiser. Follow him on Twitter @StephenTsai and sign up for the Hawaii football newsletter here: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/email-signup/

Latest news

Hawaii football lands JUCO All-America receiver

By Stephen Tsai on April 1, 2020

“No April fool’s (joke),” Alonzell “Zelly” Henderson said, “yes, I will be a Warrior.” Henderson, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound inside receiver from College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif., said he is fully committed to accepting a scholarship from the UH football team. Because this is deemed a “dead period” — no in-person contact between coaches and a recruit — due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Henderson must wait until the NCAA restrictions are lifted before he can put his 2020 […]

NCAA ruling: Hawaii’s spring-sport seniors allowed to compete next season

By Stephen Tsai on March 30, 2020

UH’s spring-sport senior athletes will get a do-over thanks to an NCAA ruling. The Division I Council today approved a measure that will provide spring-sport players an “additional season of competition and an extension of their period of eligibility,” the NCAA announced today on its website. The ruling was made in response to spring-sport athletes whose seasons were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision essentially freezes each athlete’s current class standing, meaning a senior this year will be […]

Hawaii basketball lands 6-7 junior college standout Manel Ayol

By Stephen Tsai on March 23, 2020

Manel Ayol, a versatile junior college player, has accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team. Ayol, who recently completed his sophomore season at Western Wyoming College, said he will sign a letter of intent with the Rainbow Warriors. The NCAA’s signing period for basketball is set to begin on April 15, although that starting date might change as schedules are being reconfigured because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Ayol said he is firm in his […]

NCAA baseball: Oregon vs. Hawaii, Game #4

By Stephen Tsai on March 8, 2020

The day game provided few bright spots for the Rainbow Warriors in a 13-2 loss to Oregon at Les Murakami Stadium. > The ‘Bows already had clinched their second series win of the year by winning the first three games. But any hope of a sweep vanished when the Ducks kept scoring and scoring and pitcher Brett Walker kept posting zero after zero. Walker did not allow a baserunner until Tyler Murray‘s single with one out in the sixth. > […]

NCAA baseball: Oregon vs. Hawaii, Game 3

By Stephen Tsai on March 7, 2020

On another crazy night in windy Manoa, the Rainbow Warriors overcame a 5-0 deficit, gave up the lead, and then came back to beat Oregon, 7-6, on a sprint-off error. > Brandon Ross had the worst start of his UH career, failing to retire the four batters he faced while hitting the strike zone on only three of 16 pitches. But the ‘Bows were able to quell that jam behind Cade Smith, who pitched six gritty innings, striking out a […]

NCAA baseball: Oregon vs. Hawaii Game 2

By Stephen Tsai on March 6, 2020

In the biggest output of the baseball season, Hawaii pounds Oregon, 13-5, to take a 2-0 lead in this four-game series. Of note: > Aaron Davenport is proving to be the ‘Bows’ best starting pitcher. He allowed two runs while striking out nine in seven innings. The two runs he yielded in the third? It could be from the rust he accumulated during the ‘Bows’ six-run second that took 28 minutes. > Scotty Scott and Kole Kaler are a dynamic […]

NCAA baseball: Oregon vs. Hawaii Game 1

By Stephen Tsai on March 5, 2020

FINAL: It was a challenge early, but the Hawaii baseball team surged to a 6-4 victory over Oregon in tonight’s opener of a four-game series. Of note: > The ‘Bows were down 4-1 after five innings before rallying for five runs in the sixth. They did it against an Oregon bullpen that entered with a combined 2.14 ERA. > Shortstop Kole Kaler did two good things in that inning. He singled up the middle to drive in the tying and […]

Big West basketball: Hawaii vs. UC Riverside

By Stephen Tsai on February 29, 2020

UC Riverside spoiled Hawaii’s Senior Night with a 49-43 victory in the Stan Sheriff Center. The ‘Bows took a 40-39 lead with 4:38 to play when Eddie Stansberry hit three free throws. But the Highlanders scored 10 of the next 13 points to win going away. The Highlanders improved to 16-15 and 6-9 in the Big West. The ‘Bows fell to 16-12 and 7-7. * * * * * After 20 minutes, it’s all tied at 24. Thoughts: > As […]