Spearman leads Solar Universe to Summer League title
If the 2012 Hawai’i College Basketball Summer League is any indication, Brandon Spearman is a big-game player who knows what it takes to win championships.
Spearman, a 6-foot-3 junior guard, scored 45 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead Solar Universe to a 114-102 overtime victory over Flipbooks Hawai’i in the championship game of the Summer League. A standing room only crowd at the Manoa Valley Recreation Gym watched the No. 2-seed Solar Universe defeat the No. 1 seed Flipbooks Hawai’i.
“It feels wonderful,” Spearman said. “I haven’t had this feeling since I left my senior year of high school and came away with the state championship game … it’s an amazing feeling.”
Spearman – a transfer from Indian Hills Community College in Iowa – shot 16 for 25 from the field, including 5 of 11 from 3-point range. Most impressive, he scored 24 points in the second half, and added four in the decisive overtime. He also provided a crucial blocked shot on the final play of regulation that sent the game to overtime.
“I wanted to step up for the team,” Spearman said. “That’s pretty much my style — I can step up at any time. I just did it for the team.”
Spearman’s precise assist to Nahshon George for a layup tied the score at 101 late in the second half. On Flipbooks Hawaii’s final possession, Kaunaoa McGee attempted a jumper from the wing, but Spearman blocked it as the horn sounded.
“No foul, no foul,” Spearman insisted. “Thanks to the refs, they didn’t call anything.”
Spearman then scored the first basket of overtime on a mid-range jumper, and later drove down the middle of the lane for a soaring dunk that put Solar Universe in control for good at 106-101. Solar Universe out-scored Flipbooks Hawai’i 13-1 in the five-minute overtime.
“The difference in overtime? We wanted it more, so we took it,” Spearman said. “Simple as that.”
Fellow UH junior Christian Standhardinger finished with 24 points and 16 rebounds for Flipbooks Hawai’i. The 6-foot-9 forward shot 7 for 23 from the field, but went 10 for 10 from the free-throw line. He fouled out with 3:41 remaining in overtime, and Solar Universe then went on an 11-1 run to end the game.
Kamehameha Schools graduate Dyrbe Enos got limited action off the bench for Solar Universe , and contributed three points. He is expected to join the Warriors later this month. UH graduate assistant Nick Milan also played some valuable reserve minutes for Solar Universe and scored two points.
The game was intense – and physical – from start to finish. In the first half, Standhardinger and Solar Universe center Nahshon George got tangled several times in the post. In the second half, Solar Universe’s Rashaun Broadus and Flipbooks Hawai’i’s Kaunaoa McGee put on a dazzling display of back-and-forth showmanship.
Broadus (former Mililani High/BYU) finished with 33 points to back Spearman’s performance. McGee (former Kaiser High/Assumption College) led Flipbooks Hawai’i with 25 points.
Solar Universe took the championship trophy despite playing without two of its starters – point guard Derrick Low and forward Bobby Nash. Low has already departed for Europe to start training for his upcoming professional season, while Nash is on a family trip.
Four UH players were named to the All-Summer League Team: Standhardinger, Hauns Brereton, Isaac Fotu and Garrett Jefferson. Brereton captured the league scoring title with 34.8 points per game.
Game photos courtesy Brandon Flores/www.brandonfloresphotography.com. To view more photos from Saturday’s game, please visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/warriorinsider.
Thanks Dayton, Wes, Brandon, Clyde & WarriorInsider.com; All Year and for bringing the Whole Summer League Season to our fingertips…
Solar Universe (Ex-Electricians Hawai’i ) showing three straight summers how to win with whoever you got…Coach Artie lamented as this season started how he got to draft “Last” for UH players and we’re already a little team, the first player I wanted was Standhardinger and you can’t compare his 6-9 to little 6-3 Spearman.”… Looks like in the battle of fierce or ferocious hearts, Spearman got summer bragging rights….
Congratulations also to Christian, Hauns, Isaac and Garrett for their recognition in putting on a pretty good summer show…
Next altogether, build a good to great Winning D-1 Season…..
Dayton, Wes and Warriorinisider crew and great sponsors: You have all done a terrific job covering everything UH MBB the past few years..This year was something special, with all the spring exodus guys, it looked like a downer year..now with the showing of the returnees and new guys in summer league and open gym, and how you documented it on video so well …totally awesome. Appreciate all the updates with Gib and staff on how recruiting doing as well. On top of that, you have global followers too. I REALLY appreciate how you moderate our comments to keep it honest, real, yet dignified since families of Fotu’s, Harper’s, Breretons, etc, are following their sons UH MBB career..thank you we appreciate it. No need to go negative, or launch personal attacks..
Please Dayton, since football (American) will be starting soon, keep an ongoing coverage of the last possibly two recruits, if Shamburger is transferring in, and how pre season personal workouts with UH MBB is doing..we die hard MBB fans are loving the best UH MBB coverage on the planet: Warriorinsider!
Mahalo!
Great work as always Dayton and Wes. And mahalo to the site sponsors and advertisers. Pacific Risk Solutions and Valerie Schmidt and Chris Dias, thank you again.
I’m really looking forward to seeing what the new players can do against D-I competition. They won’t be scoring as much but I think Gib has recruited a group who can hold their own. If they put the team first, support each other and play together it should be fun!
so, hey, spearman should be the mvp.
That game was not for the faint of heart as the intensity from the players was matched only by the intensity in the stands. Gotta give it up to players from both teams who really came to play. And despite the frustration that nearly boiled over several times, there was good sportsmanship and respect shown after the game.
I commend Spearman for stepping up, yet still keeping his composure because it was extremely physical. Standhardinger got a bit out of his game because he plays so hard, but that tenacity led to several key shooting fouls and three-point plays and he was perfect from the line. Obviously, his fouling out hurt Flipbooks.
All in all, a great championship game and atmosphere to end the season. Now, we have to wait another few months for the real season to begin.
Let me add my thanks to the sponsors and Dayton, whose video-editing captures the essence of the game every time out.
too bad spearman wasnt’ 6’6..they say around a 38” vert but that has yet to be seen
the MVP said “i just want to win; i do everything that my coach told me to!”.
[my playing-time will be proportionally according to the level of concentration/execution with my skills regarding to set-plays, control of body & mind, defense, rebounding, handling the ‘rock’ TEAM-work..].
the SEASON shall be sound???
Brandon Spearman, he surpise me big time: when need to , he take over..reminds me JMO, another AC Carter type, make the pass, get the rebound, block the shot, make the steal, hit the 3, run the break, work the sets, defend, play the passing lanes..I mean, Spearman has those attributes,..here we go again. Fotu legit, Dressler BBIQ smart , get into shape,can contribute this year barring a RS decision, which I doubt, Clair, let the guy heal up, he got BB smarts, he going to play plenty too. Then the returnees A thru Z woked very, very hard…
Brandon could run point or be 2 or 3…he is a player..out of Chicago! good get Gib..welcome my man Brandon, now Artie going talk you up..where is your On point show Arturo?
Ten four Uhfanzonly1. Spearman surprised me too. Until tonight I was waiting to see what Spearman was all about. Now I know. It takes a pressure game to see who can perform under the lights and Brandon certainly passed the test. He simply took his gave to another level. He showed the whole package tonight; outside shooting, penetration, creating his shot, passing, and defense. You could definitely hear his voice communicating to the other players throughout the game. He not only led all scorers, he led the team with his leadership. Maybe Gib might have his combo point after all. Fact this guy could possibly take over games. La de da, November hurry up.
Thanks Dayton and company, athletes, and folks from Summer League.
we need a pg.
at this point the clock is ticking fast…
spearman is a great athlete but not a point guard.
my guess is that we have a week to find one. otherwise, we will have a tough time at times. our overall ballhandling and court vision is our achilles heel.
al: I don’t know how far back in the day you go with UH MBB..however, you remember Tom Newell(Pete Newell Big man camp coach, hall of famer), was a GUARD for UH in early seventies, he was good, I believe he was drafted by ABA or NBA not sure. When Jerome Henderson and Dwight Holiday joined the team 1970-71. The three of them rotated, I don’t recall anyone being called a point guard, I remember playmaker, however, Tom Newell could handle ball, shoot, defend, so could Jerome and Dwight Holiday very athletic scorer. By the time Artie Wison and Tom Henderson were a duo from 1972-1974, they were interchangeable Guards, handle ball, run sets, defend and shoot. So from the late sixites till mid seventies UH MBB had very good GUARDS, combo guards if you will, no point guards..nowadays it is so role specific, however look at Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook, Dwayne Wade,James Harden, Tony Parker.. would you call them point guards or combo guards? I think combo. and they are very successful..Maybe, JMO, Gib has the COMBO guards, point/shooting guards all in one, maybe three on the court at one time..Gib is recruiting for competition in the BWC..shooting to win the tourney and go dancing!!
Just my opinion..
So before Aug 20 2012 if there is no announcement of a Point guard signee for this year 2012-13, then you know Gib is going with the combo or big guards he has now, and they appear to be pretty good ones..just follow the coaches direction, play team ball, don’t jack wild 3’s , and take care of the ball, TEAM is going to be alright, I personally like how they have Tall strong guards..Spearman, Tavita, Jefferson, Jawato, Harper, and though lean , taller than Miah, Manroop at about 6’1′ or 6’2″..and the smallest guy Dyrbe, he is NOT afraid to shoot, he will have his chance , if guys are cold and they need a gunner off the bench..So al, let’s wait and see, no point guard
signee for last athlete for MBB for this year means, we got what we got, and Gib will be successful with them, their skillset is pretty high, they will be okay!!