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Wahine basketball schedule announced

Three preseason tournaments at the Stan Sheriff Center highlight the 2004-2005 Rainbow Wahine basketball schedule.

The season begins with the 26th annual Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic Nov. 26-28, featuring 2004 NCAA Tournament teams Michigan State, TCU, and Georgia, who was one win short of reaching the Final Four.

The Wahine play two more tournaments at home before opening their WAC season Dec. 30 at home against Fresno State, followed by a New Year's Day matchup with Nevada.

The Wahine finish their home schedule with a Feb. 26 contest against Rice before finishing out the season on the road at Nevada and Fresno State. The WAC tournament will be in Reno, Nev., March 9-13.

First-year head coach Jim Bolla will look to improve on last year's 6-20 overall record. The Wahine return 12 letter winners from last year's team, including All-WAC performers Jade Abele and Janevia Taylor.

12 local surfers advance to nationals

Lani Hunter, Mason Ho, Derek Wong and Hizon Lin Kee won their respective age divisions of the Rip Curl Groomsearch this weekend at Kewalos on Oahu's south shore.

This was the fourth stop of the Rip Curl Groomsearch and the only one in Hawaii. The top three finalists in each division advances to the national final in California in November.

Joining the four division winners in November's final are Ashley Hunter and Marissa Matsusaka in the girls 16 & under division, Tory Meister and Lance Grurer in the boys 16 & under, Alex Smith and Clay Marzo in the boys 14 & under, and Ezekiel Lau and Keanu Asing in the 12 & under division.

Sailing season ends Saturday

The Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association concludes its season Saturday with the Kendall Pacific Challenge, a coastal race from Nawiliwili to Waimea on Kauai.

A dozen 6-man sailing canoes and six 4-man sailing canoes will leave the harbor at 10 a.m. The first finishers are expected around 3 p.m., arriving at the beach fronting the Waimea Plantation Cottages.

The HSCA season consists of 10 races that traverse the Hawaiian chain, beginning on the Big Island and concluding on Kauai. For more information, contact Terry Galpin at 247-3559. The web site is www.hsca.biz

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