Wahine finally the one

With four starters back, Hawaii is the team to beat in the Pacific Division

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

The University of Hawaii women's basketball team will be out to prove something a little different this season.

In the past, the Wahine had never been voted No. 1 in any conference coaches preseason poll. But this year the Western Athletic Conference coaches tabbed UH to finish No. 1 in the Pacific Division.

"In the past we were either No. 2, 3 or 4 and we tried to prove the coaches wrong," Wahine head coach Vince Goo said. "This year we're out to prove that the coaches were right."

"It was nice the coaches picked us No. 1. It shows they had respect for us," fifth-year senior Nani Cockett said. "But it doesn't mean much to us. We still have to go out and prove we deserve it. We have one goal in mind and that is to be better than last year."

The Wahine return four starters from a team that finished 21-8 in 1996-97, but was snubbed by the NCAA Selection Committee.

Like Goo's previous squads, the 1997-98 team will use pressure whenever possible and rely on quickness.

"We're not as tall as we would like to be and we'll have to adjust offensively and defensively to hide some of our weaknesses," he said. "We'll chase on defense, and on offense, we'll try to have people chase us."

With the loss of center Kendis Leeburg, Brandi Ashby takes over the post position. BJ Itoman returns at point guard and Cockett, an All-America candidate, is back at shooting guard. Raylene Howard is at small forward and Lylie Page at power forward.

The perimeter game will take on added importance this season. Ashby, who is better suited for the power forward position where she played last year, will play more high post than low post.

If the perimeter game isn't clicking and UH doesn't force opponents to come out on defense, then the inside won't be available.

Here is Goo's assessment of his starting five:

Itoman: "A quiet player with a great work ethic who shows her leadership by what she does on the court. She is a difficult player to play against and is an excellent defender."

Itoman averaged 9.9 points per game a year ago and led the Wahine with 132 assists.

Cockett: "A definite All-American. One coach called her one of the best - if not the best - player in the conference. She is a solid defender, a stopper who blocks shots, makes steals, rebounds and offensively has all the shots."

Cockett averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 blocks (best in the WAC) last year.

Howard: "An excellent perimeter shooter, she is a quick player who doesn't look like she's going very fast, but is always in the right spot. She runs the floor well and plays with intelligence because she knows the whole game."

Howard, the WAC Pacific Division Freshman of the Year last season, averaged 9.7 points and 4.2 rebounds.

Page: "She is really a perimeter player, but has been moved to power forward because we have her at that position. She is able to play inside and outside and is probably the most difficult to defend. We hope to get her in favorable matchups."

Page was the Big West Conference Freshman of the Year while playing for San Jose State in 1995-96.

Ashby: "She is adjusting well since UH's power forward and post players do a lot of similar things. She is going to play away from the basket more than we normally would with a post player. She has a low post game, but she's going to have to play hard and rely on her quickness. We can't put her in there against the beef because she won't last."

Ashby averaged seven points and 7.5 rebounds a year ago.

EARLY SIGNINGS: None. Goo and his staff made nine home visits and brought four players in for campus visits, three of whom turned UH down.

OPENING SPECIAL: The Hawaiian Regent Classic on Friday and Sunday is "Kids Weekend."

Fans who purchase tickets prior to game day will receive a second ticket at equal or lesser value. The offer is good for both days of the tournament.

The Rainbowtique will distribute pins, and fans displaying the pins at the Rainbowtique receive a 10 percent discount on merchandise.

Also, the Rainbowtique will distribute coupons good for a $1 discount on tickets for the Wahine Basketball Classic, Nov. 28-30.

Wahine Roster

No. Player     Pos. Ht. Yr.

 3 Kylie Page    F 6-0 So.

 4 Maj Forsberg G 5-4 Jr.

 5 Liisa Kotilainen  G5-8 Sr.

20 Nani Cockett G 5-11 Sr.

21 BJ Itoma       G5-5 Jr.

23 Crystal Lee  G 5-10 Fr.

24 Brandi Ashby  F6-2 Sr.

25 Sarah Petersen  C 6-3 Fr.

30 Hedy Liu    F5-11 So.

32 Kyla Evers  G 5-8 So.

34 Karena Greeny  F 5-11 Fr.

40 Lydia Afualo F 6-1 Fr.

42 Destree Waulet  C 6-3 Sr.

44 Raylene Howard  F 5-11 So.

Head coach: Vince Goo (10th year, 200-93).

Associate head coach: George Wolfe.

Assistant coaches: Da Houl, Serenda Valdez.

Administrative assistant: Dana Dias.