By KEVIN JAKAHI
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
When the Hawaii Hammerheads open their preseason against Maui United on Saturday at UH-Hilo gym, local fans will be in for a treat with the return of Scott Prather.
The Maui High product was the ultimate underdog during his time at UHH (1998-2002). As a Vulcan senior, Prather stood 5 feet 11 and weighed 150 pounds.
But, boy, could he play, and Prather torched South Carolina State for 37 points in the long-gone Big Island Invitational Basketball Tournament, which pitted the Division II Vuls against a field of Division I foes.
Back then his old UHH coach, Jeff Law, told the Star-Bulletin: “Seeing him from afar, just going through the lay-up line, you think, ‘Here’s a skinny little kid, I’m going to eat his lunch.’ But I guarantee you, that skinny little kid causes a lot of coaches and players sleepless nights trying to figure out how they are going to handle him. He requires a lot of preparation.”
That upset against South Carolina State ended UHH’s 23-game losing streak at the BIIBT. He was later named to the PacWest’s first team.
Prather, a four-year Vul starter, took his point-guard skills to New Zealand, where he played pro ball from 2004 to ’06.
He was inducted into the UHH Hall of Fame in 2012 and is now a teacher at Seabury Hall, where he coaches the basketball team.
And maybe it’s fitting that the Spartans are a Division II team like his old Vulcans.
Last season, Kalani defeated Seabury Hall 56-46 in overtime in the semifinals. The Spartans beat Honokaa 52-43 for third place.
It was something of a reunion between old Vuls. Honokaa coach Jayme Carvalho also played for UHH, though his era was from 1994-98.
The Maui United roster is filled with former college players, but there’s only one who’ll always be remembered as UHH’s local favorite underdog.
All of the Hammerheads will be present except for ball-wizard point guard Austin Treweek, who’s still in Australia.
Net notes: Due to a scheduling conflict, the Konawaena High girls and boys are not playing in the billed Battle of the Big Island.
Instead, it’s an East vs. West battle. Following are the high school rosters:
• Girls East
Saydee Aganus
Maddie Hwang
Mandi Kawaha
Mindy Kawaha
Jordyn Mantz
Keani Midel
Dominique Pacheco
• Girls West
Shaleina Bird
Makenzie Kalawai’a
Kayla Pak
Teijah Rosas-Suenishi
Kaliana Salazar-Harrell
Kaena Tagabi
Keighsha Walker
• Boys East
Kaukahi Alameda
Kia’i Apele
Randon Arima
Liko Medeiros
Jerek Prudencio
Keegan Scanlan
Will Soares
Jonah Tominaga
Noa Tominaga
• Boys West
Kamalu Akana
Gabe Bergen
Ace Bernal
Kayden Bolos
Bradley Cabico
Seth Gates
Weston Gorospe
Shane Namnama
Stanley Namnama
Neth Nathon
Caleb Padasdao
Branden Pagala
Gunny Ramirez
Schedule
What: Battle on the Big Island
When: Saturday, Sunday
Where: UHH gym
Info: hihammerheads.com
Saturday
10 and under
Warriors Gold vs. B Elite, 10 a.m.
Panaewa vs. Keaau Chargers, 10:45 a.m.
Hi Lyfe vs. B Elite, 11:30 a.m.
Warriors Gold vs. Panaewa, 12:15 p.m.
Hi Lyfe vs. Keaau Chargers, 1 p.m.
High school
East Hawaiii vs. West Hawaii girls, 2 p.m.
East Hawaii vs. West Hawaii boys, 4 p.m.
Preseason
Hammerheads vs. Maui United, 6 p.m.
Sunday
12 and under
Warriors vs. Hi Lyfe, 10 a.m.
Fly Girls vs. Panaewa, 10:45 a.m.
10 and under
Warriors Gold vs. Warriors White, 11:30 a.m.
12 and under
B Elite vs. Panaewa, 12:15 p.m.
Hi Lyfe vs. Fly Girls, 1 p.m.
B Elite vs. Warriors, 1:45 p.m.
Girls exhibition
Hoop Dreams vs. OHB, 2:30 p.m.
Preseason
Hammerheads vs. Kauai Stars, 4 p.m.