Pre-game at Kealakehe High
The time-tested description of “it’s like a high school gym” will be the truth when the Hawaii basketball team plays Hawaii-Hilo on Friday, December 16.
The Warriors and Vulcans will play the game at Kealakehe High School Gymnasium in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. It will be a neutral site for both teams, as UH-Hilo had to make a two-hour drive to get to Kailua-Kona. The Vulcans, however, are the designated “home” team.
The Warriors got a sneak peak at the gymnasium on Friday afternoon during the pre-game shootaround.
“It brings back high school memories, but high school was the good days, so they’re good memories,” junior forward Joston Thomas said. “In high school, I used to go for 40 (points).
“We just have to channel it in right now. Even though it’s a high school court, it’s still a game. We have to play for 40 minutes and play our style of basketball.”
It was an interesting pre-game practice session, as five Warriors were not present. Friday was the last day of final examinations on the UH-Manoa campus, so those five players had to complete tests on Friday morning. They will join the team on Friday afternoon.
