Division 1 Unversity Hawaii Warriors

Defeated UH-Hilo last week 76-65 at the Stan Sheriff Center and will face the BYU-H Seasiders Thursday night at 7.pm . The warriors are a very talented and extremely well coached team under the direction of Bob Nash and his staff who have a lot of big men and a roster of players who will blend in with #23 Roderick Flemings who was named an All American at his junior college,Sharp shooting Hirman Thompson and their big man from Brazil,Douglas Kurtz 7-0 who was looking forward to playing against Lucas Alves who is out with knee problems,They have a big lineup with Bill Amis 6-9,chinese player Xiang 6-10, Paul Campbell,6-10 and Petras Balocka 6-8 senior from Lituania a very tough player.I cant say who we will start as it changes from day to day, players coming down with the flu,2 were in the hospital this week and one had stomach surgery and still waiting for test results on the other guard.But that Life and you cant make excuses and to be the best-You have to play the best and I am sure our players will step up to the challenge and will carry on and learn from this contest as the Warriors tuneup for WAC play and upcoming opponent Southern Utah in the Rainbow classic. We return home Friday night for our Alumni game in the CAC at 7.30pm ,Enosa,Russell,Akana,Akina and a some more surprises as we start into our season. Keep up your great support-WE need it!

#1 Ranking first in Hawaii

Said Gary Rubin,publisher of Division II Bulletin that a team from Hawai'i has been ranked number one in our preseason Top 25. We felt that BYU-Hawaii has the talent to carry onto the national stage. In preseason rankings by the Sporting News we are #2.I do not know of any other NCAA Division I or II Hawaii basket ball team has received this honor .I remember many years ago that Chaminade was rank #1 in the NAIA when we defeated them in the Blaisdell and we made our first trip to the Nationals in Tulsa OKLA.We have the NCAA II Player of the year Lucas Alves,and Cousy award finalist J.R. Buensuceso,Pac West Freshman of the Year Jet Chang and a great rebounder and player Marques Whippy who was on our 27-2 Championship team.Also some outstanding recruits that fit in well with this team.And the # 1 fans in America,Get your season tickets and tell your friends to come out also. Go Seasiders !

Seasiders Men rank #2 in nation

Coach Akana inform me today that in the first Poll of the season the Seasiders are ranked # 2 in the nation.This shows the respect that the Coaches and Raters of Division 2 NCAA has for the program that Coach Wagner has built up since he took over the reins when we were still in the NAIA.It is a great honor but a lot of concern goes with it.Being rank in the top 10 always makes you a target for your opponent and its is the rank at the end of the season that matters.Our team is ready for any challenge and excited to get it on.We know that it is the players and staff of our previous teams among with our great players we have now that has contributed to this national recognition and it is well deserved for all the hard work and effort to make this program one of the best in the nation.We have the number 1 fans in the World and keep it up,Get your season tickets now and get ready for a fun pack exciting season.

Whole New Season

I am excited to be part of the staff and team this season.Coach Wagner held our first Team meeting today and it was great to meet the returning players and to get to know the new Seasiders also. The meeting left no doubt in any body mind of their purpose for being here and what is expected of each one of us. Our first road game is November 5 playing the University of Hawaii Warriors and it should be a good test for both of us. We are having a fund raising drive for our program and please help us in our efforts. The players and Coaches are going door to door selling season tickets and letting the community get a chance to meet our players.
You fans were awesome last year and Mahalo for your support.

WE lost

What can you say-I cant even write except to wish the Broncos the best in the NCAA championship.I am closing down as I am too sick to write,For me its over,Some of the coaches will be going to Springfield and Div 1 final four and basket ball will continue for them but its over for me-I felt like we would go all the way but had bad thoughts before this last game,We ran out of Jet fuel and still on the run way waiting to score.Thanks for all your support and comments.Aloha!

Do You Remember ?

How the years go by, Look how young Coach Wagner & Rob Neilson look-I still look the same-Walter is in Nebraska now as a Asst. Coach and has any body heard from Wadu? please post your comments as I want to know if any one is reading this! Go Seasiders all the Way!

NCCA CHANGE PLAY OFF DATE

I can remember when the play offs were in Okla and Calif and we left the day of the banquet from Hawaii and played the next day,we also never travel as a full team as the airlines were not able to get us all out on the Same Plane,some of the team flew with an Asst. Coach and some of us arrive the day before the game.Now the powers to be does not even call to tell us that Cal Poly wants to come on their terms and want to travel on 1 plane,We got an e/mail saying they were not leaving on Sunday from Seattle and we would play Wed. night.Did they consider us at all in making this big decision as some parents will miss the game because of this change,Some will not have housing and we may not have live TV as this last minute change might not be in their schedule,plus we have some international parents who may not be able to change their tickets nor make arrangements. Sorry Fans but that is way they said it will be,Come out for the game,get your tickets early and also wish Coach Akana Happy Birthday!
GO SEASIDERS!

Sweet Sixteen for Seasiders

The Seasiders(27-1) defeated the toros of Cal State Dominguez 84-71 to advance to the Championship round,Tuesday night at the Cannon Center vs Cal Poly Pomona for the Pac West Regional Title and vie for the right to be in the Elite Eight at the home of Basket Ball in Springfield Mass.Lucas Alves scored 27 points & 9 rebounds.Once again it was a total team victory for the siders and thrilled the fans and parents who travel from afar to see their Son play.Marques dad came from Fiji to see his son excite the crowd with his Rebounding and passing skills.The State of Hawaii is caught up in Seasider fever and the Cannon Cuckoo's kept the crowd entertained along with the Mayor of Honolulu Mufi Hannerman.Come out Tuesday night and watch the Seniors who will play their last game in the Cannon Center and cheer the team on as they play for the Regional Championship.GO SEASIDERS

Seasiders win Regional opener

Seasiders had 5 players in double figures,led by JR Buensuceso 21 points to defeat Humboldt State last night at the Cannon Center,The fans really helped the seasiders pull away from a well coached Lumberjack team by their cheering and demanding Defense in the waning moments of an exciting game. The Lumberjacks end their season at 20-12,while the Seasiders 26-1 meet Cal State Dominguez 22-7 for the right to play the winner of the Sub Regional being held at Western Washington this weekend and the winner goes on to the Elite Eight in Springfield Mass later on this month. GO SEASIDERS !

BYU TV Nation & Foreign Wide

Seasiders road to the Championship begins Friday night on the Seasiders home court against Humboldt State at 7:30 pm.All the games the Seasiders play will be shown on BYU-TV which is on many cable networks in America and many foreign countries.Check your local time for all the live action at the Cannon Center.Lucas Alves was name NCAA West Regional Player of the year for division 2 and also placed on the Region first team. JR. Buensuceso is a finalist for the Bob Cousy award given to the best point guard in the NCAA. The Seasiders are focus and ready to attain their goals they have set. GO SEASIDERS !

Super Jet Hits for 32-Seasiders are 23-1

Tsung-Hung Chang known as Jet by his team mates and fans lead the Seasiders to a 97-94 victory over the Chaminade Silver Swords where an upset minded Team came out and lead most of the game until Jet took over and the 3 point % changed to 80% in the second half. He had 5 rebounds along with his hot hand and the clutch free throwing of AJ Reilly who was perfect from the foul line hitting 7 for 7 and sealing the victory in the final seconds as time expired. Nathan Sims was 2 for 2 from the 3 point arc and made them at a crucial time in the game. Nate lead the team with 6 rebounds. Lucas Alves was triple team most of the game and still wound up with 18 points and his foul shooting iced it with 6 for 6 from the foul line. Garrett Sandberg also was perfect from the foul line 2-2. It was a total team victory and we welcome the return of Trenson Akana & Marcus Whippy this friday and Saturday as we play HPU Sea Warriors at the Cannon Center.Come out and support the Pac West Champions in their final home game before we host the Regional Tournament the following week as the #1 seed. Go Seasiders !

Seasiders inprove to 22-1

11-0 in conference play against a upset minded feisty Chaminade team who led most of the first half and almost perfect from the foul line while the Seasiders would have been up by 15 points if it was not for the lowest foul shooting percentage this season.After a blistering speech and some adjustments in our defense and offense rotation.They woke up and refuse to lose on our home court.Chaminade play hard and is a very athletic group of players and well coach but foul trouble and a squad of 8 players had them playing in the last 2 minutes with 4 players on the court.The out come was already decided as the Seasiders were over the century mark and the fans were treated to ice cream again as the final score read 109-104 and the 22th victory for the Seasiders were in the record books.The game was mar with bad calls on both sides and letting it get out of control.It is being decided at this moment what players from both teams will not suit up for tonight's contest against the Silverswords at St.Louis gym.A fight started over a cheap shot by a Chaminade player in the waning moments of the game in front of their bench and our players jump in to defend their team mates who were being pulled into their seats and pounded,It could have been a lot worse if our peacemakers were not there to defend their team mates.Lucas Alves wound up being the highest scorer with 28 points,followed by Sims and whippy with 17 points.
Again it was a total team victory and you missed a great game.Watch for an important announcement Sunday concerning the Seasiders. Go Seasiders#3 in the Nation

Seasiders Win 18st game in Phoenix

They return home today after a grueling road trip starting in Hilo and ending in Phoenix Ariz. Winning all five games and setting new school records in the process of taking care of business and being away from their loved ones and friends.It is not an easy task to win all of your games on the road and this shows maturity in our team and being focus on the goals we set at the beginning of the season.This team is very special and I love them!They play together as a team and they pick up the slack when one member is being double team or he is having a poor night. Any one on our team could start and this is the type of team which wins championships.One night Trenson will be the high scorer,next game it will be Jet coming off the bench, Jr scoring 25 points and making all 5 of his 3 points attempts,Lucas,Marus,Jermaine and Nate working the boards and out rebounding their opponent's,great defense from AJ and making the clutch fouls shots in Hilo along with Lucas when time was running out.The guys that do not get much playing time, working hard in practice to make the starters better and to improve their own game,knowing they could be in the game at any time.Troy is one of the best managers we ever had always helpful and smiling and doing a great job.Gabe Roberts does an excellent job in getting game tape broken down for us to watch for up coming opponents, he loves basket ball and will be a great coach some day.Brandyn was one of the best to ever play for the Seasiders and no one is better than coming up with a game plan than him and Coach Ken Wagner.Ken amazes me in the way he can recount a game in Hilo 10 years ago,2 mins on the clock,the score and name of the players for the Vulcans,He is not only a great coach but a great friend and role model for every one around him.Its fun to have Leonard & Wade on the bench with their sense of humor and knowledge of game they gain from being coaches and players. Thanks to all the wives and friends who have the best post game meals in the state.We love it and finally Mahalo to all our loyal fans and supporters.Next game-Chaminade at CAC. this Saturday Feb. 28-7.30pm

Seasiders Clinch Title

Seasiders won the Conference title in St. George Utah against the Dixie Rebels who keep saying in their lost in Hawaii where the loyal Seasiders fans had ice cream in the lop sided victory-Just wait until we play you at home and we will see. The Seasiders did not seem too afraid of the trash talking and challenge as they raced off to a 92-77 victory and probably could had scored another 100 points on their home court.Dixie is a well coach team and have some good players but its better to just play and let the score show who is the better team.
So much for the cry baby's who said BYU-H cant win on the road,This is their 4th road game victory that began Febuary 10 in Hilo and will finish up Febuary 23 against a great Grand Canyon team who always give the Seasiders a battle.The Seasiders are 20-1 now-10-0 in conference play and will return home to play Chaminade Febuary 27 who lost at the buzzer last night against the Hilo-Vulcans.Coach Wagner and his staff were very pleased in the team performance last night and it truly was a team Victory.Way to go Seasiders.

Seasiders Begin Road Trip

It always amazes me that the powers to be on the Mainland do not get the picture about the Road games in regard to the strength of the teams here and that we have the toughest region in
DII basket ball. They say we play most of our road games in Hawaii and that is an advantage for us-They complain of the officiating and complain of getting homer.That is a bunch of BS! Northern Kentucky plays most of their road games in Kentucky and that is OK because where else are they supposed to play? We live in Hawaii same thing! As any former player or Coach will tell you that has been on a road trip to Hilo ,Hawaii Pacific, and Chaminade it is just as bad as going to Arizona,California and Utah. We are 18-1 and our Team starts another road trip after returning from Hilo winning both games on Tuesday &Wend say.Feb 17 we are in California,Feb 20 we are in Utah,Feb 23 we play in Arizona . This is a very tough road trip traveling to three different states and returning home on Feb. 27 to play Chaminade.I know The Seasiders are eager to play and off to the greatest season in the history of BYU-H basket ball. I will give you an inside tip to look for the next time you watch a game-Look for the no calls an official makes that will not show up in the score book or next day newspaper.Many games have been decided by the official looking the other way or saying it was not his call. Most referee's are professional and do a great job but you never know until you go on a Mainland road trip,All you can do is sit down and shut up as they are just waiting to give you a T. It is not fair to either team as they are playing their hearts out and think the best team will win. Go Seasiders!

Seasiders Rank # 3

The Seasiders are 18-1 and rank # 1 in the Pac West conference and have the highest ranking ever in the nation being rank #3.We have won 15 straight games and equal the 91-92 final four team. I also think they did the impossible in winning 2 games in a row on the Vulcans home court in Hilo and any one that knows basketball will tell you it is a remarkable feat in its own self.
Coach Ken Wagner has more victories on the Hilo Vulcans home court than any other coach in the history of the program.I know how hard it is to win over there as an assistant coach who went over there for many years before we won a single game and now Coach Wagner has brought the program to new heights with his no nonsense style of coaching and taking care of business in Hilo and not making it into a Vacation and sight seeing tour. The team was focus and the coaching staff had answers for anything the Vulcans came after them with,They made their free throws down the stretch and gain more insight to what you need to do to win on the road.This team is a very special team and deserves more media attention than one line,but this is not my job and it seems like all of the fans think we get enough coverage and it is no big thing,If no one speaks up it will remain the same.I know things would change if you ask the right people What is the reason for the lack of press coverage-but it seems like no ones care to call or speak up.This team is very special to me, they control their destiny as to how far they want to go-Keep supporting them and may be things will get better with the small one line entries in the local paper.There is a nice article in the Deseret news and LDS news about the Seasiders and the international look of our team,Each one of our starting five is from a different country. Please add your comments as I want to make this your page. Go Seasiders

Seasiders Improve to 12-1 Beating HPU

How many of you Seasiders fans know that we are 12-1 and we lead the nation in field-goal percentage (53.4),three point field goal shooting percentage(43.9) and rebound margin (12.7)
Trenson Akana our senior guard leads the nation with a 54.9 3-pointer percentage, Not to repeat the fact we are rank 5th in the nation and I strongly feel we could be rank as high as # 2 or 3 in the next national ranking poll to come out this week. Another Question I want to ask and get your opinion on is What if the Hawaii Men basket ball team had these same honors ,or Chaminade,Hilo, Hpu , Do you think this news would be buried in a news report where Grand Canyon beats Hilo and by the way BYUH Seasiders leads the nation in 4 categories. A one line mention of BYUh was all we got. I know for Sure if any other Team in Hawaii had this record it would have mention on the front page of the paper and a big headline on the front page of the sports section of our daily papers!
The excuse is that the Daily papers don't like the Seasiders and wont write anything about them, That is simply not the truth,The papers depend on News to attract readers and advertisers to sell space and subscriptions,The Sports editors could care less about your religion,How big your school is,personal friendship with sports writers,and on &on&on. If this is true why does Coach Porter and his teams gets nice write ups which they deserve and I think is great,even the Lady Volleyball team and Coach Navalta deserves the recognition also. Laie community and the North Shore buy papers and buy advertising also,Try this if you want the real answer -Call the sport editor of either daily newspaper and ask them why they don't write any news of this magnitude about our team.I think you will be surprised when they answer you! I know the answer,most of you do also.It is a disservice to a fine team of young man ,their coaches and to the University they represent.This could be reverse in a week if you demand answers and let the card fall where they made. It is way past putting up with weak excuses. (oh by the way we won our game against the Seawarriors 72-54) not very much info,right? you can be like the rest and watch it for free Thursday night on channel 16 and maybe submit to the paper-Old news but better than no news! We will face the Academy of Art Monday 7:30 pm at the Cannon Center. Go Seasiders !

Seasiders Rank Number # 5

From number 8 in last week national ranking the team jump 3 spots to number 5 as the Seasiders have went over the century mark in their last 2 Victory's. Lucas Alves was chosen as the Pac West
Player of the week,The Seasiders continue to play great defense and their field goal shooting for the last 2 games has been 68%. Our goal of being the best rebounding team in the nation has really contributed to our 11-1 record and we outrebounded Notre Dame De Namur by 27 rebounds in the final stats. I hope we will get more ink from the media now as the Season is at the half way point now and its a shame that the Seasiders coverage continues to be minimal or nothing at all or at best a few lines included in The ladies Seasiders game write up from our media people.
I continue to hear from the fans whenever I run into them or parents calling me to find out the score and what is going on with our Men Basket Ball Team and I listen to them but all I can do is to tell them to read this blog and I will do my best to keep you inform on our Team. I appreciate your comments and will forward them on.The #5 Seasiders meets HPU again this Saturday,24,
7:30pm in Honolulu at the Blaisdell arena. Go SeaSiders !

Ice cream Night

The loyal Seasiders fans were treated to ice cream which is a tradition started by Coach Wagner when he became the Head Coach of the Seasiders 19 years ago and turned the program into one of the most respected programs in the NAIA and Divison ll.Any time the team scores a 100 points or more the fans begin rushing to the door for free ice cream.Nick Holliday was the ice cream man last night as he hit a 3 pointer in the waning moments to the delight of the fans who were very vocal in cheering the Seasiders on to victory on a well coached and disciplined Notre Dame De Namur team that refused to give up the entire game . The Seasiders led by 27 points at half time.The hot shooting Seasiders were 63.8% for the game in field goal %. The Seasiders led in rebounding by a margin of 26 rebounds,46 vs 19. The final score was 104-67. Jet Chang was the high point man in scoring 20 points in 17 minutes of playing time,he is such a fun player to watch with his speed and shooting skills.Lucas Alves had 18 points and 9 rebounds, Marcus Whippy had 10 rebounds & 8 points.It was a total team effort from the start and Coach Wagner began subbing early in the game and the reserves got a lot of playing time and valuable court experience against a good ball club. Our next game will be Saturday,January 24, 7;30pm vs.
HPU in the Blaisdell Center. Go Seasiders

Sesiders Deserve Better

Than 1 line in our daily newspapers about our national rank men basket ball team currently ranked #8 and surely will move up next week with out any help from our local press or sport people who are paid to promote BYUH sports. A short 7 line recap on our sport web page was all we had .The Seasiders have won 7 straight games,3 of which were conference games .Our record stands at 10-1 and the fans are asking why is there such a lack of news about the team,Why don't we have any posters and schedule of The Seasiders posted on the north shore,When is the last time we had a media guide?Why is there no SID from our school to be present at all our away games in Hawaii to promote our team, to answers questions from the rival school sport information department and to promote our team to the media and to insure the results are in the next morning paper instead of staying home and watching Local TV of the game instead of being there and doing what you get paid to do.I don't blame you for asking because we deserve better,I don't have the answers to all these questions,I know we have some one from the Sports information when We have a road trip to the mainland, regardless of whet er it is Volleyball, Tennis, or Basketball,men or women. I am not the person to ask but I am sure there is a valid reason for the lack of news.I know it was not always like it is now,Every school in our conference has a media guide except us, Maybe when we win the National Championship we will get some publicity and a media guide.Oh by the way we beat Chaminade in a conference road game 106to Chaminade97 and the Seasiders Dominated the entire game. Go SeaSiders

Seasiders Rank #8

The new poll has the Seasiders in the number eight spot in the latest national rankings that came out Tuesday,January 13,2009. A must win on the road in conference play is against the Chaminade Silver Swords at the St.Louis gym in Honolulu this Thursday,January 15, at 7:30pm.
The contest will be shown on TV, Channel 16. The lady Seasiders game will be televised also starting at 5:30 pm. Come out and see the action as we need your support in this rival game that I have seen many hard fought battles since 1985.Coach Wagner has won more games against the Silver Swords than any other BYUH Coach.I will give you an update on the outcome Friday morning.
GO SEASiders!

Big Win on the Road

In PAC West conference play against The HPU Seawarriors Saturday night on the Sea Warriors home court. The Seasiders shot a 68% field goal % and were leading by 30 points at half time
in favor of the red hot Seasiders who could no wrong against a well coach and athletic team lead by Rishi Kakad who tally 23 points for the SeaWarriors. The Seasiders took over the boards on both ends and total 42-24 a big difference of18 plus for the hard banging Siders led by Marcus Whippy having 11 rebounds & 12 points.Jermaine Odjegba 5 rebounds and Nate Sims 4 rebounds.It was a fun night for the fans and Coaches watching JR Buensuceso drive to basket and making impossible shots and converting his foul shots in his hard nose action. Speaking of Hard nose and tough guys, Treason Akana stands out a player who always manage to give up his body and get a charging foul call against his man he is defending.Jr & Treason had 16 points each.This team is one of the best Teams I have had a opportunity to be a part of and we admire them for playing with pain,being unselfish and the team chemistry is great,They truly do not care who starts the game and no one is afraid to take the winning shot.Our big men are unsung hero's in their shot blocking and rebounding efforts.Jet Chang is a joy to watch and works really hard among with AJ Reilly who always steps up to any challenge Coach Wagner gives him.We might move from #9 to a lower number Tuesday but the only concern now is getting ready for the battle Thursday night 7:30 pm conference road game against Chaminade.Come out and support the Seasiders.You guys are great!

Next Road Game

The next road game is this Saturday, January 10, 7:30 pm against Hawaii Pacific University at the Blasdell.On Thursday January 15, 7:30 pm it is Chaminade .Sorry for the wrong infromation and keep on supporting and come out for these crucial away games.Today Trivia Question-What Seasider asst.Coach son played for the Seasiders, hint-there is more than one.