HAWAII GROWN REPORT
COURTESY WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Shanna-Lei Dacanay has started every game so far for Washington after coming off the bench in 28 games last year.
|
|
Rookie no more
Dacanay was a freshman All-American and her conference's top newcomer -- and now she's settled in at Washington U.
Shanna-Lei Dacanay was caught off guard last spring when Washington University at St. Louis head coach Nancy Fahey was announcing the league awards to the Bears women's basketball team.
"I remember the day Coach told the team. She named all the UAA (University Athletic Association) honorees. Then she said there was one more thing, that I was the UAA Rookie of the Year," said Dacanay, also an all-conference honorable mention selection.
"It was a complete surprise. I wasn't expecting it and I feel fortunate for that."
The 5-foot-3 Punahou (2005) graduate was the first guard off the bench for the Bears who won the UAA regular-season title with a 13-1 mark. They were 25-3 overall after being eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament.
Dacanay averaged 6.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals a game, and had a 1.90 to 1.0 assists to turnover ratio.
"I feel like now I won't be the one they don't know about," Dacanay said.
"The award comes with a greater responsibility, but I'm not putting any more pressure on myself. I'm just going to play the way I always do and let things happen."
Dacanay earned another honor when she was named to the D-III News Freshman All-America team.
Fahey had watched tape of Dacanay sent to colleges by Punahou coach Mike Taylor.
"I liked her all-around ability. She can really break down defenses off the dribble," Fahey said. "Shanna-Lei saw a lot of action last year and she gained confidence as the year progressed."
Dacanay's only official recruiting visit was to the Bears' campus. She also applied to several California schools and would have gone to Stanford strictly as a student had she gained early acceptance.
"Washington U. is not very well known among a lot of people and not many apply. It is hidden gem, very challenging academically," Dacanay said.
"On my trip, I really didn't like the school at all. I didn't feel comfortable in the new culture."
However, there were positives for Dacanay on her October visit during her senior year.
"I thought the campus was beautiful, the coaches were excellent and the girls on the team who showed me around were genuine," Dacanay said.
When it came to making her final choice, Dacanay decided to return to St. Louis because Washington had the best combination of athletics and academics.
Still, there was a period of transition that tested Dacanay in her new community.
"I was very far from home and none of my high school classmates were near me," Dacanay said. "I'm family orientated and just being on my own was hard. It is hard when you don't know anyone. What helped me was to have a built in family in the basketball team. Eventually I branched out and met some other people."
Fahey recognized the trials Dacanay was experiencing and gave her an extra day at home during the short Christmas break.
"I think she felt at home with basketball. You put a court in Hawaii and one in St. Louis and they are the same," Fahey said. "She was surrounded by people with the same interest. I think she grew a lot last year."
Always a point guard, Fahey plans to run Dacanay at the two spot as well this season.
"We want to take advantage of her scoring ability," Fahey said. "Defensively, she is quick and puts a lot of pressure on people fullcourt. People love to watch her play."
The move has been beneficial. Dacanay has started every game for the 4-3 Bears and is the team's second-leading scorer with an 11.6 average. She also has the most assists (23) and steals (13).
Dacanay, who is playing in the same type of up-tempo offense she did at Punahou, likes the idea of playing the two spot.
"I think when I'm at the two it gives me more perspective of what the one (point guard) is doing," Dacanay said.
For whatever reason, when Dacanay connected on a 3-pointer last year, the Bears announcer, Bruce Veach, let the crowd know basket was by, "Shanna-LEE for three."
When asked about this, Dacanay just laughed.
"I guess he just likes the sound of it. I think it is funny. It doesn't bother me," she said.
A member of state championship teams her sophomore and senior seasons, and on Punahou's runner-up team as a junior, Dacanay had to make adjustments for college ball.
"It is the mental aspect. We prepare for opponents more seriously than we did in high school," Dacanay said. "You have to study for the games. It is definitely more involved.
"At the college level everyone can shoot and score and make the open shot. You can't rely on people missing. You have to play defense."
"I'm still trying to get her to be more vocal," Fahey said.
Dacanay said, "That is something she gets on me a lot of times, but it is not in my nature to talk."
There are times though when she hopes her teammates talk. Dacanay often finds herself guarding taller opponents who use back picks to elude her or who try to post her up. In those situations, she needs her teammates' help.
Dacanay is majoring in civil engineering.