Most of the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s prime-time players are seniors entering their second year with the program. The fact they’re getting with the program better than Year 1 has women’s basketball coach David Kaneshiro excited.
The Lady Vulcans tip off their season Wednesday, but in Kaneshiro’s eyes they’ve already gained one small victory. During a recent team meeting, the returning players did most of the talking, and the fifth-year coach liked what he heard.
“We talked about goals and everyone went around the room and talked about expectations,” Kaneshiro said. “We talked about working hard for our teammates. It wasn’t about wins and losses.
“If you play for one another and pay attention to detail, the record will take care of itself.”
At times last season, the Lady Vulcans relied on one player, Kamie Imai, who could do a little bit of everything on the court.
Led by eight seniors, they’ll ride a bit differently this season.
“I don’t know that we have that one player like (Imai),” Kaneshiro said, “but we’re not missing something that we can’t overcome.
“If you compare us from Nov. 18 from last year to Nov. 18 this year, there is no question we’re further along now. If we continue to improve, I think that we’re going to have a good year.”
With three weeks to work out the kinks after an exhibition loss to the University of Hawaii, the Vulcans will roll out five senior starters when they host Minot State of North Dakota at 6 p.m. Wednesday at their gym.
Imai, a double-digit scorer who led the team in most statistical categories — rebounds, assists, steals, blocks — as the Vulcans finished 9-15 and reached the Pacific West Conference postseason for the second consecutive campaign, will surely be missed.
But the potential for dynamic backcourt play exists with seniors Kirstie Williams, one of the PacWest’s top shooters, and point guard Jordan Kealoha. Williams led the Vulcans in scoring at 11.7 points per game on the strength of her 40.3 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Kealoha was a former Division I player at Sacramento State, and if Kaneshiro had to nitpick about her first season in Division II it’d be her 20.3 shooting percentage.
Beyond that, Kealoha possesses all the attributes he’s looking for in a floor general, including the ability to break down a defense.
“I think she’s one of our hardest workers day in and day out,” Kaneshiro said. “She’s got a very positive attitude, especially toward others, which is just what you want in your leader.”
Listed as a 5-foot-8 guard, CC Rode gave the Vulcans some offense last season, and she’s earned a starting spot again largely because of her abilities on the defensive end of the floor.
Inside, 5-11 center McKenzie Mangino started all 24 games last season, nearly averaging double figures in scoring (9.5) while ranking second in rebounds. Kaneshiro said Mangino has improved her conditioning, and he also likes the increased mobility he’s seen from 5-11 forward Hayley Reynolds (5.6 points per game), one of the team’s most physical players.
A third option down low is 6-0 senior forward Danielle Kooyman, who saw action in 23 games last season.
“They are all more in command of how we want to defend,” Kaneshiro said. “This is their senior year, and they want to work hard.”
The Vulcans typically bring 10 players on road trips, and practices have been all the more competitive with as many as 12 players in the mix, including true freshman Aliyah Pana, a Hilo High graduate.
Backup point guard Alexa Jacobs showed flashes as a freshman before injuring her knee and could be paired at times this season with Kealoha, while senior guard Whitney Edens saw part-time starting duties last season and offers versatility.
The eighth senior is Hilo High graduate Chelsey Santos, and another local product who will see playing time is Waiakea graduate Tricia Amuimuia. Santos, a guard, played in 18 games last season, while Amuimuia, a sophomore forward, got into nine games.
“Chelsey has stepped up and has become more vocal,” Kaneshiro said. “Tricia was the most improved player on the team last year, and we might be able to say the same thing about her this year.”