Spring 2009 - Issue 5

The Silversword: Home > Sports > Aloha Seniors

Aloha Seniors

Arielle Salvador, Sports Editor
Anatol v. Zitzewitz, Staff Writer

The Lady Swords ended their season with a loss to UH-Hilo. With a final score of 86-67, the Lady Swords were able to keep it close and concluded the seasons with an exciting game.

UH-Hilo dominated early on and went into halftime up by 20 points. The Swords closed the gap in the second half, but the deficit was too large to come back from. UH-Hilo won the rebounding battle 39-27 and shot 55% from the floor, compared to Chaminade’s 40%.

Two seniors, Camille Moody and Arielle Salvador, are leaving the team this semester.

Moody, who was the Lady Sword’s first six-footer and played center for three years, plans to move back home to California where she plans to go to fashion school after graduating from Chaminade.

Salvador, who was a shooting guard for two years, graduates next spring and plans on returning to Hawaii, after retaining some work-experience in her home state of California.

For the upcoming season, the Lady Swords will have to build on next year’s class coming back and also on new incoming players. Point guard Samantha Saito is returning along with Demyla Rodriquez, Kimberly Kishi and Jasmine Dulan.

Having a stable group of well-rehearsed returning players combined with a good recruitment of new players, leaves hope for a stronger season next year.

On the men’s side, the Swords are graduating four seniors: Mohammed Tangara, Patrick Collier, Darrell Birton, and Joel Smith.

The Swords finished off the season by defeating the Vulcan’s of Hawaii-Hilo 68-63 on Senior Night. Joel Smith was big for the Swords, scoring 32 points and hitting seven three-pointers. Darrell Birton added 15 points.

The Swords were on fire at the beginning of the game, building a decent lead against the Vulcans. But the Vulcans came back and were down by only two points at the half. The game stayed close throughout the second half, but the Swords would not allow the Vulcans to edge them. Big shots and defensive stops were key for the Swords in the victory.

With Hilo down by three and fans at the edge of their seats, Bryan Ngo of the Vulcan’s went up for a layup and was sure it would go in, until the Sword’s Rickey Clayborn came from behind and pinned the ball against the glass. Clayborn then traveled the distance of the court for a layup. This put the Swords up by five and sealed the victory. Clayborn finished the game with four blocks.

After the game the four seniors were honored with kind words from assistant coach Maurice Maggiolino and leis from fans and friends. We wish Aloha and good luck to all of the seniors.