Salanoa shows off shooting touch

Although Lahni Salanoa counts among the returnees to the Rainbow Wahine basketball team, Friday’s Green and White scrimmage may have represented the sophomore’s true introduction.

Last year’s scrimmage marked the start of a frustrating freshman season for Salanoa. She suffered a deep cut on her hand during the scrimmage that set her back. A foot injury kept her out of the first seven games and she struggled to gain traction the rest of the way while averaging 4.8 minutes in 12 appearances while posting season totals of 13 points and nine rebounds.

In UH’s public debut on Friday, Salanoa knocked down a deep 3-pointer from the top on her first attempt and went on to drain three more from long range in a 16-point performance that helped the Green erase a 12-point deficit to take a 31-30 lead late in the scrimmage.

The White, led the Sarah Toeaina’s game-high 22 points, battled back to pull out a 39-35 win, and Salanoa’s outing was an encouraging sign three weeks into preseason practice with three to go to the Nov. 11 opener at USC.

“It’s a lot of motivation, because last year my injuries me from playing … this year I know I have a bigger role,” Salanoa said.

After Salanoa’s outside shooting display, UH coach Laura Beeman is looking for her to further develop other facets of her game.

“If we can get her to be able put the ball on the floor and attack under control, she’ll be a really difficult matchup because she’s such a strong girl,” Beeman said. “We definitely need her to continue to grow in that position, stay healthy, get on the boards a little bit more.”

Salanoa teamed with her twin sister, Leah, on the Green roster, and Leah found Lahni for assists on a couple of the 3-pointers.

“Ever since we started, Leah always knew where I was, I always knew where Leah was,” Lahni said. “So it’s good to get back playing with my sister.”

As might be expected, the returnees took the leading roles in the scrimmage with senior Briana Harris adding 14 points and six rebounds for the Green.

As for points of emphasis when the Wahine return to practice on Monday, defense and rebounding will likely be high on the list.

“The biggest challenge for us is we’re just so far behind the gun defensively and we’re not a really physical team on the boards,” Beeman said, “and that’s what people are used to seeing from us, a lot of physical play defensively and a lot of physical play on the boards. As freshmen it’s hard to do that. It’s going to take us a little bit of time.”

UH will have two days of practice before taking on UH Hilo in an exhibition game on Wednesday at the Sheriff Center. Freshman forward Keleah-Aiko Koloi suffered a knee injury during the scrimmage and will likely miss the exhibition. Beeman said Makenna Woodfolk, another freshman forward, could be available after sitting out the scrimmage.

“We have to be really smart with the way we practice and keep them healthy,” Beeman said.

White 39, Green 35
At Stan Sheriff Center
Green 12 23 — 35
White 22 17 — 39

GREEN—Briana Harris 14, Leah Salanoa 1, Lahni Salanoa 16, Julissa Tago 4, Taylor Donohue 0, Tia Kanoa 0.
WHITE—Sarah Toeaina 22, Rachel Odumu 5, Olivia Crawford 7, Keleah-Aiko Koloi 1, Adrienne Darden 2, Tia Kanoa 2.
3-Point goals—Green 4 (La. Salanoa 4), White 2 (Odumu, Crawford).