Right-handed layup strikes back
It was at once impressive and highly predictable on the first night of the College Summer League on Saturday.
Former Hawaii all-conference forward Christian Standhardinger barreled into the paint again and again. Everyone knew where he was headed — to the right — and yet he kept drawing fouls, kept getting the ball up on the rim. Enough of those dropped for him to accrue 40 points and lead Grantco Pacific over National Fire Protection, 103-95 in the nightcap of the summer doubleheader opener.
“I play my game, no matter where. It’s always the same ugly game,” Standhardinger said. “But you know what, it’s efficient and it’s like I’m married to that game. I’m not gonna change my game for a better-looking game because my game was very good to me for the last years and I’m just going to crash the boards, play hard, hustle plays and that’s it.”
An ex-‘Bow of a finer vintage, Geremy Robinson, added 24 points in the win.
On a night when no 2014-15 Rainbow Warriors were in action, Standhardinger (and Miah Ostrowski in defending champion Wealth Strategy Partners’ 98-90 win over Clark Hatch Fitness in the opener) gave fans a reminder of the recent past. The crowd, as it has been for the last several years, was enough to fill the stands in the Manoa Valley District Park gym.
It was some of Standhardinger’s first officiated action since UH’s heartbreaking, season-ending loss to Cal State Northridge in the Big West tournament in March.
Summer opponents will get plenty more opportunities over the coming weeks to prepare, but on this night the right-handed layup was out in force.
“Everybody knows!” Standhardinger exclaimed. “Like, who doesn’t know it? I dunno why they don’t stop it, I’m still waiting for somebody to finally stop it. I dunno.”
He’s using the summer league to stay fresh for an upcoming professional career in Europe while he finishes up summer school.
“I have some offers from Italy, Spain and Germany,” Standhardinger said. “I gotta see where I go and right now I just keep in shape. And summer league helps me to do that. Then I will sign a contract around the end of July, beginning of August. So I just wait and finish up summer school. … I’m blessed that I can make my money doing what I love the most, and that’s playing basketball. I’m going to keep doing that.”
Former Chaminade swingman DeAndre Haskins scored an impressive 30 in the loss for National Fire. It seems he will have to be that team’s go-to scorer this summer.
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Former UH point guard Keith Shamburger was in the house watching most of the second game of the night. He leaves next week for his postgraduate year at Missouri. Expect to see him back in the islands for the Tigers’ appearance in the EA Sports Maui Invitational.
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As for the current ‘Bows, the first should be in action on Tuesday when Dyrbe Enos and Solar Universe take on Clark Hatch at 6 p.m.
Great to hear Shamburger was in house to watch a little game. I hope when the Mizzou comes into town that the Stan would give Shamburger a nice hand
Once a Warrior always a Warrior!
ahhhh,
can you delete my above post. I musta been in LaLa land writing that as Mizzou will be in the Maui Inv. not @ the Stan.
hahahahaha
pocho:
too bad Gib could not swing a deal with Mizzou to have a game before or after Mizzou’s game in Maui for a home game vs UH at SSC, that would easily draw close to 8000 if on Fri, Sat nite.
Shamburger vs the new mbb team.. would be battle of the ages. Interesting again, say what you will about Gib.. even guys that transfer out, still love and support their former team, even Manroop, the guys follow on social media..Harper etc,..they never ever forget balling in Hawaii, who wouldn’t. very special place!
Maybe DeAndre Haskins should transfer to UH? Just kidding! But he definitely can light it up.
Tyler Harville, might be that secret 3 ball weapon, a near 40% 3 ball percentage threat. He wants to prove himself in summer league, and perhaps fall practices, he is very, very anxious to start launching those trifectas, it would be unreal if he had a couple of 25-30 pt games, right off of the plane, on Thursday, and Sat. Also Brocke Stepteau, if his release is quicker, could be another 3 ball weapon, UH can use them for sure..NCAA champs, to FIBA champs to NBA champs, need a knockdown, cold blooded bunch of 3 ball marksmen. should be exciting, ..and Derek, do not count out a healthy Jawato, he have a little more arc on his shot, in rhythm, he might be that 7 for 7 three ball threat. The more 3 ball shooters. in addition to Negus and Nevels, UH will be in every game they play.
Mizzou giveth (two), and then it taketh (one) away.
Thanks for the good write-up Brian, Looking-forward to the follow-ups on all the UH newbies when they showed-up. Mahalo!
Brian:
Did Deante Hearn play Saturday? And if so, did he rebound make shots, or assists, play defense. In other words can he play NCAA DI ball. If he could make UH MBB team as walkon, and he has legitimate 6’4″ maybe 200+ size and strong, he could help the 3/4 spot in BWC. Just depends if he is a legit DI baller?
Mahalo Brian. Later look forward to your thoughts, always spot on, on Bobbitt, Fleming, Reyes if he makes it, by miracle this July, Enos improvement?, Thomas game elevate? Harville and Stepteau legit fast combo scorers..For Fisher and Coach to go out to Dallas to see Brocke, they must have that extra gear ..,.and to commit to preferred walkon that is something..along with Buscher, if Hearn makes squad..and one more question for the die hard, or really live right for UH MBB fans, what about Nikola Filopovich, will he be back, if so that would make potentially 6 walkons. A virtual all guard, very quick and just shoot the three ball, on ball pressure scout team, could really help the first 12 rotation guys..just pressure, pressure, in bounds..double and triple down on Fotu and Thomas, Jovanovich, trap Bobbitt, Fleming, Smith and Nevels…that walkon scout team can really help 12 scholarship guys,not slack but get better by march, maybe reason why Gib seems to have 5 or 6 walkons every year now…for scout and preparation, and chance that one or two will earn scholarship, which the real crowning touch, beautiful for Valdes this year!
Deante Hearn was in the starting lineup for National Fire Protection and was in for maybe half the game total. He was playing as an undersized forward, 6-4 could be about right. He took a couple shots inside and a couple 3s — didn’t connect on any. Grabbed a couple rebounds and had maybe one assist.
I don’t know yet what kind of chance he has to successfully walk on. My gut tells me the team is pretty well stocked already with non-scholarship players, so it could be difficult.
As far as I know, Filipovich will be back as a walk-on for his redshirt freshman season.
Brian…mahalo !!
For info on Hearn..
Brian:
Watched video from manoa blog..that guy has great video hilites sometimes cannot understand audio
and announcer..didn’t hear hearn’s name..
kind of off the wall question..I know thatt tyler brown wa in starting lineup and didn’ t do much ..sets good picks though..
Brian you think tyler still has bb eligibility and think of walking on..know he tried to walkon to uh football few year’s ago..?
Yeah Tyler Brown was there, and started as well. It’s possible he has one year of hoops eligibility left (he played as a freshman in 2011-12 before going out for football). Pretty doubtful, however, that he rejoins hoops … Gib to date hasn’t taken back any players who leave hoops to go out for football.
Brian:
Will Bobbitt, Fleming, Stepteau be in town for second UH summer school session and manoa summer league by this weekend?
Also, sorry, different topic, Gib gets that one year extension through 2014-15 because of that clause, 20 win season. So Ben Jay, could say that is it, one more season, However, on other blog, for a thinking UH upper and lower campus, regents, chancellor, and Athletic dept boss, good question, why keep a lame duck coach, who has athletes that can compete for a deep run maybe in post season, then let him go? Would be weird. Plus, a new , supposed big name coach, will not take job at less or same as Gib makes.
They would want a Mack FB coach, deal, that was an unreal contract. sorry that it ended up that way..You know Brian, it is NOT JUST Gib, it is the whole thought process and sixties or seventies type of mindset, UH has to think in 21st century..Gib might not be perfect, he will learn hard way from ncaa, however, he brings excitement, and no one is on the fence in regards to feelings about Gib.. I like his passion, his kids are doing well in school, and even transfers, are good life time friends with Hawaii, the fans, and fellow teammates..
Key I think, ncaa, finish their findings, before end of JULY 2014 , come on, UH dues paying member, they should at least get the benefit of the doubt, however only quick decision? WBB with 6th year granted to Shawna Lei Kuehu, that was quick! Hope UH, locks in Gib for another couple of year’s and few transfer outs, kids graduate, as well, as talent, and incoming potential pipeline, a lot of kids want to come here, they know they can play in BWC..Go Bows..and thanks for information, the latest, the very good MBB beat writer, who
loves UH as a alumnus too, like me! Mahalo Brian,…sheesh, we have to vent, no ill will toward either side of UH MBB issue, however, Gib is working really hard..now has to maybe get two assistants, and UH and union, state law has to post soon, ncaa has to get findings finalized, slows everything down..who knows, in December, if UH wins DHC, and defeats, BYU, and Pitt, by that time we will go ALRIGHT!
In fact even though in school, remember Valdes, his being able to play that freshman year had to go through NCAA clearinghouse, poor guy, and the fans, we had to wait, and wait, finally determined Valdes would RS, I hope the guy is working, grinding, at about 6’6″ 210 he can be, if he wants it a terrific SF and hybrid 4, Valdes has super bounce!