By Paul Honda
Some thoughts from veteran Big Island sportswriter Hugh Clark on the 44-point performance by St. Joseph guard Jacob Andrade in a win over Hilo on Tuesday.
“In my mind it ranks up there with the giants I watched since the 1966-67, season — Alan Tanabe, Reed Sunahara and Bruce Ferreira. I recall Bruce cutting and slashing for 31 in state semis (I think) against Moanalua. Reed shared scoring duties with Rene Sanchez and had to control the boards. I still do not know if Hilo was/is overrated or St. Joe is that good. I do know Jacob is not a one-player show Junior Thomas Fairman had 10 points and 19 (cq) boards. I missed the Ed Bento show at St. Joe’s in 1950s but this output exceeded anything in a major game in my 45 seasons here.”
….yup, this game was one to remember…..no only did Jacob have a hot hand, the entire team played very well. Hilo’s devastating full court press that terrorized teams during the preseason was no where in sight on this night. For those who were at the game, Thomas Fairman was the one who dominated the game, he blocked or altered almost ever shot that came into the paint. Which led to wide open transission lay-ups and wide open three’s by Andrade, not to mention great passing, from their point guard, Wil Scanlan-Leite. Thomas may have finished the night with a triple-double, capping off a great night with a two handed dunk with less than a minute left, before being pulled for the game.