The highest individual scoring effort of the 2015 Hawai’i College Basketball Summer League now belongs to … Jace Tavita?
Tavita, the former University of Hawai’i point guard, scored 47 points in Chosen Few’s 109-89 victory over Clark Hatch Fitness in Summer League action on Thursday night at Manoa Valley District Park Gym.
Yes, this is the same Tavita who averaged 3.2 points per game as a senior at UH during the 2012-13 season. He drained six 3-pointers, and also scored on a variety of dribble-drives to the basket.
“Just being aggressive,” he explained of his scoring outburst. “Driving to the hoop; I’ve been working on my shot a lot … just being aggressive, basically.”
Tavita has spent most of the last two years in his home state of Utah, and will take a shot at professional basketball in the Philippines next season.
“I was working in Utah and just recently I got a dual citizenship for the Philippines, so next month I’ll be out there to play professionally,” he said.
If this summer is any indication, Tavita is ready to take his game to the Philippines. Through four games in the Hawai’i Summer League, he is averaging 27.8 points per game.
Tavita joined the Chosen Few roster late this summer because he was still in Utah earlier. Since arriving, he had a chance to play against a few of the current UH Warriors, including Mike Thomas and Aaron Valdes.
“I think Mike Thomas is going to have a big year; (he’s) a big athlete who can put it on the ground and obviously play in the post, rebound and defend,” Tavita said. “Aaron, he’s the only one who was on the team when I was there. To see his progression since he was a redshirt freshman to now is like night and day. He looks like a man out there now when he plays.”
Despite all the changes in the program since 2013, Tavita said he remains a loyal supporter and proud alumnus.
Read about Warriors vs. Cal State Fullerton.
“I’m a Rainbow Warrior ’til I die,” he said. “I’ll always support. I haven’t met the new coaches, but I’ve only heard good things, so I’m excited to see them in the future.”
Leon Ballard (Chaminade) scored 40 points for Clark Hatch Fitness, and former UH forward Phil Martin added 17.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Electricians Hawaii capped an undefeated regular season with a somewhat controversial 98-96 victory over Wealth Strategy Partners.
Patrick Matthews scored on a putback at the final buzzer for the winning basket. It was initially ruled no good by one official, but after a brief meeting with another official, the basket was ruled good.
Rashaun Broadus (Mililani / Brigham Young) hit a 3-pointer with 23 seconds remaining to tie the score at 96. Electricians Hawaii then worked for a final shot – Drew Viena missed a 15-foot jumper, but Matthews tipped the rebound into the basket.
No current UH players participated on Thursday.
Electricians Hawaii finished the regular season 10-0 and will receive a bye into the semifinals of the playoffs as the No. 1 seed.
The regular-season will conclude with two games on Saturday at Manoa Valley District Park. The playoffs will begin on Aug. 4.
Thursday’s results
Chosen Few 109, Clark Hatch Fitness 89. Top scorers: CF—Jace Tavita 47, John Lane 21, Chris Crawford 14, Ryan Reyes 12. CHF—Leon Ballard 40, Phil Martin 17.
Electricians Hawaii 98, Wealth Strategy Partners 96. Top scorers: EH—Oscar Pedroso 27, Patrick Matthews 18, James Davis 16, Kona Makaula 14, Leif Rodney 13. WSP—Rashaun Broadus 33, Julian Sensley 27, William Broadus 17.
Saturday’s games
6 p.m. – National Fire Protection Co. vs. Clark Hatch Fitness
7:30 p.m. – Chosen Few vs. Grantco Pacific
Current records
Electricians Hawaii 10-0
National Fire Protection Co. 5-4
Chosen Few 4-5
Wealth Strategy Partners 4-6
Grantco Pacific 3-6
Clark Hatch Fitness 2-7