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Tuesday, May 9, 2000
Kahuku star signs
By Al Chase
with Wahine
Star-BulletinApril Atuaia signed a letter of intent yesterday to play for the University of Hawaii Wahine basketball team next season.
The 5-foot-10 shooting guard led the Kahuku Red Raiders to a third-place finish in the Oahu Interscholastic Association playoffs and a berth in next week's HHSAA Girls' State Tournament.
Atuaia returned to Hawaii this year to finish high school after earning all-state honors in volleyball and basketball at Orem (Utah) High School her junior season.
"We have really been impressed with April's intensity and work ethic," Wahine head coach Vince Goo said. "She has shown a lot of ability on the court and is solid academically."
Recruited by Brigham Young, Temple and Wyoming, Atuaia has known where she wanted to play college basketball for a long time.
"I've wanted to play for the Wahine ever since I was in the sixth grade," she said.
Why?
"Because it's UH and it's here in Hawaii," said Atuaia who lived in Utah the last five years.
Atuaia scored 22 points and had 12 rebounds and four assists when Kahuku upset previously unbeaten Moanalua on April 29.
"It was a big game and she played big," said Moanalua girls' head coach Dana Diaz. "She's an impact player. She has a lot of basketball savvy and I was most impressed with her court sense. She'll be a great addition for the Wahine."
April is the younger sister of Mark Atuaia, the standout Kahuku running back.
She is the fourth recruit to sign with Hawaii. Signing earlier were guards Christa Brossman, Melanie Croser and Janka Gabrielova.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
