Hawaii women anxious
for first game

The Hawaii women's basketball team starts a new season tomorrow with a new coach, a new game philosophy and several new players.

Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic Where: Stan Sheriff Center Teams: California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan State, Santa Clara, Texas Christian, Utah TV: UH-Santa Clara game live, KFVE, Ch. 5 Radio: All UH games live, KKEA, 1420-AM Tickets: General admission. $8 adults, $7 seniors. UH students with valid ID, children age 4-18 free. Parking: $3. Schedule Tomorrow Georgia vs. Idaho, 10:30 a.m.; Texas Christian vs. California, 12:40 p.m.; Utah vs. Michigan State, 2:50 p.m.; Hawaii vs. Santa Clara, 5 p.m. Saturday Georgia-Idaho loser vs. TCU-California loser, 11 a.m., Hawaii vs. Utah or MSU, 1:10 p.m.; Santa Clara vs. Utah or MSU, 3:20 p.m.; Georgia-Idaho winner vs. TCU-California winner, 5:30 p.m. Sunday Seventh place, 11 a.m.; Fifth place, 1:10 p.m.; Third place, 3:20 p.m.; Championship, 5:30 p.m.

The time has come for the Rainbow Wahine to play for real. They open against Santa Clara in the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic at 5 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"I've been waiting for this game for a long time. This team has never been closer. That is a huge positive thing, the best thing we've got going," said senior co-captain Jade Abele.

"Santa Clara had a lot of new people last year, so they are like us. It will be a test for both teams. We're ready to see what we've got."

First-year coach Jim Bolla has exactly the same thought about the 19 players on the 2004-05 roster. The biggest challenge for the coaches during the preseason is to find the right combination of players to handle the different situations -- zone defense, pressing defense, man-to-man defense, inbound plays, etc. -- on the court.

"It's important for the kids to understand that last year is gone. We are 0-0. Let's start fresh. We have good teams, some nationally ranked, coming in here," said Bolla. "The only way to get better is to play good people."

Bolla named a tentative starting lineup of senior co-captain Milia Macfarlane at the point with sophomore Janevia Taylor and junior Amy Sanders at the other guard spots. Abele and sophomore Brittany Grice will man the front line.

"Trisha Nishimoto is playing well and close to Milia. Amber Lee (a forward/post) came to see us to find out what she needed to do to get better and has come on strong the last few practices," said Bolla.

"No one has a secure spot. We have more than enough people who want to play if someone falters."

Bolla has tried to instill in his players that everyone has a chance to score on every play, that there is a lot of flexibility in the offense. He wants his players to realize, with most games televised, that the TV timeouts mean a series of 4-minute games. He challenged his players to play hard for 4 minutes.

"I think they are capable of doing that. If we do that, we will be OK," said Bolla, who has given 50 percent of his offense and defense to the players.

"I like the new offense instead of set plays. The first option is to run. I feel comfortable pushing the ball up-court," said Nishimoto who just wants to do her best and have fun this year after a disappointing season a year ago.

Taylor, who will play more shooting guard than point guard to take advantage of her scoring touch, says the new offense "is cool."

Sanders said everything is coming along really well.

"I like the up-tempo game. I think it's going to be exciting and I think the fans will enjoy it," Sanders said.