Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks

Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks

Nov 14, 2026

Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks

Hawaii Pacific HC Jesse Nakanishi draws up a play in a timeout during a home game for the Sharks. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

HONOLULU – Welcome back, Killa Kilminster.

The Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team moved back above .500 on Friday night, using a 29-point explosion from fifth-year guard Evan Kilminster to cruise by Alaska Fairbanks on the first night of the 2026 Alaska/Hawaii Challenge in the islands, 74-58.

After earning All-Tournament team honors during the Hoops in Hawaii Tip-Off Classic, Kilminster missed the home opener against Northwest Indian College for the Sharks with an ankle injury. The USC-Beaufort transfer returned in a big way on Friday, playing 34 minutes in his return and scoring 17 of his 29 after halftime to help Hawaii Pacific pull away late.

Both squads struggled to find any offensive rhythm in the opening minutes, seeing a Friday the 13th shooting hex as the teams combined for five made shots on the first 25 shot attempts of the game. Alaska Fairbanks used a few trips to the free throw line and an early triple from Kellen Jedlicka to secure a 10-7 lead after eight minutes of action.

HPU countered with 11 of the next 18 points to grab an 18-17 advantage with just over five minutes left in the first half after back-to-back layups from Kilminster. The fifth-year guard continued to carry the otherwise lifeless Sharks offense down the stretch of the opening stanza, drilling a pair of triples before Keonjay Carter got in on the long-range fun to give the hosts a 29-23 lead heading into halftime.

Kilminster picked right up where he left off when play resumed, draining his third 3-pointer of the night before assisting on a Will Woodward layup that put the Sharks up by double figures two and a half minutes into the second half.

The Nanooks pulled back within five before the first media timeout of the second half, but HPU guard Avi Halpert hustled for an and-one finish in transition and dished a beautiful assist to a cutting Franciz Wai to extend the lead back to 10 for the Sharks just a minute later.

Alaska Fairbanks fought back again as Tyriq Luke and James Bodily took turns making 3-pointers over the next few possessions to make it a 50-47 game with under eight minutes left in regulation, but Halpert and Hawaii Pacific calmly responded with another run of their own to remain ahead.

Kilminster finished the job for the hosts, scoring 10 of his 29 points over the final five minutes to sink the Nanooks in the opening game of the annual Alaska/Hawaii Challenge.

Avi Halpert continued his hot start to his senior season with 12 points in 21 minutes for the Sharks, knocking down 2-of-4 attempts from behind the arc while going a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe in the win.

Will Woodward was the third and final player to finish in double figures for HPU, chipping in 11 points and six rebounds before fouling out after 31 minutes of work. It was the third straight game that the 6-foot-7 forward finished with 10 or more points and continued his streak of at least six rebounds in every game so far for the Sharks.

Alaska Fairbanks was led by senior guard James Bodily’s 21-point outing, seeing the former Idaho State guard drain four 3-pointers in his debut for the Nanooks. Davis Crilly, the reigning GNAC Player of the Week, was held to just four points by the Sharks as the 6-foot-6 wing misfired on all eight of his shots from the field in 32 minutes of action.

Hawaii Pacific will return to the floor on Saturday night to wrap up the 2026 Alaska/Hawaii Challenge, taking on Alaska Anchorage inside the Shark Tank with tip-off scheduled for 5 p.m. HT.

Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks

Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks

Nov 14, 2026

HONOLULU – Welcome back, Killa Kilminster. The Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team moved back above .500 on Friday night, using a 29-point explosion from fifth-year guard Evan Kilminster to cruise by Alaska Fairbanks on the first night...

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Hawaii Pacific posts triple digits for the first time in six years in win over Alaska Fairbanks

Hawaii Pacific posts triple digits for the first time in six years in win over Alaska Fairbanks

Nov 13, 2026

Hawaii Pacific posts triple digits for the first time in six years in win over Alaska Fairbanks

HPU forward Abbey Hadsell brings the ball up the floor during an exhibition against Hawaii. | Photo: Riley Guillermo

HONOLULU – Scoring explosion Sharks.

For the first time since the 2019-2020 season, the Hawaii Pacific University women’s basketball team eclipsed 100 points in a single game on Friday evening as the Sharks opened up the Alaska/Hawaii Challenge with a 112-92 victory over Alaska Fairbanks.

Seven different players finished in double figures for HPU, led by fifth-year forward Abbey Hadsell’s 18 points off the bench in her season debut. The Sonoma State transfer hit 8-of-11 attempts from the field in just 14 minutes of action while collecting eight rebounds and blocking a pair of shots.

Lucia Ricci had her usual jack-of-all-trades performance with 17 points, five rebounds and five assists in 23 minutes of work for the Sharks, matching Kalysa Ng with a team-best three made 3-pointers.

The Sharks took a five-point lead after a quarter of play, posting 30 points in the opening frame with the help of seven offensive rebounds and six forced turnovers to offset six 3-pointers from the Nanooks.

Alaska Fairbanks worked to knot the game at 51 by the halftime break, draining three more triples in the second quarter while holding HPU to 36% shooting in the stanza.

The seesaw affair between the Sharks and Nanooks continued into the second half, seeing Alaska Fairbanks connect five more times from deep while Hawaii Pacific diced through the full-court press of the visitors for a 26-point third quarter on 52% shooting to take a one-point advantage into the final frame.

Hawaii Pacific pulled away over the final 10 minutes, using a mix of great defense and transition offense to outscore Alaska Fairbanks by 19 in the fourth quarter. The Nanooks managed just one make across their final 17 shots from the floor while 12 of the 13 makes in the fourth quarter for the Sharks were assisted on.

Second-year forward Kyla Hopton had a career-high 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting in 18 minutes for HPU while guards Mya Hatchett and Kalysa Ng chipped in 13 points apiece in the victory. Ng’s output set a new HPU career-high for the third-year guard while Hatchett had her first double-digit scoring output since the opening game of the season for the Sharks.

Jalen Samuel continued her hot start to her second college season, eclipsing double figures in the scoring department for the third time in four games this year as she poured in 12 points in 24 minutes. Fellow second-year guard Mia Frye rounded out the scorers in double figures for the Sharks, adding a season-high 10 points in a team-high 31 minutes of work.

The 112-point explosion was Hawaii Pacific’s highest scoring outing since putting up 115 points in a 32-point home victory over Dominican (CA) on January 11, 2020.

Denae Skelton paced the Nanooks in the loss, scoring 16 points while hitting a game-best four 3-pointers for the visitors. Brandi Stanford followed behind with 14 points as five players finished with 10 or more points in the loss for Alaska Fairbanks.

Hawaii Pacific will be right back in action on Saturday, looking to move above .500 once again as they host Alaksa Anchorage to wrap up the 2026 Alaska/Hawaii Challenge. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. inside the Shark Tank.

Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks

Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks

Nov 14, 2026

HONOLULU – Welcome back, Killa Kilminster. The Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team moved back above .500 on Friday night, using a 29-point explosion from fifth-year guard Evan Kilminster to cruise by Alaska Fairbanks on the first night...

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Hawaii Pacific hangs triple digits on Northwest Indian College in home opener

Hawaii Pacific hangs triple digits on Northwest Indian College in home opener

Nov 10, 2026

Hawaii Pacific hangs triple digits on Northwest Indian College in home opener

Franciz Wai flies for a two-handed jam in a dominant win for Hawaii Pacific. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

 

HONOLULU – Buckets by the bunch.

For the first time in four seasons under head coach Jesse Nakanishi, the Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team eclipsed triple digits in the scoring department as the Sharks took down Northwest Indian College in the 2026-27 home opener on Monday night, 112-80.

HPU saw seven players finish with 10 or more points, led by senior Avi Halpert’s 16 points on 5-for-6 shooting and three made 3-pointers. The Sharks drained 16 triples as a group, shooting 50% from distance while seven different players connected at least once from beyond the arc.

Northwest Indian College actually took an early lead over the Sharks, seeing Tyasin Burns drain one from long range to give the Eagles a 3-2 lead over HPU after 90 seconds of action. It was one of 11 connections from distance on the night for NWIC, eight of which came during the opening 20 minutes.

The lead lasted all of 12 seconds for the Eagles as Ike Sutton came down the other way and quickly drilled the first of his three makes from 3-point range to put Hawaii Pacific ahead for good.

NWIC remained within striking distance over the first five and a half minutes of the game, seeing buckets from Kalaheo alum Keenan Kahoekapu and Castle alum Josiah Shinbara keep the Eagles within a few points of the Sharks.

HPU turned on the gas after the night’s first media timeout, extending the lead to double figures by the 10-minute mark of the opening half. Halpert and Sutton then took turns tormenting the defense and a few Franciz Wai drives to the rim helped the Sharks open up a 60-42 advantage heading into the break.

The defense ticked up a notch after halftime for Hawaii Pacific as the hosts held NWIC to 36% shooting from the field in the second half. Nemanja Sarenac started to heat up offensively as well, draining three straight 3-pointers to extend the lead to 25 for the Sharks by the under-12-minute media timeout.

Nemanja Sarenac jogs back after drilling a 3-pointer for Hawaii Pacific. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

With a sizable lead in hand, Hawaii Pacific started to see what players outside of the usual rotation could bring as Nate Orr V, Eric Ahlers II, Shinichi Itoh and Shawn Villanea found themselves getting minutes down the stretch.

Itoh got in on the long-range fun with a few triples and Ahlers pushed the Sharks over the 100-point mark with a layup with five minutes remaining in regulation. Villanea, who redshirted last season with HPU, cashed in a right-wing three ball for the final bucket of the night and his first points as a Shark.

All five starters finished in double figures for Hawaii Pacific, seeing Ike Sutton and Nemanja Sarenac each tally 13 points while Marino Dubravcic and Will Woodward each had 10 points and eight rebounds in the victory.

Shinichi Itoh had his first double-digit scoring game as a Shark as he added 11 points off the bench while Nate Orr V had 10 points and four assists in 14 minutes of action.

Shinichi Itoh handles the rock in his first double-digit scoring outing with Hawaii Pacific. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Northwest Indian College was led by Kaneohe product Keenan Kahoekapu, who scored a game-high 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting while collecting four rebounds for the Eagles. Castle alum Josiah Shinbara chipped in eight points in his return to the islands while Nanakuli alum Zion Donnell had two points in 11 minutes of work.

Guards Tyasin Burns and Bishop Hardman also finished in double figures for the Eagles, scoring 15 and 13 points respectively in the loss. Northwest Indian College will wrap up its trip to the islands on Tuesday night as they head down the road to take on Chaminade at 7 p.m. HT.

Hawaii Pacific will be back in action on Friday, November 15 for the start of the Hawaii-Alaska Challenge, facing off with Alaska Anchorage inside the Shark Tank as they look to go over .500 for the first time this season.

Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks

Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks

Nov 14, 2026

HONOLULU – Welcome back, Killa Kilminster. The Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team moved back above .500 on Friday night, using a 29-point explosion from fifth-year guard Evan Kilminster to cruise by Alaska Fairbanks on the first night...

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HPU Acrobatics & Tumbling Builds on Breakthrough Season Under Daisha Paulino

HPU Acrobatics & Tumbling Builds on Breakthrough Season Under Daisha Paulino

Nov 9, 2026

HPU Acrobatics & Tumbling Builds on Breakthrough Season Under Daisha Paulino

Hawai‘i Pacific University acrobatics and tumbling enters its third season under head coach Daisha Paulino with growing confidence and a stronger team culture following one of the program’s most successful recent campaigns.

Paulino joined Sharks Weekly alongside student-athletes Bethany Nakai and Allison White to reflect on last season’s accomplishments, the challenges of developing a competitive roster and the program’s continued growth.

The Sharks finished 4-2 last season, earned a No. 12 national ranking and sent approximately 13 athletes to the NCATA individual event finals.

For Paulino, the success validated the gradual approach she took when assuming leadership of the program. Rather than implementing sweeping changes immediately, she focused on strengthening team culture, improving practice structure and building trust among her athletes.

“Trust the process,” Paulino said, reflecting on the lessons learned during her first two seasons.

That approach was tested at the national event finals when an injury forced Nakai into an unfamiliar role just days before competition. With only one practice to learn an elite-level toss, Nakai stepped in and competed on the national stage.

Paulino pointed to the moment as an example of the team’s resilience and willingness to embrace challenges.

Nakai, a Canadian native and former All-American at Calvin University, transferred to HPU after rediscovering her passion for the sport during her first year of college.

White, meanwhile, represents a different path to the program. The Mililani High School graduate chose to remain in Hawai‘i, allowing her to compete collegiately while staying close to family.

For White, representing her home state also presents an opportunity to introduce more local athletes to acrobatics and tumbling.

Recruiting remains one of the program’s unique challenges. Paulino draws athletes from gymnastics, cheerleading and other disciplines, often teaching newcomers the fundamentals of a sport they have never competed in before.

Despite their different backgrounds, the Sharks have developed an environment built around communication, accountability and mutual support.

Nakai emphasized that the relationships extend beyond practice, with teammates making a conscious effort to look after one another.

That connection is especially important in a sport where athletes must rely on their teammates to execute demanding skills. Paulino explained that successful partnerships require trust, communication and an understanding of each other’s strengths.

As the sport continues to grow nationally, HPU is also preparing for a significant change in its postseason landscape. With acrobatics and tumbling becoming an NCAA championship sport, the national tournament will expand to a 12-team bracket.

For Paulino, who previously competed for HPU and earned All-American honors as a student-athlete, the evolution of the sport has made her return to the program especially meaningful.

Now, with a strong returning group and a renewed emphasis on fundamentals, the Sharks are looking to build on last season’s progress.

The goal remains to develop a program capable of competing nationally while creating an environment where student-athletes can grow both on and off the mat.

MORE HPU SHARKS STORIES

Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks
Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks

Nov 14, 2026

HONOLULU – Welcome back, Killa Kilminster. The Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team moved back above .500 on Friday night, using a 29-point explosion from fifth-year guard Evan Kilminster to cruise by Alaska Fairbanks on the first night...

Molokai’s Jordyn McCutcheon went Rogue and became a record-setter
Molokai’s Jordyn McCutcheon went Rogue and became a record-setter

Oct 28, 2026

HONOLULU – College decisions can be hard, especially in Hawai’i. Plenty of students think they want to leave the islands after high school. Tons of others want nothing more than to attend one of the prestigious colleges located in their home state...

Sharks Weekly: New Leadership, Championship Tradition Drive HPU Stunt and Cheer Forward

Sharks Weekly: New Leadership, Championship Tradition Drive HPU Stunt and Cheer Forward

Nov 3, 2026

Sharks Weekly: New Leadership, Championship Tradition Drive HPU Stunt and Cheer Forward

Hawai‘i Pacific University’s stunt and cheer programs are entering a new chapter under first-year head coach Vraunwyn Denny, who brings more than 26 years of coaching experience and a championship pedigree to a program with a rich history of national success.

Denny joined Sharks Weekly alongside fourth-year student-athletes Natalie Denney and Ryan Stawski to discuss her return to Hawai‘i, the differences between competitive cheerleading and stunt, and the importance of trust, teamwork and building a foundation for sustained success.

For Denny, taking over the Sharks represents a homecoming more than two decades in the making. A Pearl City High School graduate who began her college education at HPU, Denny spent much of her coaching career in Southern California, including nearly 20 years at Marina High School, where her teams captured multiple championships, including two UCA High School National Championships.

Returning to HPU has brought her journey full circle.

“I feel like it’s a full circle and I’m where I’m supposed to be,” Denny said. “Now being a part of HPU and this community is just where I wanna be. It feels right.”

Her coaching philosophy centers on communication, positivity and understanding each athlete as an individual. Rather than immediately pushing advanced skills, Denny has emphasized mastering fundamentals and establishing consistent techniques across a relatively young roster.

Denney, who competes in both stunt and cheer, said that approach has helped the team adjust to new leadership.

“Coach Denny really cares about us as athletes,” Denney said, noting that the team spent considerable time developing basic skills and building a stronger foundation before progressing to more difficult routines.

While the two programs share many athletic elements, Denny explained that their competitive formats present different challenges.

Traditional competitive cheerleading features a two-and-a-half-minute routine combining tumbling, stunts, pyramids and performance. Stunt, meanwhile, is a head-to-head competition emphasizing technical precision, with teams executing standardized routines and skills.

Denney compared preparing for cheerleading to putting on a show, while describing stunt as a more technical and physically demanding competition that requires sustained concentration.

For Stawski, who grew up in Michigan and previously competed in gymnastics and pole vaulting, the transition into a leadership role has meant helping younger teammates navigate both the athletic and academic demands of college.

Now in his fourth year with HPU Cheer, Stawski hopes to serve as someone teammates can approach for guidance, whether it involves training, school or adjusting to life in Hawai‘i.

That sense of responsibility extends directly into competition, where athletes must trust one another while performing physically demanding skills.

Both student-athletes also addressed misconceptions surrounding cheerleading, particularly the tendency to view participants primarily as sideline performers rather than competitive athletes.

Stawski emphasized that while cheerleaders support other athletic programs, they also compete independently, an aspect of the sport he believes is frequently overlooked.

As Denny looks toward her first competitive season leading the Sharks, she hopes to honor HPU’s established championship tradition while creating a culture rooted in accountability, confidence and continuous improvement.

“We’re here to build our foundation and create our culture as a program, and then to go out and win our championships,” Denny said. “But we win them in the gym, not just at the competition.”

For the new head coach and her veteran student-athletes, the goal extends beyond winning titles. It’s about building an environment where future Sharks can develop as athletes, students and individuals while continuing HPU’s tradition of competitive excellence.

MORE HPU SHARKS STORIES

Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks
Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks

Nov 14, 2026

HONOLULU – Welcome back, Killa Kilminster. The Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team moved back above .500 on Friday night, using a 29-point explosion from fifth-year guard Evan Kilminster to cruise by Alaska Fairbanks on the first night...

Molokai’s Jordyn McCutcheon went Rogue and became a record-setter
Molokai’s Jordyn McCutcheon went Rogue and became a record-setter

Oct 28, 2026

HONOLULU – College decisions can be hard, especially in Hawai’i. Plenty of students think they want to leave the islands after high school. Tons of others want nothing more than to attend one of the prestigious colleges located in their home state...

Lake Erie (OH) holds off Hawaii Pacific to take third in Hoops in Hawaii Tip-Off Classic

Lake Erie (OH) holds off Hawaii Pacific to take third in Hoops in Hawaii Tip-Off Classic

Nov 2, 2026

Lake Erie (OH) holds off Hawaii Pacific to take third in Hoops in Hawaii Tip-Off Classic

Hawaii Pacific guard Keonjay Carter fires a shot from distance during the Hoops in Hawaii Tip-Off Classic. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

HONOLULU – Close but no cigar.

For the second consecutive night, the Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team took a tough opponent down to the wire before falling short in regulation as Lake Erie (OH) used a high-pressure defense and clutch shooting to snag a 90-84 win over the Sharks on Sunday and claim third place in the Hoops in Hawaii Tip-Off Classic.

Four players finished in double figures for the Storm, seeing redshirt senior forward Gio Moore lead the way with 15 points and seven rebounds in 27 minutes of work. Junior guard Griffin Turay had 13 points  on 5-of-7 shooting while Jamyier Patton and Aidan Filippini each chipped in 12 points in the win.

The Sharks struggled with turnovers for the second time in three games to start the season, committing 24 giveaways against Lake Erie on Sunday night that led directly to 26 points for the Storm.

Lake Erie’s full-court pressure played a big role in a slow start for HPU, forcing seven turnovers in the first four minutes of action and 16 across the opening half. The Sharks steadied themselves over the final nine minutes of action, committing just two turnovers during the stretch to help erase a 16-point deficit and enter the break tied at 40 with the Storm.

“It’s one of those games you wish you had a week [to prepare for], but no excuses,” fourth-year head coach Jesse Nakanishi said about the turnovers forced by the Lake Erie pressure. “No excuses though, we’ve got to be ready for quick turnarounds and I thought our guys did a pretty good job once they got a taste of it … Still not quite good enough executing and a lot of learning in this game.”

The Storm built the lead back up to 12 after the initial seven minutes of second half action out of the locker room, using a trio of three pointers and a few trips to the free throw line to grab some breathing room against the Sharks.

Hawaii Pacific responded again though as Evan Kilminster and Marino Dubravcic started to heat up, scoring 11 of the team’s next 14 points to make it a 66-62 game with 9 minutes left to play.

The Sharks took their first lead of the night with just under five minutes remaining in regulation, seeing guard Keonjay Carter connect on one of his two threes of the night to push the PacWest squad ahead momentarily, 77-75.

Lake Erie knotted the game at 77 with a layup from Caelum Ethridge on the very next possession and the Storm snatched the lead back with 3:23 left after Kilminster missed the front end of a 1-and-1 opportunity and Jamyier Patton drained a shot-clock beating triple from five feet behind the arc.

Hawaii Pacific would not lead again, connecting on one of the team’s next seven shots as Lake Erie built up a nine-point lead while draining all six free throw attempts in the final minutes. Evan Kilminster cashed in a buzzer-beating three for the Sharks, but the connection came too little, too late as the Storm snatched a 90-84 victory in the tournament’s third-place battle.

Kilminster led the Sharks in scoring for the second straight night, pouring in 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting while also dishing out seven assists, grabbing four rebounds and committing six turnovers across a team-high 34 minutes in the loss.

The senior guard was the lone Hawaii Pacific player to be named to the All-Tournament team after averaging 16.3 points, 5.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 45.5% from 3-point range across the three-game stretch.

Keonjay Carter added a season-high 16 points off the bench for Nakanishi’s Sharks, going 6-for-6 at the charity stripe while only committing one turnover in 27 minutes of work. Fifth-year big man Will Woodward chipped in 13 points and tied for the team-lead in rebounds with seven boards in 23 minutes, finishing as the third and final player in double figures for HPU.

Despite leaving the weekend with a 1-2 record, Nakanishi took away plenty of positives about what his team could be able to do as the regular season rolls along.

“We’ve got the pieces,” the fourth-year head coach stated. “We’re still a new team that’s learning each other and [this tournament] was kind of the barometer of where we’re at right now so I did learn a lot for where we’re at … Roles are still going to evolve but got a good feel for our team going against three really good opponents.”

The regular season rolls on for Hawaii Pacific next Monday, November 9 as they host Northwest Indian College at the Shark Tank in the team’s home opener at 6:30 p.m. HT.

Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks

Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks

Nov 14, 2026

HONOLULU – Welcome back, Killa Kilminster. The Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team moved back above .500 on Friday night, using a 29-point explosion from fifth-year guard Evan Kilminster to cruise by Alaska Fairbanks on the first night...

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