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Thursday, July 20, 2000
Macfarlane
commits to Wahine
basketball
The all-state point guard
By Al Chase
from Punahou will
play for Hawaii
Star-BulletinMilia Macfarlane was so convinced she knew where she wanted to play college basketball, she couldn't wait to tell Vince Goo in person.
She faxed her decision yesterday to the University of Hawaii head women's basketball coach, who is on a mainland recruiting trip.
"I am more than 200 percent sure I want to play for Vince Goo and the Wahine,'' Macfarlane said.
Macfarlane will be able to officially sign a binding national letter of intent during November's early signing period.
Macfarlane, a 5-foot-7 point guard who will be a senior at Punahou this fall, was not heavily recruited. But there was interest from UCLA, Harvard, San Diego and UC Irvine.
She had made an unofficial visit to the UH campus in June and knew from then she wanted to be a Wahine.
Macfarlane said she had priorities when it came to selecting a school.
"I wanted to play for a coaching staff I would feel comfortable working for," Macfarlane said. "At UH, they value you as a person and not just as a basketball player. I admire this in their coaching staff.
"I didn't get that feeling from some of the other coaches," she added.
"Also, I wanted to play for someone who wanted me as their No. 1 pick, not two or three."
Macfarlane also received help from one of her Kalakaua Athletic Club coaches, former Wahine guard Nani Cockett.
On a trip to a basketball tournament in Oregon City, Cockett took Macfarlane aside and prepped her on what to ask of coaches who were recruiting her.
"We got into the whole UH thing.," said Macfarlane, a Star-Bulletin first-team All-State selection this year.
"Nani was a very big influence. She helped a lot,"
Macfarlane helped the Buffanblu reach the championship game of the 2000 state girls' basketball tournament and was an all-tournament pick.
"I just couldn't find a disadvantage about going to UH,'' she said. "The coaches are very strong on academics and I like that.
"And there has been a long legacy of great point guards in the Wahine program, so it's an honor to even be considered in that category."
Later this summer, Macfarlane will represent Hawaii in the Miss America Teen pageant in Florida.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
