The Punahou Invitational Basketball Tournament was on the ropes in the past 18 hours.
Last night, the first two games were moved to Maryknoll, across the street, when high humidity made the hardwood floor at Punahou’s Hemmeter Fieldhouse unplayable. The hope was that the later games would be played at Punahou.
But an e-mail came from the Punahou athletic department noting that the humidity levels were “horrendous” and that the games would be postponed until morning. That meant the four teams playing in the postponed games would have to suit up for action in the morning and evening in a best-case scenario.
Punahou worried about the worst-case scenario.
“The floor was extremely slippery. We are not sure what to do if the morning games do not get played,” the e-mail from Punahou read. “Since most gyms are in the same predicament or are not available.”
For the Punahou ohana, there was a miracle of sorts. Early this morning, 30 players went to work on the floor in Hemmeter and were joined by the school’s paddling team.
At last report, the games “are on,” according to the athletic department. Morning games were played at 9 and 10:30 a.m., and the semifinal round is set to begin later this afternoon.
That’s some good news we can all enjoy.
Paul Honda, Star-Advertiser
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