Victorino Goes To Bat For Local Hoopsters

By Wendy Osher

Shane Victorino, file photo by Wendy Osher.

Maui’s Shane Victorino exchanges his glove and spikes for sneakers and shorts at Sunday’s Holiday Hoops basketball clinic.

The all-star outfielder with the Philadelphia Phillies has agreed to participate in the clinic, co-hosted by the Lahainaluna Athletic Department and basketballMAUI.

Victorino played multiple sports, including basketball during his high school years.

He will attend the clinic after hosting his 4th annual Shane Victorino Celebrity Golf Classic a day earlier on Saturday, November 19, 2011 in Wailea.

He will be joined by UCLA coach Ben Howland, former Bruin Jim Harrick, and NBC Camps Founder Fred Crowell.

The clinic is for kids ages 8 to 18, and comes just ahead of the EA Sports Maui Invitational tournament taking place next week at the Lahaina Civic Center.

“This is going to be a very special night for our youth and their coaches,” said event spokesman Dan Williams. “With the addition of Shane, it can’t get much better. It is wonderful to see one of our own give back to the programs he grew up with,” said Williams.

The clinic takes place this Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at Lahainaluna.

A complimentary Akina Tour bus transportation for Upcountry players will depart from the Seabury Hall lower gym parking lot at 4:30 p.m.

All attendees are requested to meet in the parking lot below the Lainaluna gymnasium.

For more information, call Dan at (808) 276-0260, or visit www.basketballmaui.com.