‘Best times of my life’: Former ’Bows reunite for UH’s March Madness game

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The University of Hawaii’s return to the NCAA Tournament brought more than a March Madness moment.

It sparked a Rainbow Warrior reunion in the stands.

Even though Hawaii fell to Arkansas, hundreds of UH fans showed up loud and proud — including several members of the 2016 Rainbow Warrior team that last reached the NCAA Tournament.

Former ‘Bows Zach Buscher, Aaron Valdes, and Brocke Stepteau know what it’s like to compete on college basketball’s biggest stage.

“Looking back, these are some of the best times of my life,” Buscher said. “Obviously, a very special experience coming to March Madness and getting to play on a national stage and having a chance to do something special in front of our fans.”

When Hawaii qualified this year, the former teammates immediately booked flights, even though they now live in different parts of the country.

Buscher, a Kailua native, even brought ti leaf to hand out to UH fans.

“We had a group thread with some of the guys trying to get guys excited and ready to come, whether it was San Diego or Portland, and when they won, we got the boys together, got a chat going, and we made it happen,” Buscher said.

Buscher also made the trip to support former teammate and now UH assistant coach Gibson Johnson.

“The University of Hawaii means so much to me. It’s where I made a name for myself in college basketball, and now, 10 years later, it’s where both my kids were born, so it means the world,” said Johnson.

Buscher said, “I was a ball boy growing up, wiping sweat off the floors so obviously walked on and spent some time with the team, but seeing familiar faces and the same fans supporting and being a part of that energy, it feels good.”

Previous coverage

• Pep rally leaves UH basketball fans eager for postseason tournament
• Overtime thriller: Rainbow Wahine advance to semifinals with ‘community behind us’
• UH men’s, women’s teams advance to championship games
• ‘Bows men’s basketball wins Big West, heads to March Madness
• ‘Come ready to win’: UH outlines game plan for Arkansas in NCAA Tournament
• Hawaii ‘filled with pride’ despite loss to Arkansas in NCAA Tournament opener

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