On Monday, February 20, the community came out to support the Men and Women’s Seasider basketball teams in the Cannon Activities Center as they played their last Seasider basketball games. The athletics department recognized that this special evening for players and the community by arranging special activities to send them out with a bang. Besides a white out theme, ice cream and giveaways, including the opportunity to win a car by shooting and making a half court shot, though the community member just barely missed on that chance! However, the teams played with true determination with musicians performing in half time and activities for the supporters throughout the games.
While Point Loma took the win in the men’s game, the Seasiders showed true spirit, consistent with how they’ve played all season. "I am really proud of how these guys played all year," BYU-Hawaii head coach Gabriel Roberts said. "There were several times these guys could have given up this year and they kept fighting. Even tonight we played hard until the final whistle."
The women Seasiders also gave the game their best. Although the high number of turnovers in the women’s game against Point Loma left the win just out of reach, SiderNation has been represented well. "I am proud of how this group has competed all season," head coach Craig Stanger said. "We had solid performances.” The solid performance made the evening memorable for the players and the community.
One consistent theme throughout the basketball history at BYU–Hawaii is that the focus has been on the student athletes. Very experienced and qualified coaches have guided the players and helped them both on and off the court. The players agree that the team spirit has made playing as a Seasider a memorable experience and especially nostalgic for some.
As the season of Seasider Basketball comes to a close, team members will continue to contribute in other areas of their life. Most team players will continue their education at BYU–Hawaii in the spring semester while others prepare for graduation. Some players return to their home countries of New Zealand and Denmark. Taryn Skahil, from the women’s team, will head to Brazil Salvador South Mission to serve a mission for 18 months. The mission of BYU–Hawaii becomes evident as you look into the lives of the players and see that they are now “go[ing] forth to serve". The growth that has come through training and playing throughout the season has made the players stronger people, but they remember the legacy before them. As what was said by Brad Jones, Athletics Director, at the beginning of the season, “We are here and have been made great because of the other student-athletes and coaches [who preceded us].”
