Hawaii Rainbow Wahine basketball coach Vince Goo had to fill two open positions when practice began in October. Point guard among
questions as Wahine openBy Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comStarting point guard Jana Gabrielova and wing Karena Greeny had used up their eligibility. April Atuaia was a question mark coming off knee surgery and another wing transferred.
The point-guard question is closer to being answered going into tomorrow's 1 p.m. season opener against UCLA in the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort Classic. Senior Michelle Gabriel, sophomore Milia Macfarlane and freshman Trisha Nishimoto contended for the starting job.
"It was real close, but I think Michelle is leading with Milia right behind and Trisha next," Goo said.
Gabriel, who walked on as a freshman and earned a scholarship as a sophomore, has played in 70 games coming off the bench the past three seasons.
"Trisha has picked up the offense and defense quickly," Goo said. "In fact, all five freshmen have picked up things really quick. This is probably the best freshman group we've ever had as far as picking up the offense and defense."
The other newcomers are recruits Penny Jones, a 6-foot-2 forward, Callie Spooner, a 6-3 center, and Amy Sanders, a 5-11 wing, and walk-on Brittney Aiwohi, a 5-10 wing from Sacred Hearts.
Atuaia, a 5-10 off-guard or wing, has recovered from arthroscopic surgery last month that cleaned out scar tissue from her left knee. Jade Abele, a 6-0 sophomore who played wing and forward last year, is strictly a wing this year and has the ability to hit 3-pointers.
The 5-11 Sanders, considered the best wing player in California last year by the UH coaches, and Aiwohi join in the mix.
"At this point, we may have two people start one game, a different combination the next and another for the next," Goo said. "At the wing position we are not set right now. We're waiting for someone to move ahead or someone to fall back.
"There is not a lot of difference in the 2 and 3 positions other than who we send out to defend an opponent. We like our wings to be shooting guards and small forwards."
Christen Roper, at 6-5, is the starting center. Spooner backs up UH's all-time leading shot blocker.
Natasha Allen, at 6-2, starts at power forward. Julia Washington, a 6-0 junior, and the 6-2 Jones will spell Allen. Kim Willoughby adds her talents to the front line when the Wahine volleyball season is done.
Goo is confident Gabriel can run the offense, but does not expect as much scoring from the Maryknoll graduate as Gabrielova provided the past two seasons.
"Allen and Roper will score for us," Goo said. "We need to score from the perimeter to keep defenses honest. Right now, we don't see anyone who will do it (score from the perimeter) night after night, but we have a group who can and the coaches will be looking for the hot hand."
The Hawaii bench is young, but Goo said the reserves have to produce some in games and give the team some good minutes while they try to hold their own. It is going to be on-the-job training.
"It's a group that has learned fast, so we have a good feeling about them contributing," Goo said.
As for team chemistry, Goo is optimistic, but guarded.
"I have a good feel, but you never know how the cake comes out until you take it out of the oven, and that's at the end of the season," said Goo, entering his 16th coaching campaign for the Wahine.
"Like any other first game, we have no film and must adjust during the game. Things get a little better after that because we'll have a chance to see Sacramento State."
The Hornets play UCLA at 2 p.m. Sunday, then take on UH at 7 p.m. on Monday.
Note: Former Wahine basketball players Hedy Liu and Karena Greeny are the team managers this season.
UH Athletics
