They hit the halfway point with confetti falling from the rafters, bells chiming and whistles tooting out a recognition that things have changed for the Hawaii at Hilo men’s basketball team.
They hit the halfway point with confetti falling from the rafters, bells chiming and whistles tooting out a recognition that things have changed for the Hawaii at Hilo men’s basketball team.
OK, fair enough, the confetti, bells and whistles were all imaginary, but when a last-second shot from the team’s leading scorer who had been without a field goal the entire game beats a team in the upper half of the conference, it’s only natural that the enthusiasm of accomplishment comes through loud and clear.
The timing of the dramatic 66-64 victory over Hawaii Pacific was also significant in that it came at the precise halfway point of the Pacific West Conference regular season schedule, prompting obvious questions about the second half.
Starting with, how good might this Vulcans team be, with a 4-6 record, injured and missing players returning? Is it unreasonable to consider reaching the top six, which means a berth in the postseason conference tournament?
It doesn’t seem all that far-fetched, considering the present shape of the conference standings, led by Azusa-Pacific at 9-1, with Concordia just one step back at 8-2. But then, it’s California Baptist — in town Monday — and Hawaii Pacific, tied with 7-3 records in third place.
Beating Hawaii Pacific even with their limited lineup, the Vulcans suddenly seem within striking range of the playoff picture, their optimism boosted by the return of Nate Walker, a 6-foot-5 starter from Tacoma, Wash., who transferred from Central Washington and missed the previous seven games on an academic eligibility issue.
Walker played 24 minutes and gave the Vulcans a presence inside on defense they sorely lacked when he was out. If 6-6 junior Darius Johnson-Williams is able to return from a meniscus injury and a recent procedure that was designed to clear up the problem, it’s not unreasonable to think the Vulcans might be able to make a second-half surge in the conference standings.
“We don’t know yet, but we’re hopeful that as the swelling goes down, (Johnson-Wilson) will be able to play Saturday,” coach GE Coleman said, “but you can’t expect him to be ready top go too hard right at the start.”
The halfway point of the season is an opportunity to see what might be out there for the second half, but it’s a luxury Coleman can’t afford.
“Before the season, getting to the postseason is absolutely on our minds,” coach GE Coleman said Sunday, “but when you’re 0-9 and missing key players like we were, all of that’s out the window; the only thing you can think about is the next practice, the next drill in the practice, the next game.
“We can’t be looking at the big picture,” he said. “We’re in one-game-at-a-time mode.”
That’s how coaches think, rightfully so. But the four-game road trip after Monday’s game does involve teams below the Vulcans in the standings.
First comes Cal Baptist, ranked 15th nationally, but losers in two of their last three games, one of those setbacks against Hawaii Pacific.
The Vulcans’ women’s team (4-5, 4-10), starts the Monday doubleheader at 5 p.m. and Cal Baptist (9-1, 17-1), listed in second place at 9-1 behind Academy of Art’s 10-0, but the Lancers are easily one of the hottest teams in the conference, having won 10 in a row, including a victory at BYU-Hawaii on Saturday.
Vuls at a glance
Who: Cal Baptist at UH-Hilo
When: Monday; Women, 5 p.m.; men, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Hilo Civic
Radio: 850 AM