How to improve on a 27-6 record, the best in school history? Rainbows start working
toward WAC 3-peatBy Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletinBreak it down and start building again.
That's what the Hawaii basketball team has been doing this week, the Rainbows' first official seven days of practice. They moved from sweaty Gym II to an unairconditioned Stan Sheriff Center and dreamed of moving beyond the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
"We have a good nucleus back, so it helps the new guys' transition a lot easier," said senior guard Mark Campbell. "Everyone's working real hard. We're right on pace.
"We've got a lot of talent, which is a good problem. There are no weaknesses that I can see. We want to keep progressing, keep building to win another WAC championship."
The Rainbows return four starters from last year's team that fell to Xavier in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Of the six newcomers on the roster, two (Jason Carter and Ramsey Williams) are pure guards and two (Michael Kuebler and Vaidotas Peciukas) can either play shooting guard or small forward.
"We've got good talent," said head coach Riley Wallace. "We've just got to figure out who goes where. I think we're further along at this point than we were last year. We have so many guys with a lot of experience that we're able to mix and match the groups so we can get into our offense a little quicker.
"This team is smart and the new guys are quick learners. Our freshman (walk-on forward Ikaika Alama-Francis) has got the offense down already. The hustle is good and everyone is putting forth the effort."
The increase in court speed is obvious, particularly the quickness of Carter and Williams.
"We just have to use it the right way," said Campbell. "As Coach (Bob) Burke says, 'Run with a purpose.' "
While the Rainbows are looking forward to this season, Hawaii is already looking ahead to 2003-04. They've received a verbal commitment from Jeff Blackett, a 6-foot-8 sophomore forward playing for Salt Lake Community College.
Blackett, 22, will have two seasons of eligibility. He and new bride Lindsey, a freshman outside hitter on the SLCC women's volleyball team, visited Hawaii last weekend and took in Midnight Ohana.
Hawaii is apparently also looking at another SLCC player, Lindsey Blackett's brother, Dan Henry, a 6-5 freshman guard.
Blackett was one of two recruits who visited last weekend. The other is 6-2 point guard Logan Lee, a freshman at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. Hawaii's biggest competition for his services reportedly is South Alabama.
Blackett's commitment leaves Hawaii with three scholarships for next season. The official letter of intent signing period is Nov. 13-20.
"If they're good enough, we'd like to get them early," Wallace said.
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