De’Andre Haskins is a senior on the Chaminade men’s basketball team and a staff writer for the Chaminade Silversword student newspaper. He will be filing stories throughout the week from the Maui Invitational:
The Maui Invitational is a tournament watched by millions of basketball lovers each year. The 2012 Maui Invitational has been an amazing event for college athletes and especially for Chaminade University. Before the official games begin Chaminade athletes leave Honolulu early Saturday morning at 530 a.m., lands and gets settled in to The Weston Hotel by 8:30 a.m. Our day is just getting started, after lifting and practicing in the Lahaina Civic Center we head out to have a special clinic for the youth of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. It is amazing to feel the love of the people of Maui because they really love Chaminade basketball.
No time to go to the beach or cool off by the pool, we go to our rooms to shower and get ready for picture taking and signing autographs on Official Maui Basketball that are auctioned off to boosters, fans and/or alumni of different schools. Shortly after that all the teams get ready to compete in fun games at the players party with good food and live music in harmless video games. This years video game challenge was on NCAA Football. I was the representative for the Chaminade against Texas, although the outcome was not in the Swords’ favor. The meet and great with all the players is a good way for the teams to come together as people. It was fun getting to know some of the USC players and the fact that we all grew up or knew fellow athletes.
“I enjoyed hanging out with the player of the other teams and getting a chance to support De’Andre in a video game where he got destroyed,” said Chaminade’s Darko Vukasovic.
On Sunday, legendary basketball players Ralph Samson, Merv Lopes and Tony Randolph being at the athletic banquet was an amazing feeling. Meeting these men inspired me and boosted my confidence to a whole new level. This will be a great Maui for all the Chaminade University attendees.
The first game for the Silverswords is against the University of Texas. The Longhorns are an extremely big, physical team much like New Zealand although with a greater depth to their roster. It will be a tough game for the Silverswords unless they pressure the Longhorns’ young team into turning the ball over and keeping them off the rebounds as best as they possibly can.
“I’m feeling pretty relaxed,” said senior guard Dominic Cooks. “We have done this so many times now. I just want to really enjoy the moment because it’s some of the guys’ last Maui.”
Forward Rhys Murphy has been recovering from some stomach illnesses and hopes to be in full health for the game. If the Swords have a great game against the Longhorns, it might be another upset.
The Maui Invitational is a tournament watched by millions of basketball lovers each year. The 2012 Maui Invitational has been an amazing event for college athletes and especially for Chaminade University. Before the official games begin Chaminade athletes leave Honolulu early Saturday morning at 530 a.m., lands and gets settled in to The Weston Hotel by 8:30 a.m. Our day is just getting started, after lifting and practicing in the Lahaina Civic Center we head out to have a special clinic for the youth of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. It is amazing to feel the love of the people of Maui because they really love Chaminade basketball.
No time to go to the beach or cool off by the pool, we go to our rooms to shower and get ready for picture taking and signing autographs on Official Maui Basketball that are auctioned off to boosters, fans and/or alumni of different schools. Shortly after that all the teams get ready to compete in fun games at the players party with good food and live music in harmless video games. This years video game challenge was on NCAA Football. I was the representative for the Chaminade against Texas, although the outcome was not in the Swords’ favor. The meet and great with all the players is a good way for the teams to come together as people. It was fun getting to know some of the USC players and the fact that we all grew up or knew fellow athletes.
“I enjoyed hanging out with the player of the other teams and getting a chance to support De’Andre in a video game where he got destroyed,” said Chaminade’s Darko Vukasovic.
On Sunday, legendary basketball players Ralph Samson, Merv Lopes and Tony Randolph being at the athletic banquet was an amazing feeling. Meeting these men inspired me and boosted my confidence to a whole new level. This will be a great Maui for all the Chaminade University attendees.
The first game for the Silverswords is against the University of Texas. The Longhorns are an extremely big, physical team much like New Zealand although with a greater depth to their roster. It will be a tough game for the Silverswords unless they pressure the Longhorns’ young team into turning the ball over and keeping them off the rebounds as best as they possibly can.
“I’m feeling pretty relaxed,” said senior guard Dominic Cooks. “We have done this so many times now. I just want to really enjoy the moment because it’s some of the guys’ last Maui.”
Forward Rhys Murphy has been recovering from some stomach illnesses and hopes to be in full health for the game. If the Swords have a great game against the Longhorns, it might be another upset.