HPU rally comes up short in series opener against Azusa Pacific, 10-5

HPU rally comes up short in series opener against Azusa Pacific, 10-5

Mar 3, 2025

HPU rally comes up short in series opener against Azusa Pacific, 10-5

BY HSRN STAFF
PUBLISHED MARCH 3, 2025

HONOLULU – Fought till the very end.

The Hawai’i Pacific University softball team could not crack the pitching of Maddy Debs as the Sharks dropped their series opener against Azusa Pacific University, 10-5, Monday afternoon in the first game of a doubleheader at Sand Island State Recreation Area.

It was HPU’s fourth straight loss in a row as it dropped to 8-14. The series against the Cougars will conclude Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m.

Freshman shortstop Taryn Hirano was a bright spot for the Sharks, scoring HPU’s first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth after she turned a single into an inside-the-park home run thanks to a APU error. She also had an RBI triple in the bottom of the seventh to help HPU score four runs in the final inning of play.

Sharks spoil Swords’ PacWest dreams with spectacular Senior Night

Sharks spoil Swords’ PacWest dreams with spectacular Senior Night

Feb 28, 2025

The Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team poses together after “Senior Night” ceremonies inside the Shark Tank. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Sharks spoil Swords’ PacWest dreams with spectacular Senior Night

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 28, 2025

HONOLULU – One time for the seniors. 

The Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team celebrated six seniors in style on Thursday night, spoiling island rival Chaminade’s PacWest tournament dreams with a 95-76 victory inside the Shark Tank. Joshua West led the way in a balanced scoring effort by HPU, pouring in 16 points to go along with seven rebounds as the Sharks saw all five starters finish in double figures. 

HPU (14-14, 9-10 PacWest) recognized a group mixed with varying journeys to the islands in Jonas Visser, Pavle Kuzmanovic, Charlie Weber, Tucker Pellicci, Kordel Ng and Jakob Kimura in a large ceremony that followed the women’s game, a 74-62 victory for the Sharks, and concluded before warmups of the men’s contest. Visser, who had started all 27 games leading into Senior Night, went to the coaching staff ahead of Thursday’s contest and offered up his starting role in favor of the 5th-year veteran Pellicci, who hadn’t started a game for the Sharks since January of 2022. 

The coaching staff granted the captain’s request to start Pellicci, along with fellow seniors Charlie Weber, Kordel Ng and Jakob Kimura and junior Joshua West rounding out the first lineup for the Sharks. Despite different roles to begin the night, each player responded with strong scoring efforts as the quintet combined for 63 of the 95 points by HPU. 

From left to right: Jakob Kimura, Pavle Kuzmanovic, Charlie Weber, Jonas Visser, Tucker Pellicci and Kordel Ng pose together on Senior Night. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Weber turned in 15 points on an efficient 6-of-10 shooting performance, knocking down three of HPU’s 13 total 3-pointers in the season-high scoring effort. Pellicci recorded his first career double-double, scoring 10 points while pulling down 11 rebounds and blocking his team-leading 21st shot of the season. 

Kimura drilled a season-high four 3-pointers and had 12 points for the Sharks, feeling some of the leftover mana from his alma mater Punahou’s recent state championship run. Fellow local boy Kordel Ng, who once played for the now-closed St. Francis High School team inside the Shark Tank, closed out his tenure in the cozy gym with 10 points and a season-best six assists. 

Chaminade (16-11, 10-10 PacWest) looked to spoil the celebration themselves on a night with plenty to gain and even more to lose for the Silverswords, blitzing HPU out of the gate with six 3-point makes in the opening six minutes of action. After falling down by as many as 17, back-to-back buckets from Jonas Visser helped calm the Sharks as they started to work their way closer with some of their own sweet 3-point shooting. 

“Credit to Chaminade,” Nakanishi said of the Sharks’ slow start. “They have really good players and really good shot makers and boy – did they make shots in that first segment.”

Kimura’s first 3-pointer of the game brought HPU within two before Ng’s lone triple of the night gave the Sharks their first lead of the night with under five minutes to play in the first half, 38-37. Another three from Kimura capped off an 11-0 run by HPU, forcing Chaminade to call for timeout as the packed-out Shark Tank tested how loud it could get. 

The Swords recovered momentarily, keeping within a few points before Visser and Weber helped Hawaii Pacific finish the half in a hurry and head into the locker room leading, 49-43. The Sharks connected on 50% of their looks from behind the arc across the opening 20 minutes, draining eight 3-pointers to help offset the early barrage from the Swords. 

HPU started the second half far stronger offensively, holding off the Chaminade push with another Kimura three, an Ng and-one and a seven-point spurt from Weber in the first six minutes out of the break to help extend the advantage for the Sharks into double figures for the first time all night. 

The Silverswords wouldn’t go down quietly, fighting back to pull within six points with six and a half minutes left in regulation after consecutive buckets from the King brothers, but another Weber 3-pointer and a massive two-handed putback dunk by Pellicci stopped the Swords’ momentum cold. HPU’s defense locked in over the final few minutes, only allowing two points in the last 4:08 of play to the visitors.  

Tucker Pellicci provides the exclamation point on Senior Night with a putback slam dunk. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Kent King led the way in a losing effort for the Silverswords, racking up a game-high 17 points while RJ Banks added 13 points. Kameron Ng, the older brother of HPU’s Kordel, finished the night with 10 points, four boards and three assists in his final collegiate game. 

Jonas Visser put up eight points and 11 rebounds in just 15 minutes off the bench while Pavle Kuzmanovic put up eight points with a pair of 3-pointers himself. All 10 HPU players who saw time ended up scoring and helped the Sharks dominate on the glass, doubling up the Swords in rebounds, 56-28. 

“I’m so proud and happy for these guys, especially those six seniors that really gave me everything and gave their teammates everything all year long,” Nakanishi said after the game. “[The team] has done everything we’ve asked. Yeah, we fell short for the season as far as getting into the playoffs but tonight was really a glimpse of some of the basketball potential that we really had but didn’t quite produce all year.” 

HPU closes out its season on Saturday, visiting UH-Hilo on the Big Island with eyes on a season sweep of the PacWest Tournament-bound Vulcans. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. HT and can be seen on the PacWest Network with purchase of access. 

2026 OIA Football Schedule

by | Aug 5, 2026

CLICK HERE for 2026 Playoff Schedule 2026 OIA Division Breakdown Open: Kahuku, Mililani, Campbell, Kapolei, Kailua, Leilehua Division I: Waipahu, Farrington, Waianae, Moanalua, Aiea, Nanakuli, Radford, Roosevelt Division II: Pearl City, Castle,...

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HPU Baseball opens 2025 season with pair of shootout wins over Drury

HPU Baseball opens 2025 season with pair of shootout wins over Drury

Feb 2, 2025

 

HPU Baseball opens 2025 season with pair of shootout wins over Drury

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 2, 2025

The Hawai’i Pacific baseball team had no problem lighting up the scoreboard in the Sharks’ return to Hans L’Orange Field in Waipahu.

HPU started the 2025 season with a 2-0 record after defeating visiting Drury University twice in a double-header Saturday. The Sharks won the opening game, 12-6, before busting out the bats in a 19-9 win in the nightcap.

“Our boys came out ready to go,” said HPU coach Dane Fujinaka, who is entering his fourth season as the Sharks’ skipper. “Overall we competed on all three sides of it today.”

Senior Noah Blythe, a transfer from the University of Antelope Valley, was responsible for nearly a third of the total runs scored on Saturday with 10 RBIs on three doubles and two home runs.

As a designated hitter in the opening game, Blythe drove in the opening run in the bottom of the first on a double batting in the three-hole position. After Drury tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the second, Blythe delivered a two-run homer to regain the lead for HPU in the bottom of the third. The Panthers managed to tie the game at 5-5 in the fourth before Blythe gave the Sharks the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth with a double to score leadoff hitter Noah Hata.

In game two, Blythe hit a three-run bomb to highlight a six-run explosion that put the game out of reach in the bottom of the eighth.

“Every at bat it just felt like he was going to do something,” Fujinaka said of Blythe.

Fujinaka was quick to point out that multiple bats was hot as well — especially the newcomers.

Freshman Tyler Arnold hit the Sharks’ first homer of the season with a two-run blast to give HPU an early 3-0 lead in game one and also batted 3-for-6 with three runs scored in game two.

Arnold shifted from first base to third base in between games, which allowed for playing time for fellow freshman Ethan Murakoshi to play in game two. Murakoshi, who prepped at Mililani, scored three runs in game two and also delivered a two-run home run in the sixth to give HPU a 11-6 lead.

University of Hawai’i transfer Bronson Rivera also homered with a solo shot to lead off the bottom of the fourth in game two to give HPU the lead for good.

Andrew Nykoluk, a shortstop transfer from Saddleback Community College, scored four runs in game two while stealing two bases.

Grand Canyon University transfer Kan Taguchi took over designated hitter duties from Blythe in game two and went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Of the returnees, Skyler Agnew was solid in game one with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate while Hata scored four runs in the opening contest.

“We just had so many good at bats,” Fujinaka said. “You know, I think we can definitely swing it. I think the combination of the physicality that we have this year and also we can still run and we haven’t sacrificed any of our contact skills which we have been known for to good at the last three years. So I think when you add those three things together, it’s what you want.”

Jordan Otjen got the start in game one and went 3 and 1/3 innings before giving way to Shea Blanchard, who got the win by pitching 2 and 2/3 innings of scoreless ball with three strikeouts. Christian Padilla, Vicente Molina and Makana Quia each pitch an inning to close out game one with Quia delivering two strikeouts to earn the save.

In game two, Conor Hourigan struggled to find his slider early on before finding it down the stretch to pick up the win. Jacob Vanek pitched two innings after Hourigan before giving way to Enrique Espinoza and Ryan Inouye, who each pitch an inning apiece. Inouye, who is the Sharks’ all-time leader in saves, faced just three batters with one strikeout to end the game.

“I thought our bullpen was phenomenal,” Fujinaka said. “Our bullpen came in, they pounded the zone, they did their job. They limited big innings from happening.”

HPU will play another exhibition game against Drury on Monday before a three-game series against North Greenville University, the 2022 NCAA Division II champion, on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The Sharks travel to Westmont College to begin PacWest play the week after.

“Going into Monday, we certainly are looking at that game as a competitive baseball game,” said Fujinaka.

“I want to learn more about my team and what I have. A lot of guys that didn’t get to play today will get an opportunity on Monday to show us what they got and compete.

“But looking towards next week when North Greenville comes into town, I’m just excited for the opportunity to play a caliber team like them. You know, we talk about making a run in the NCAA tournament. Well, you know, there’s no better way to find out what you’re made of by facing a top five team in the country, so it’ll definitely get us prepared for conference play and really just find out what we’re made of and I’m excited for it.”

2026 OIA Football Schedule

by | Aug 5, 2026

CLICK HERE for 2026 Playoff Schedule 2026 OIA Division Breakdown Open: Kahuku, Mililani, Campbell, Kapolei, Kailua, Leilehua Division I: Waipahu, Farrington, Waianae, Moanalua, Aiea, Nanakuli, Radford, Roosevelt Division II: Pearl City, Castle,...

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Weber’s block saves day as HPU downs Menlo in 2nd annual Field Trip Game

Weber’s block saves day as HPU downs Menlo in 2nd annual Field Trip Game

Jan 30, 2025

A student holds up a sign during the 2nd annual “Field Trip Game” as HPU took down Menlo with the held of hundreds of cheering keiki. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Weber’s block saves day as HPU downs Menlo in 2nd annual Field Trip Game

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED JANUARY 30, 2025

HONOLULU – Carried by the keiki. 

In major need of a win after losing five of their last six games, the Hawai’i Pacific University men’s basketball team broke out the secret weapon on Thursday as they returned home to host Menlo. With the help of a few shuttles and very selfless volunteers, hundreds of screaming elementary school students from nearby Noelani and Manoa were safely transported from the classrooms, through the pouring rain, and eventually into the Shark Tank to help cheer on the Sharks to a dramatic 74-71 victory over the Oaks. 

After a successful first year of the “Shark Bite” mentorship program, HPU and the local elementary schools teamed up again for another day of fun in the gym as the young students got to see the people that come to their classrooms each week in action on the court. The Sharks put on a show for the kids, seeing four different players finish in double figures on the way to a critical conference win. 

Joshua West, Charlie Weber and Avi Halpert each totaled 16 points for HPU in the victory, taking turns in the second half to help the Sharks overcome a slim halftime deficit to take down one of the hotter teams in the PacWest. West added 11 rebounds to secure his third double-double of the season while Weber came up with the game-sealing block of Salim Arikat to send the students back to school energized from a victory by the Sharks. 

Patrick Ryan led all scorers with 21 points for Menlo, scoring the Oaks’ first nine points of the game and 13 in all during the first half. Defending PacWest Defender of the Week Landon Seamon had an unusually quiet day on the glass, scoring 17 points but snagging just one board as the Sharks held the star forward in check for much of the afternoon. 

After the Oaks’ hot start to the game, HPU worked quickly to knot the game at 18 as Avi Halpert hit the first of his two 3-pointers on the day with 13 minutes left in the opening half. A rapid blitz in transition from Menlo freshman guard Nick Davidson helped the visitors regain the lead, but a nice finish in the final minute of the half from Halpert pulled the Sharks within a possession and sent the team into the locker room with some momentum. 

HPU guard Avi Halpert drives by a defender on the way to the basket during the Sharks’ 74-71 victory over Menlo. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

HPU would surge ahead to start the second half, taking the team’s first lead of the game five minutes out of the break as Tucker Pellicci knocked down a pair of free throws to make it 40-39. Some quality minutes from Jakob Kimura pushed the Sharks’ lead to as many as seven, helping the hosts shave off valuable time from the clock as they traded baskets with Menlo. 

Joshua West looked to deliver the dagger for HPU with 1:38 left to play, but turnovers, missed free throws and a slippery floor helped the Oaks make a rapid dash to pull within three with five seconds left and the ball. After a timeout, Menlo executed a sideline out-of-bounds play beautifully, getting what looked like a clean look for Salim Arikat from the top of the key to tie. 

Flying in came Charlie Weber. 

The 6-foot-9 forward denied Arikat’s attempt, sending the ball to the floor as the buzzer sounded and hundreds of elementary schoolers screamed in delight. In total, the HPU defense held Menlo to a 2-of-17 performance from long distance as the Sharks shot back up into PacWest Tournament contention. 

Pavle Kuzmanovic added 10 points and two rebounds off the bench for HPU, knocking down two of the Sharks’ nine makes from behind the arc. Jakob Kimura chipped in five points and drilled his first 3-pointer in nearly a month to help spark the Sharks in the second half. Tucker Pellicci finished the day with four points, three rebounds and two blocks to provide a massive defensive spark. 

You can catch the recording of this and other HPU Sharks Athletics broadcasts in our archives or under ‘Hawaii Sports Radio Network’ where you get most podcasts. 

2026 OIA Football Schedule

by | Aug 5, 2026

CLICK HERE for 2026 Playoff Schedule 2026 OIA Division Breakdown Open: Kahuku, Mililani, Campbell, Kapolei, Kailua, Leilehua Division I: Waipahu, Farrington, Waianae, Moanalua, Aiea, Nanakuli, Radford, Roosevelt Division II: Pearl City, Castle,...

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HPU settles for Hoops in Hawai’i Holiday Classic split after loss to No. 6 Wooster

HPU settles for Hoops in Hawai’i Holiday Classic split after loss to No. 6 Wooster

Dec 22, 2024

HPU center Jonas Visser flips up a hook shot over EJ Kapihe during the Sharks’ 45-43 loss to the Fighting Scots in the Hoops in Hawaii Holiday Classic. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

HPU settles for Hoops in Hawai’i Holiday Classic split after loss to No. 6 Wooster

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 22, 2024

HONOLULU – Came up short. 

The Hawai’i Pacific University men’s basketball team struggled mightily on Saturday night, seeing the offense post a season-low in points during a heartbreaking 45-43 loss to the College of Wooster, an elite Division III program currently ranked as the sixth-best team in the country. An especially ugly first half for the Sharks that included 13 turnovers and a paltry 20.7% shooting clip saw the hosts fall down by as many as 18 points in the opening frame. 

Jamir Billings led all scorers with 13 points for the Fighting Scots (10-0), filling the box sheet during his 38 minutes of work as he added four rebounds, four steals and a pair of assists in the win for a still-unbeaten Wooster team. Jaiden Cox-Holloway played all 40 minutes for the Scots, posting a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds to go with four steals and two blocks as he joined Billings as all-tournament team selections. 

HPU (6-5) was held without a double-digit scorer for the first time this season as Joshua West paced the Sharks with nine points and two steals in the loss. Jacob Kimura enjoyed his best game of the year with eight points and five rebounds off the bench as the team closed out the non-conference schedule a single game over .500.  

EJ Kapihe, a local product out of Kamehameha-Kāpalama returning home in an incredibly rare trip to Hawai’i for the Wooster (OH) program, started the scoring with a short-range finish on the Fighting Scots’ first possession. HPU failed to connect on its first 13 shot attempts, being held scoreless as 10 turnovers by the Sharks helped Wooster get out to an 18-0 lead after 10 minutes of play.

Wooster forward EJ Kapihe works in the post against HPU’s Maj Dusanic. Kapihe, a ’22 graduate from. Kamehameha-Kapalama, returned home for the first time in his college playing career for the holiday tournament. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Sherman Brashear finally snapped the scoring drought with 9:23 left before half as he drilled a three-pointer in rhythm after a nice find by Maj Dusanic. The bucket by the Dallas native sparked a small 9-3 run over the next two minutes for HPU, pulling the Sharks within a dozen with seven and a half minutes until the break. 

The sixth-ranked Fighting Scots settled back down, going to the defending NCAC player of the year Nick Everett down low in the waning minutes of the opening half to help maintain a 13-point advantage going into the locker rooms. Wooster shot 41.4% from the field over the first 20 minutes, hitting 12-of-29 attempts, double the amount makes from the floor as HPU over that same period. 

After seeing the deficit extend to 16 after the Scots scored five of the first seven points out of the half, Joshua West provided the shot in the arm that the Sharks needed as he flushed down a two-handed jam with 16:58 left to play. The dunk by the former Division III all-conference wing sparked a personal 9-0 run that brought HPU within single digits for the first time since the 14-minute mark of the first half. 

Issac Roeder stopped the bleeding for Wooster with a layup and Billings dropped in a jumper from the mid-range to restore an 11-point advantage for the Fighting Scotts, but Avi Halpert came back with his lone three-pointer of the night to spark another run for HPU. A pair of Charlie Weber dunks sandwiched Jacob Kimura’s three to push the Sharks in front for the first time all night with six minutes remaining, 40-39. 

HPU forward Charlie Weber runs back on defense after giving the Sharks a one-point lead. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Jamir Billings snatched the lead back for the Scots with a tough triple with about four minutes to play, but Jonas Visser finally made his first shot from the floor on a feed from Pavle Kuzmanovic to give the Sharks a 43-42 advantage with 2:30 to go. Billings again played hero for Wooster as he drilled a deep three over a defender to put the Scots ahead for good with 101 seconds left.  

HPU would get three different bites at trying to tie or take the lead before the final buzzer, including a steal with two seconds left that allowed for a near-midcourt heave by Sherman Brashear, but came up empty on all three as Wooster survived the Sharks’ vicious second half rally to remain unbeaten. 

Charlie Weber and Sherman Brashear each had seven points in the loss for the Sharks, combining to go 5-for-16 with seven giveaways. Jonas Visser, who entered the game among the most efficient scorers in the country in Division II, connected on a woeful 1-of-10 attempts from the floor as the big man from the Netherlands finished the night with three points and nine rebounds. 

HPU will return to action after the holidays, taking Christmas and New Years’ Day off before hosting new PacWest foe Vanguard on January 2 inside the Shark Tank. The conference added three new programs in total, seeing Menlo and Jessup join the fray as well to make it a 14-team league with six available spots in the postseason tournament. 

2026 OIA Football Schedule

by | Aug 5, 2026

CLICK HERE for 2026 Playoff Schedule 2026 OIA Division Breakdown Open: Kahuku, Mililani, Campbell, Kapolei, Kailua, Leilehua Division I: Waipahu, Farrington, Waianae, Moanalua, Aiea, Nanakuli, Radford, Roosevelt Division II: Pearl City, Castle,...

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Elmasri powers Chaminade over HPU in close game, 73-69

Elmasri powers Chaminade over HPU in close game, 73-69

Dec 14, 2024

Elmasri powers Chaminade over HPU in close game, 73-69

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 14, 2024

Visiting Hawai’i Pacific started off slow before putting together a furious comeback attempt late against host Chaminade.

But Sameera Elmasri had other plans.

The senior forward scored a career-high 27 points and knocked down 10 of 11 free throw attempts to help the Silverswords hold off the Sharks, 73-69, Saturday afternoon before a crowd of 124 in a PacWest Conference matchup at McCabe Gymnasium.

Elmasri did work in all four quarters to help the Silverswords improve to 3-5 overall and 2-0 in PacWest play.

She started things off with an assist to Maddy Weaver for Chaminade’s first basket and then later picked up a steal that led to a Julien Parado layup for a 4-0 lead. Elmasri also hit on a jumper and pair of free throws late in the opening quarter helped the Silverswords take a 24-14 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.

Her second quarter was a quiet one, but a jumper in the paint gave Chaminade a 38-21 lead, its largest of the game at that point, at the 4:08 mark of the period.

The third quarter was when Elmasri really started to get cooking.

On the first three Silverswords’ possession of the second half, Elmasri hit a 3-point shot and back-to-back free throws before scoring on a fast break layup to make it a 49-30 game.

The Sharks (3-3, 1-1) trimmed the deficit to 11 midway through the third quarter, which prompted Elmasri to knock down two straight shot to push the lead back to 53-38.

HPU did not go quietly however as the visitors cut the deficit down to 10 heading into the fourth quarter.

By pushing the pace, the Sharks clawed their way back into the contest and even took the lead on an Ella Berge layup to go up 69-68, with 2:22 remaining in regulation.

But HPU could not get anything going the rest of the way as Elmasri converted on her final four free throw attempts for the final point total.

Dezaray Carter scored 12 points and Morgan Escobedo had nine to round out the top scorers for Chaminade, who saw nine different players register points.

Erika Glenn led the Sharks off the bench with 17 points in 16 minutes before having to leave the game with an apparent knee injury.

2026 OIA Football Schedule

by | Aug 5, 2026

CLICK HERE for 2026 Playoff Schedule 2026 OIA Division Breakdown Open: Kahuku, Mililani, Campbell, Kapolei, Kailua, Leilehua Division I: Waipahu, Farrington, Waianae, Moanalua, Aiea, Nanakuli, Radford, Roosevelt Division II: Pearl City, Castle,...

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