Warrior Insider

On a night when one team clinched the top seed for the playoffs, another team emerged as a late contender in the Hawai’i Development League.

Island Movers, led by the surprise appearance of University of Hawai’i point guard Brocke Stepteau, defeated Ultimate Roofing, 113-93, in HD League action on Monday night at Saint Francis School Gymnasium.

Stepteau, a 5-foot-9 senior for the Rainbow Warriors, had 23 points and 14 assists to lead Island Movers to its first win of the summer league. Island Movers was 0-3 prior to Stepteau’s arrival.

“They put me on this team, Island Movers, I don’t know why,” he said. “But I love playing with them. We got the win … we’re going to try and win the league now.”

Stepteau, who originally opted not to register for the summer league, changed his mind after watching some of his UH teammates play in earlier games. He said he asked HD League Co-Director Derrick Low for permission to join the league, and was willing to play for any team.

UH teammate Samuta Avea scored 16 points, and former Chaminade forward Leon Ballard scored a game-high 28 for Island Movers.

“I got my teammates involved, which is what I wanted to do, and I scored the ball as well,” Stepteau said. “I just want to come out and play a complete game. It doesn’t really matter where I play, I always want to play the same way, just play the right basketball … most importantly as a point guard, you want to win, and we got the win.”

The UH combination of Stepteau and Avea also earned UH team bragging rights for the night, as fellow Warriors Zigmars Raimo and Brandon Thomas were on the opposing Ultimate Roofing team.

Raimo scored 25 points and Thomas had 23 to lead Ultimate Roofing, which dropped to 2-2.

In an earlier game, Lei Lei’s improved to 4-0 and clinched the top seed (and a first round bye) for the single-elimination playoffs with an 86-80 win over Hooters. UH players were unavailable for that game due to a team function.

The regular-season will continue with games on Tuesday and Thursday at Saint Francis School Gymnasium. The playoffs are scheduled to begin on July 14.

CLICK HERE for more information on the HD League

Monday’s Results

Lei Lei’s 86, Hooters 80. Leading scorers: LL – Micah Dunhour 31, Kahanu Puulei-Auld 18, Jacob McEnroe 13. Hooters – Kaleb Gilmore 27, Dyrbe Enos 20, Nick Demusis 15.

Island Movers 113, Ultimate Roofing 93. Leading scorers: IM – Leon Ballard 28, Brocke Stepteau 23, Samuta Avea 16, Nalu Coito 16, Kam Victorino-Kato 16. UR – Zigmars Raimo 25, Brandon Thomas 23, Masa Swain 20.

Current Records
Lei Lei’s 4-0
Ultimate Roofing 2-2
Electricians Hawaii 2-2
Society Contracting 2-2
Hooters 1-3
Island Movers 1-3