Hawaii Swish

[2/11/17] he Hawaii Swish’s first foray into the realm of professional basketball was a success.

Team owner Geremy Robinson scored 24 points and a youthful crowd of around 600 was on hand in the Blaisdell Arena for a 99-84 victory over the Yuba City Goldminers in the Swish debut in the American Basketball Association on Friday night.

The Swish overcame a 13-point first-half deficit to win going away.

“That was wonderful. This was a really big win,” said Robinson, a former University of Hawaii guard. “I’m so proud of my team. They stepped up. Imagine when they get some real experience — these guys are going to be great.”

The Swish, sporting Lakers-esque gold jerseys, are comprised of a mix of former UH and other college players. Derrick Braziel scored 18 points, Mark Veazey added 15 and Leon Ballard 14 in the victory.

“The crowd was excellent. It was more than I thought it would be,” coach Artie Wilson said. “I think we got excited and they played the music and they got energy in this building. My team really thrived from that energy.”

*** [2/24/17]

But now what we have is the Hawaii Swish, and now maybe — just maybe — this time it’s different.

Why?

Because Geremy Robinson is no carpetbagger.

No one is coming and going — they’re already here. Hawaii is Robinson’s home, as it is for coach Artie Wilson and all of the Swish players.

You already know a lot of the names: Miah Ostrowski, Pi’i Minns, JC Carter.

This is no fly-by-night operation. Actually, the Swish aren’t flying anywhere at all. No road games, not until next year.

Robinson, 38, doesn’t only own the Swish. After one game, he is its leading scorer. A crowd of somewhere between 600 and 1,200, depending on who you talk to, saw him score 24 points as the Swish beat the Yuba City Goldminers 99-84 at the Blaisdell Arena on Feb. 10.