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A classy class of seniors in 2014

SpearChristian_Montana

If good things come in threes, the 2014 senior class for the University of Hawai’i basketball team is evidence.

Davis Rozitis, Brandon Spearman and Christian Standhardinger were equally valuable to the Warriors, but in vastly different ways.

The three will be honored after the Warriors’ season finale on Saturday night, when they host Cal State Fullerton at the Stan Sheriff Center. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m., and fans are encouraged to wear white shirts on “Turn It White For Senior Night.”

Hawai’i is 19-10 overall and in fourth place in the Big West Conference at 8-7. Fullerton is 11-18 and 6-9. Win or lose, the Warriors will be the No. 4 seed for next week’s Big West Conference Tournament at Anaheim, Calif. The Titans can finish fifth, sixth of seventh.

Hawai’i has lost three of its last four games, so it is looking to regain momentum for next week. A win would also be a nice “Senior Night” gift for Rozitis, Spearman and Standhardinger.

Rozitis, a 7-foot center from Latvia, might be the most popular back-up player in recent memory. His outgoing – and often outlandish – personality made him an affable character even during his redshirt season, way back in 2010-11.

Followers of WarriorInsider.com got to know him through his “DaBeast Films” videos, and he was also responsible for bringing out the personalities of teammates through the videos.

Last season, he blossomed into a disruptive defensive force as the 7-foot point on the team’s specialized “point zone” scheme. This season, he leads the team with 23 blocked shots, and his improved offense has been a bonus – 3.8 points per game and a team-best .667 field goal percentage. Through three seasons at Hawai’i, Rozits has a .589 field goal percentage, which would be the best in UH, basketball history, but he does not have enough attempts to qualify for the official record.

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Spearman’s value also goes beyond the statistics, though his numbers have certainly been helpful. He is currently one of four players on the team averaging double-figure points at 11.0. He is also third on the team in rebounding (4.5) and third in 3-pointers (37).

However, the 6-3 guard from Chicago is perhaps best known for his toughness and tenacity. For each of his two seasons at Hawai’i, he was often assigned to defend the opposing team’s best scoring guard.

Spearman started wearing long-sleeved fitted shirts under his jersey this season, and perhaps it was fitting, as he was never afraid to wear his emotions on his proverbial sleeves. After big shots or crucial rallies, he was often the guy urging the crowd to raise the volume.

Standhardinger can also be remembered for his emotional play, but it is his under-appreciated over-achievements that deserve to be recognized.

The 6-8 forward from Germany will depart Hawai’i with some of the best statistics ever put up by a two-year player. Most notable, he is one of just 16 players to score 1,000 points as a Warrior, and only the fourth to do it in two seasons. He is also 11 rebounds shy of becoming just the sixth player in UH history to record 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in a career.

It is also worth noting that Rozitis has already received his degree from UH, and Spearman and Standhardinger are on target to graduate before the end of this summer.

Game 30 Tipoff Notes
Who:
Cal State Fullerton at Hawai’i
When: Saturday, March 8, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Stan Sheriff Center (10,300) – Honolulu
Television: Live on OCSports – Channels 16 (SD) and 1016 (HD).
Streaming Video: BigWest.tv
Radio: Live on ESPN 1420 AM. Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KHLO in Hilo, KKON in Kona and KTOH on Kaua’i.
Audio Webcast: Live audio streaming on espn1420am.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats are available at HawaiiAthletics.com
Ticket Information: $26 (lower); $18 (upper-adult); $16 (upper-sr. citizen); $5 (upper-youth, ages 4-HS); UH Manoa students free with validated ID. Parking $6.
Promotions: The University of Hawaii Federal Credit Union is the “Senior Night” game sponsor and will distribute 500 sport water bottles and 3,000 team photos. Fans will have a chance to win an iPad Mini at halftime in the UHFCU “Halfcourt Heave” contest. Register for the chance to compete at the sports marketing table inside Gate A. Also, UHFCU will award plaques to the seniors during the traditional “Senior Night” ceremony following the game. The contest is a “Whiteout,” so be sure to wear your white apparel. UH Alumni Association paid members and military members receive 50% off adult tickets.
UH Student Promotions: 500 white rally towels will be distributed in the Manoa Maniacs sections.

7 Comments

  1. All 3 of the Seniors are first class students, people and athletes. Spearman a two year hard working standout, will miss him a lot! Standhardinger, been with program for three years, after sitting out RS transfer year, great effort, will be missed greatly too, never lack of effort. And the true Hawaii favorite, loves the keiki and the kapuna and all people of Hawaii, one Davis Rozitis, a great representative of Latvia. Has been with Gib for 5 outstanding years!

    What greater reward could there be to, finish with a great victory against Fullerton, then, take a run at BWC tournament championship and NCAA invite. No matter what happens, those 3, did not leave, they stayed the course and laid the foundation for a great MBB at UH for years to come. Gib, you had 3 outstanding young men, HIGH CHARACTER people, the type we would like to see more of! Great job by you as coach, your staff and the student athletes now coming into program. We hope to have you as coach for many years !

    Dayton, it has been an exciting year. Sure we wish there were a few more wins, however, the level of excitement, exactly as Gib wanted, Uptempo, and we MBB fans enjoyed it. Not over yet, hope UH gets to play at least 3 more games before any Post Season invite hopefully!

    Go Bows, and Mahalo, to Valerie Schmidt, Ameriprise, Pacific Risk Solutions, and all the die hard new and old UH Rainbow Warrior fans that have posted comments, interesting, exciting, and ALL fans want UH MBB team to be at the highest level. Great 4 years and counting Gib, look forward to Anaheim, however, you guys get the win for the Seniors, tonite!

    Go Bows!!
    Uhfanzonly. Boom, Boom and Boom Out!

  2. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who belongs to this Hawaii Basketball Ohana. This will be my son Christian’s last season as a Rainbow Warrior and  feel sad, very sad it will be over soon.  These last two seasons have been so much a part of my life, my families’ lives and will cherish the memories forever.  I love this team and is with them through wins and losses, challenges and accomplishments. Though thousand of miles away, thanks to modern technology, I was able to watch the games here in Munich live via the internet, it didn’t  matter if I have to be up at 4:00  in the morning.  Very fortunate also that Hawaii transferred to the Big West, my big family live in Southern California, about 30 of them cheered the team on the games over there.  Today, I am here at this beautiful island to watch the game on my son’s Senior night. 
    Again,I thank the coaches, the players and their dedicated parents, the basketball staff, the fans, Dayton, the sponsors, and the commenters of this site.  I will be happy to meet any of you today at the game. A BIG MAHALO!!

  3. I love this video! Trying not to get teary eyed thinking about these MEN on their senior nite!

    Shout out to the Standhardinger family! To Liz, thank you for posting! I enjoyed meeting your mom and dad at the Irvine game and seeing Christian surrounded by so many cousins and family members! Glad that you have been able to enjoy the live feeds of the games and to enjoy WI along your son’s journey with the team.

    To the Spearmans! We enjoy looking for your bright green shirts at the away games. You are an amazing family to fly the away games to support your son during his senior nite. I am happy that WI featured you the last time you were in the islands so we could know more about your family and the foundation that Brandon comes from.

    Lastly to Zane Rozite and the Rozitis family, your 7 foot tall son has made a lasting impression on the Hawaii fans, the team and of course on my family. Your son told my son 4 years ago to “listen to your Mom”, he encouraged the team last year to do a “Good luck, Hunter” video before my son’s heart surgery and he was there by my son’s side when he woke up in his hospital bed after the successful surgery was completed. These moments capture the great man with a big heart.

    Congratulations to the Tri-Captains. Thank you for being a part of our team!
    Go Warriors, win number 20 for the Seniors and send them out with a bang!
    Aloha,
    The Schmidt Family

  4. Warriors for Life ! Be Victorious !

  5. Good stuff.

    Aloha and welcome to Hawaii, Mrs. Standhardinger! I appreciate you allowing your son to travel halfway around the world to expand his basketball and life experiences here in this little paradise. It has been a pleasure to watch him play these past two years.

    A person’s work ethic is often rooted in their parents, so Christian’s hustle and willingness to outwork anybody on the court is a reflection of his mom and dad.

  6. Really great video! Mahalo !

  7. Three good men who will be missed next season playing in the SSC.
    Good luck guys.

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