Rainbow Warriors spice up Summer League

The annual College Summer League in Manoa got a little more interesting on Tuesday night.

That was because a number of current Hawaii basketball players got in on the action, having just arrived for summer school. Previously, only local boys Dyrbe Enos and Zach Buscher were playing over the first few weeks.

Isaac Fleming scored 26 points while Aaron Valdes added 18 in Clark Hatch Fitness’ 114-107 win over Grantco Pacific. The Clark tandem of Leon Ballard and Kaunaoa McGee combined for 51 points. In the loss, UH redshirt freshman Brocke Stepteau scored 17 points for Grantco.

Clark Hatch Fitness had dropped its first two games but was clearly a new team with the addition of Valdes and Fleming. Valdes, sporting an elevated haircut, had a number of high-rising dunks for the appreciative crowd. Fleming had a number of slick passes to go with some effective drives. He saved his best for last with a fast-break dime off the glass to a trailing Valdes, who flushed it emphatically.

Note: I’m endeavoring to do a little more video these days, which you may have noticed above. If you hear a dripping sound in the video, that’s because it was just about pouring outside the Manoa gym.

You can see complete video of Tuesday’s action at the summer league’s website here.

UH point guard Roderick Bobbitt is listed on the Grantco roster but did not appear Tuesday.

With Valdes’ hops and Fleming’s dangerous first step, most of Tuesday’s fireworks came in the first game. But in the nightcap, a few more UH players were in action. Quincy Smith and Mike Thomas helped National Fire Protection move to 3-1 with a 112-110 edging of Wealth Strategy Partners.

Former Chaminade standout DeAndre Haskins led the way for NFP with a night-high 42 points, while guard Chris Summers added 29. Smith scored 20 and Thomas contributed 12.

In the loss, Stefan Jovanovic scored 14 points and Niko Filipovich four in a reserve role for Wealth Strategy. Ex-Bow Julian Sensley led that team with 23.

More interviews of UH players in the College Summer League to come as the league continues. Play resumes this Thursday then this Saturday at the Manoa Valley District Park gym. One of the Rainbows just spectating on Tuesday, Stefan Jankovic, should be in action Thursday for Chosen Few. As always, the games are at 6 and 7:30 p.m.