A Roof Above Us

LAHAINA, Hawaii -- The Lahaina Civic Center sits on a hill above Honoapiilani Highway in western Maui, barely visible among the tropical trees and police station.The outside of the building is nondescript even up close, looking more like a school auditorium than a basketball arena. Same thing on the inside, with its upstairs, YMCA-style lockers and cage-like windows overlooking the court.Yet every November, the Lahaina Civic Center transforms into something else: one of college basketballs most raucous venues.Its like a high school gym being there, Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said Sunday, the eve of the Maui Invitational. The noise is loud, people are close to you. I think its neat. This time of year you want to play in front of an excited crowd, an arena where everything is close. Theres just so much you can gain from an experience like this and in a building like that. Theres really nothing like it.The Maui Invitational has become the top in-season tournament on the college basketball schedule, annually luring some of the best teams from across the country to the second-largest island in the Hawaiian chain.This years eight-team field has combined for 14 national championships and 40 Final Fours, and three teams are ranked in the top 10 of The Associated Press poll : No. 4 Oregon, No. 5 North Carolina and No. 9 Wisconsin.The three-day tournament, which starts Monday, also includes Tennessee, Oklahoma State, UConn, Georgetown and host Chaminade.At the center of this basketball-topia is the 2,400-seat Lahaina Civic Center.Built in 1972, the building is used as a public civic center 50 weeks out of the year, hosting high school basketball leagues, volleyball games, karate practices and community events.The two weeks of the Maui Invitational brings some changes to the civic center -- signs and banners, TV lights, cushioned chairs in front of the bleachers -- but its still nowhere near matching the massive, modern arenas found across the rest of college basketball. It didnt even have air conditioning until the 2005 tournament -- after North Carolina coach Roy Williams complained about condensation on the floor.Its hard to adapt an old building with such character into a 2016 basketball arena that everyones used to, said Mark Starsiak, director of events for KemperLesnik, which operates the Maui Invitational.I tell teams every year: `Its the most unique experience youll have walking from the locker room all season. If you have any questions, Ill try to answer them.Calling the Lahaina Civic Center quirky is like saying basketball players are tall.The court, outside of the massive Maui Invitational logo at midcourt, is like a high school hardwood, with volleyball court and vertical basketball lines crisscrossing the court.The seats are like something out of Hoosiers, old bleachers that are practically on top of the court and only go up a dozen-or-so rows.The locker rooms are unlike anything in college basketball.Those are on the second floor, up a narrow stairwell that leads to a common area with taekwondo and wrestling lines on the floor, with nothing but a black curtain separating the teams. The common room also has cage-like windows that overlook the floor, though the view has been obscured a bit with the massive Hawaiian-themed banner at the west side of the arena.The lockers are the old, metal bring-your-own variety, with four concrete chairs, a single whiteboard and showers that dont always work.Because of the small confines, teams waiting for the next game have to set up in the common area and often can be seen at the bottom of the stairwells as the previous game is about to end.Leave your strategy for the hotel because your opponent is right through there, Starsiak said, pointing at the black curtain. Anything you say can and will be used against you on the court.With all the pampering teams and players usually get, it might seem like the civic centers inconveniences would be a drawback.Instead, the quirkiness and quaintness adds to the charm of the building and the tournament, often making the players feel like theyre back in high school.And because of the venues size, the noise and atmosphere inside the Lahaina Civic Center is like nothing else in college basketball.The environments great, Georgetown coach John Thompson III said. The fans are right on top of you, you feel the emotion of the fans the whole time. Much like this entire tournament, the game is a unique experience.---For more AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org [url=http://www.kopennlsneakers.nl/asics-gel-kayano-21-nederland.html]Asics Gel Kayano 21 Dames[/url] .In my heart and mind Im competing for India, luge competitor Shiva Keshavan told The Associated Press in an email interview. 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We continue to exchange volleys. Were ready when theyre ready. Ive even talked to Madison. Were very clear.MadBum pitched a four-hitter in a 3-0 road win against the Mets in the wild-card game last week to continue his October dominance, then had a no-decision in Monday nights 6-5, 13-inning Game 3 victory against the Cubs. Chicago eliminated the Giants the next night.The 27-year-old left-hander 15-9 with a 2.74 ERA this season. Two years ago, his spectacular postseason instantly put him right up with the best ever in October. He tossed 270 innings, including 21 with two wins and a save in a World Series that went to Game 7 against the Royals.His value to the Giants, its sort of incalculable, CEO Larry Baer said, noting hes already fielding questions about when the pitcher will get a statue. Hes been a tremendous asset for us. Hes done historic things.The Giants like to keep their homegrown players around well into the future.In April, first baseman Brandon Belt received a $79 million, six-year contract that takes him through the 2021 season. Shortstop Brandon Crawford signed a $75 million, six-year contract last November through the 2021 season.I have spoken with Madisons agent about what the timing would be, Evans said. Again, this is a conversation Ive had with each of his representatives that hes had this year. Timing on that I cant speak to.While the sting of falling short was still felt by the brass two days later -- the Giants would have played a Game 5 on Thursday back at Wrigley Field -- a team that clinched the second wild card on the seasons final day was credited for sticking it out through a tough second half.The group still hates to lose as much as they like to win, and thats a powerful statement, said Brian Sabean, executive vice president of baseball operations.ddddddddddddManager Bruce Bochy insists his health is good and he is ready to get exploring out in the mountains this offseason and prepare to win another championship. He spent a night in a Miami hospital in August but insists he is strong and energized to improve at age 61.Nobody is hurting more than this team and myself that were not playing tonight with a chance to move on, Bochy said. Im hungry to get back to the World Series, win another one. I couldnt feel better to be honest.San Francisco is strongly considering promoting from within the organization to fill spots in left field -- with Jarrett Parker or Mac Williamson -- while Eduardo Nunez and Conor Gillaspie are likely to play third. Nunez, whose strained right hamstring limited him down the stretch and in the playoffs, is someone Evans likes on an everyday basis with his fire offensively and athletically and I think he did a really nice job defensively.Its important to value our internal options, Evans said, noting both third basemen are both very strong options for us at third. Thats most likely the direction well go.Finding a closer will be a top priority, with Evans saying he would explore every opportunity to make sure that no ninth inning goes unstaffed.Well find ways to improve our bullpen. We have a good core there for years to come, he said. 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