[ WAHINE BASKETBALL ]
Wahine hope to
come back better
than everBut with Goo retiring, uncertainty
about who will lead them could
stand in the way
You didn't need a crystal ball to have predicted a season like this. And a Magic 8-ball wouldn't have provided any simple solutions.
Most involved with the Rainbow Wahine basketball program anticipated a rough year with six freshmen and two returning starters.
The Wahine finished 8-20, an uncommon reverse of what most UH teams have enjoyed under Hawaii coach Vince Goo. During Goo's 17 years as head coach, the Wahine had not gone consecutive seasons without 20 wins -- until now. Most retiring coaches hope their last time around is a glorious one, but Goo knew better when he rolled out the balls some six months ago.
"I knew it was going to be a tough run. We just wanted to get headed in the right direction," Goo said. "I think we did that academically. I think we got that as far as attitude when it comes to things like work ethic, loyalty, playing together as a team, supporting one another. I think we accomplished a lot of things aside from wins and losses."
Freshman Pam Tambini would agree.
"I was disappointed, but overall I knew that it was going to be a building season," Tambini said. "I was happy with what we had accomplished.
"By the end of the season, we had finally come together and got good chemistry. The chemistry and the bonding on and off the court really helped us a lot."
Perhaps that is the only highlight to come out of a losing season. Hawaii shouldn't have to work as hard at developing chemistry, but just about everything else will need work.
Hawaii struggled all season with consistency. By the time the Wahine suited up for their last game -- a 59-56 loss to Boise State in the play-in game of the Western Athletic Conference tournament -- Goo had used 11 different lineups. The shuffle gave several players some much-needed experience, but it didn't help the problem that plagued UH most of the season: no offense.
The Wahine were last in the conference in scoring (57.9 points) and Hawaii didn't have a true offensive threat. The inability to score, particularly during crucial stretches of games, contributed to eight losses that were decided by six points or fewer. Of Hawaii's 20 losses, 13 were by fewer than nine points.
"I think we played some pretty good defense over the year," Goo said. "We need to get better offensively. And that comes with individual work."
Goo guarantees that a number of returnees will be working in the offseason to improve their games.
Hawaii loses only senior April Atuaia. The 5-foot-10 guard endured a suspension and a reduction in playing time this year and leaves having had a solid if not spectacular career. Atuaia finished with 870 points, 514 rebounds, 71 steals and 233 assists.
More than 80 percent of the offense, led by Jade Abele, a first-team All-WAC performer, will be back next year. The junior had a breakout season and did everything for the Wahine, from scoring (14.2 points per game) and rebounding (6.1) to being a playmaker (60 assists).
Three freshmen led the team in scoring in the final eight games, which means Abele shouldn't shoulder the burden alone. Freshman Janevia Taylor proved adept as a point guard. Her streaky shooting has been inspiring and most conference coaches know Taylor will be a pest.
Tambini missed 11 games with a foot injury but came back strong to lead Hawaii in scoring twice. Freshman center Brittany Grice was a defensive presence in the paint and her offensive game will come around, too, with work.
The Wahine don't have many scholarships open and their lone recruit signed a letter of intent last fall. Saundra Cariaga, a 5-9 shooting guard from Kealakehe on the Big Island, will join a Wahine team determined not to see as many losses in a season again.
Most believe the worst is behind them.
"More than enough losses. Next year, we're going to be ready to come out and win plenty of games," Tambini said. "We knew it was going to be rough, but in the future we're going to be a great team, great players because of the experiences we went through this year. That's what is going to make us who we are in the future.
"We want to go all the way. We want to go to the NCAA Tournament. We want to make a name for Hawaii. We know how good we are. We know next year and our junior year, we're going to be a strong team with all the talent we have."
Goo doesn't doubt it. Given time, he believes, this bunch will thrive. One of the memories he'll cherish most is the attitude he saw daily.
"The thing I'll remember this team for is in 17 years (it was) the most resilient team we've ever had. They show up for practice every day and go hard," he said. "They show up for every game and compete, every game. That's surprising, knowing the record that we had coming off of losses and losing streaks. But they showed up every day ready to compete.
"It took awhile because they're young and we're thinking is this a fluke? Is this a one-time thing? As the season wound down, we got into February, they're still showing up, still competing hard. That's why if this group sticks together, they're going to be pretty good in the future."
The questionable part of the future is who will replace Goo. His retirement marks the end of a tenure that saw unprecedented success, athletically and academically. UH athletic director Herman Frazier has said he would like an up-and-coming coach in the position. Frazier has sent out letters to potential members of the search committee he would like to assemble. If the responses are timely, Frazier could announce the members of the committee early this week, said UH spokeswoman Lois Manin.
Frazier will be attending the men's Final Four in San Antonio and plans to make a stop in New Orleans, the site of the women's Final Four. The women's basketball coaching convention is held in conjunction with the NCAA women's championship.
Hawaii won't open next season with as many questions as it did last fall, but the biggest one looms over a program desperate to turn things around.
"The freshmen seem to think we're going to have the best season ever because we're fabulous and we're all going to come back bigger, badder than ever," Abele said. "I feel positive about next season. Obviously, we showed great improvement this year.
"It's definitely going to be tough. We're going to have to adjust to a lot of new things. A new coach brings different playing perspectives. Everything is going to change. Rules, everything."
Change that will hopefully be for the better.