Warrior Insider

Future University of Hawai’i player Samuta Avea and his current Kahuku High School teammates continued an upset run to the semifinals of the prestigious ‘Iolani Classic on Monday night.

Avea, a 6-foot-6 senior guard/forward who is already signed to play at UH next season, had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds in the Red Raiders’ 56-51 quarterfinal upset win over De La Salle (Calif.).

Kahuku advanced to Tuesday’s semifinals, where it will face Findlay Prep (Nevada), which is ranked No. 1 in the country by MaxPreps.com.

Jessiya Villa, the nephew of former UH assistant coach Brandyn Akana, led Kahuku with 26 points in the win over De La Salle. Akana is now the head coach at Kahuku.

Daniel Fotu, younger brother of former UH star forward Isaac Fotu, contributed 10 points and seven rebounds. Kesi Ah Hoy, who is committed to play football for UH next season, had four points.

— — — — — — —

NAME FROM THE PAST ON GRADUATE LIST

The University of Hawai’i athletic department recently issued a list of student-athletes who participated as graduates in the Winter Commencement Exercises, held on December 17 at the Stan Sheriff Center. On that list of 40 names was an almost-forgotten name from the UH basketball past.

Dominick Brumfield.

Brumfield appeared in limited minutes in just 11 games as a sophomore during the 2010-11 season. He battled a knee injury that entire season, and then received a release from the program prior to the 2011-12 season.

What happened to Brumfield between then and now remains somewhat of a mystery. In any case, kudos to him for enduring the past six years and completing the academic work necessary to graduate.