HPU delivered a first collegiate win to new head coach Jesse Nakanishi, with 7-foot-4 center Matt Van Komen playing a big defensive role according to his coach. Concordia rolled through two traditionally tough GNAC teams to earn Team of the Week and Hilo’s Carlos Ramsey Jr. flirted with a triple-double as the Vulcans kicked off PacWest play with an early season win over Chaminade.
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PLAYER OF THE WEEK
UH-Hilo’s Carlos Ramsey Jr., G, Jr., 6-5, Milwaukee, Wisc.
It was just one game, but UH-Hilo’s Carlos Ramsey Jr. put up numbers worthy of a game ball in the Vulcans’ PacWest opening win over Chaminade. The 2022-23 PacWest Newcomer of the Year and Second Team pick dropped a career-high 31 points, had seven assists, seven rebounds and two steals in the 90-86 overtime win on Oahu. The Milwaukee native hit 12 of 22 shots from the field, was 3 of 7 from behind the arch and was 4 for 6 from the free throw line. Ramsey, Jr. scored nine of UH Hilo’s 11 points in overtime for the win.
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DEFENDER OF THE WEEK
HPU’s Matthew Van Komen, C, Gr., 7-4, Lehi, Utah
HPU put the defensive clamps down on two opponents in the Pacific Northwest, topping Simon Fraser (67-64) and Western Washington (83-67). It gave wins number one and two to new head coach Jesse Nakanishi. The first-year Shark leader said that 7-foot-4 center Matthew Van Komen had a lot to do with opponents scoring less than 70 points on both nights. “Matt’s presence anchoring our defense is incredible,” Nakanishi said. “Many players are just not used to trying to finish in the paint against an imposing 7’4 shot blocker. If he doesn’t block the shot he usually alters it.” Statistically, the grad senior and former St. Mary’s player had 12 rebounds and three blocked shots against the Red Leafs and Vikings.
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TEAM OF THE WEEK
Concordia University Irvine Golden Eagles
Concordia is off to a 3-1 start, picking up two of those wins last week against Western Washington (92-86) and Seattle Pacific (84-78)—traditionally, two of the best teams in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Against the Vikings, Connor Gleason nailed 8 of 9 shots on his way to 23 points, leading four Golden Eagles in double figures. Tim Adetukasi had an impressive line of 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Versus the Falcons, Adetukasi had 22 points on 10 of 14 shooting, while Tuckson Jackson had 17 and Kobe Sanders 16. Concordia also had a win over CS San Marcos in the opening weekend of the season.
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EARLY WEST REGION LOVE
Good starts by UH-Hilo (4-2), Concordia (3-1) and Biola (2-2) have place them in the D2CIDA West Region Top 10. The Vulcans are No. 4, Golden Eagles No. 7 and Biola is No. 9. Point Loma, Azusa Pacific, Academy of Art and HPU are among those receiving votes. See complete list in the link at the top of the page.
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PACWEST NEWS AND NOTES
Biola’s Maximo Milovich had 37 points and 17 rebounds as the Eagles beat Cal Poly Pomona (81-74) and lost to CS San Bernardino (65-58).
Bryce Sloan totaled 42 points in Azusa Pacific losses to Seattle Pacific and Western Washington. Teammate Ethan Speaker had 13 rebound against WWU.
Point Loma’s Jake Lifgren had 39 points and 14 boards in PLNU’s split of games against St. Martin’s (loss) and CS San Marcos (win).
Zacor Nedd had a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds in Hilo’s win at Chaminade. For the Silverswords, Isaac Amaral-Artharee had 26 points and seven boards.
While HPU’s defense was the main factor in big wins last week, Melo Sanchez provided the offense with 39 total points and 16 rebounds.
Dominican picked up its first win while also dealing CS East Bay its first loss (67-62). The Penguins also defeated CS Monterey Bay, 74-72.
Westmont had four players in double figures and two more with nine points each during a 76-69 win over San Francisco State.
Academy of Art’s Latrell Williams had 20 points and seven rebounds in a 86-75 loss to Chico State.
