Ewa Beach Hoopster Anxious To Leave Weights For Courts
By MidWeek Staff
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Kameron Steinhoff is one who believes players are made in the off-season. The HPU sophomore and former Punahou basketball standout made the weight room his second home in the spring and summer, and now he’s awaiting the on-court results with the Sea Warriors, who have their first official practice for the 2010-11 season on Friday.
“Me and Kawika (Lyons) would go to 24 Hour Fitness all the time to get in good workouts, and then we’d go to Kaneohe District Park to work on our ball-handling and our shooting,” said Steinhoff, who was raised and still lives in Ewa Beach. “We put a lot of time and effort into that.”
Steinhoff and Lyons are among only three HPU returnees, and both should have greatly expanded roles this season. Hawaii Pacific also is in coaching transition with Sea Warriors athletic director Darren Vorderbruegge returning to the sidelines to replace Tony Sellitto, who retired after leading HPU to a 19-8 record (11-5 in the PacWest).
“Coach Vord is more disciplined and more team-oriented,” Steinhoff said. “We had four-man practices back in the spring before the others (new recruits) arrived, so we got to know him. He wants a (team that is a) family. He brings everyone together as one.”
Steinhoff was a reserve last season during what was considered his freshman year, eligibility-wise, as he appeared in 24 games. He posted a career-high of 13 points in 22 minutes of action in HPU’s overtime win versus Dominican University. He spent the 2008-09 season as a red-shirt, attending classes and participating in practice, while preserving four years of college eligibility. As a result, he’s been counting down the minutes until the Oct. 15 starting date.
“I’m a lot more excited this year, knowing I’m fighting for a starting spot or at least working myself into the rotation.” He’s added 30 pounds of bulk to an already-chiseled frame since his prep days and is now 6-foot-5, 210 pounds. Projected to play at either the three or four (small forward) spot, he’ll play center if it means playing time.
“I’ll play anywhere they need me,” he said.
Steinhoff already came to HPU with considerable skills, having earned Player of the Year honors in his senior year of high school, when he led the Buffanblu to the 2007 Division I state title. His entire season seemed in jeopardy when he suffered a ruptured spleen in a football game in late September of that year.
“I wasn’t supposed to play, but I came back by mid-November,” he said.
Steinhoff said the biggest adjustment to the college game has been the speed and strength needed to compete at a high level.
“Coming out of a Hawaii high school versus a Mainland school, red-shirting and getting a chance to practice with the other players helped improve my speed, strength and shooting. I definitely missed playing, but I also got to observe and make myself better. (The game) is really fast. Size-wise, guys are a lot bigger.
You have to play to your strengths, and you definitely have to work hard.”
Amid his preparations for school and basketball, Steinhoff maintained his ties to the ocean. “I still surf - I like to go once a week - and sometimes I paddle board with family. I make time for those things.”
HPU’s public unveiling is Nov. 13 in an exhibition versus a team from China. The Sea Warriors officially open the season in Monmouth, Ore., Nov. 17 when they meet Simon Fraser as part of the Western Oregon D2 Shootout. HPU will play Saint Martin’s University Nov. 19 and Western Oregon Nov. 20. The Sea Warriors’ home opener is set for Nov. 26 against Carleton College.
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