Hawaii women’s basketball: Unfinished business as 2019-20 full practices begin
March memories were bitter and sweet at the same time for Myrrah Joseph. The UH women’s basketball forward tasted the composite all offseason.
Coming as close as the Rainbow Wahine did without making the NCAA tournament will do that. Upstart UH was about a quarter away from stunning heavily favored UC Davis in the Big West championship game at the Honda Center before losing the lead and the game, 58-50.
The Rainbow Wahine got to unleash that feeling in the refurbished Gym 2 on Wednesday in the first full practice of 2019-20. There wasn’t much in the way of wasted energy.
“That championship game of a conference tournament was bittersweet. For all of us returning, that’s been our motivating mark,” Joseph said. “That’s just been the bottom line. Our seniors are not leaving this year without a ring. That’s been our motivation to pushing ourselves to get better.
“We’ve been implementing that hard work ethic into our newbies and making it contagious to the whole team.”
UH brought in one of the most comprehensive recruiting classes of Laura Beeman’s eight years as coach. There are five newcomers: freshmen Makayla Edwards, Olivia Davies, Kasey Neubert and Nae Nae Calhoun, and junior college transfer Barbara Rangel.
Remarked Beeman, “This team, they like each other in a different way. They don’t just get along, but they push each other.
“This group could be something special. It’s really fun to sit back and watched them.”
A few players were sidelined from fullcourt action as they recover from ailments. The Wahine were still able to run a 5-on-5 fullcourt by pulling in an assistant coach or two.
“We’ve been working all summer long, and for our first official practice to finally be here felt really good,” Joseph said. “I think everyone wanted to put their best foot forward today. You could see that on the court. We’re all really excited for the season because we know what we can do.”
What UH (15-17, 10-6 Big West) did last year was compile an impressive late-season run to seize the No. 2 seed in the Big West tournament, despite the loss of forward Makenna Woodfolk late in the season. The Wahine won a semifinal game over UC Riverside and played admirably in the final. The Wahine earned an automatic invitation to the WNIT, where they lost in the first round at Saint Mary’s.
UH lost four graduated seniors from that team: All-Big West second-team point guard Tia Kanoa, the prolific 3-point-shooting Salanoa twins Leah and Lahni, and defensive guard Rachel Odumu.
Senior guard Courtney Middap is the team’s leading returning scorer at 8.2 per game (35% 3FGs). Guard Julissa Tago supplied 5.3 as a junior and Joseph came on strong late in the season to average 4.9 on 50.4% shooting as a true freshman.
“I think it put a real hunger and fire in the returning players, and I think the kids coming in watched that game and know how close we were and know there are people on this roster who have been there,” Beeman said. “They know we have some unfinished business. We’re not looking at that right now, we’re looking at getting better and committing to our process. But when the right time comes, they’re gong to be ready for that moment, and that’s what we want.”
UH opens the season Nov. 5 at home against San Diego State. There is an Oct. 29 exhibition against Hawaii Pacific at the Stan Sheriff Center.
| # | Name | POS | HT | YR | Hometown | Pvs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Julissa Tago | G | 5-9 | Sr. | Medford, Ore. | South Medford HS |
| 2 | Courtney Middap | G | 5-10 | Sr. | Wynyard, Tasmania, Australia | Templestowe College |
| 3 | Makayla Edwards | F | 5-10 | Fr. | Vallejo, Calif. | Salesian College Prep |
| 4 | Savannah Reier | G | 5-7 | Sr. | Tuscaloosa, Ala. | Shelton State Community College |
| 5 | Myrrah Joseph | F | 5-10 | So. | Carson, Calif. | Carson HS |
| 11 | Olivia Davies | F | 5-9 | Fr. | Anchorage, Ak. | Matsu Career Tech |
| 14 | Lauren Rewers | C | 6-4 | Jr. | Coeur D'Alene, Idaho | Lake City HS |
| 15 | Jadynn Alexander | G | 5-10 | Jr. | Monroe, Wash. | Monroe HS |
| 21 | Kasey Neubert | F | 6-1 | Fr. | Elizabeth, Colo. | Highlands Ranch HS |
| 22 | Lamarria Johnson | G | 5-8 | R-Fr. | Chicago | Bogan HS |
| 24 | Nae Nae Calhoun | G | 5-5 | Fr. | Riverside, Calif. | John W North HS |
| 25 | Amy Atwell | F | 6-0 | R-Jr. | South Perth, Australia | Penrhos College |
| 44 | Barbara Rangel | C | 6-2 | Jr. | Ventura, Calif. | Moorpark College |
| Head coach: Laura Beeman | ||||||
| Assistant coach: Alex Delanian | ||||||
| Assistant coach: Khalilah Mitchell | ||||||
| Assistant coach: Paris Johnson | ||||||
| Director of operations: Teneshia Ruff | ||||||
That’s the type of underdog, chip-on-the-shoulder type mindset I wish the mens team had. Unfinished business is the theme for the season, so hopefully the Wahine can pull-through this year. Go bows!!!
Stated in the article Laura Beeman has brought in the “most comprehensive recruiting class” in her eight years. Don’t know what it means, but maybe they can do what the first-year Wahine volleyball team have done – be a team ready to return at the top in the Big West.
One of the most, but yes. They feel like they’ve covered a lot of bases/needs with the group they brought in.
I’m still concern that the team is quite undersized at some positions. Forwards are 5-9 or 5-10. Our post players are not agile enough. Big and strong but not fleet of foot.
I hope this team has basketball smarts, play well as a team and can shoot lights out.
We definitely missed McKenna as she has size, athleticism and hops. She is somebody that can go and get the ball. Hoping Kasey can be that player.
Wish the ladies good luck. I will be at the SSC supporting them 100%.
Well, with last year, being the end of Morgan Bertsch and Channon Fluker, it’s not safe to say that we’re out of the clear. CSUN head coach Jason Flowers probably will have some tricks up his sleeve with the Matador squad, and Hawaii’s been snared most of the time with CSUN. UC Davis does have a 6’5″ freshman and a 6’6″ transfer (Whom in which I would imagine is redshirting due to NCAA rules), but could be a problem if they don’t play their cards right.
On the surface, this does seem like a weird situation for Coach B to put herself in for the 2019-20 season, especially because last season, they hit a couple rough patches, including losing Woodfolk late in the season, but the only concern would be who could make up the numbers Woodfolk left behind?
Middap could be a good reliable source, but the concern would be her consistency. She and Atwell have been both hot and cold last year, and they need someone who can be consistent with scoring. Each of the games in the BWC, it’s been one person here and the next person there. The other thing that is of concern is Tago. She’s been in and out of the lineup due to a sore shoulder. You wonder how healthy is her shoulder up until now. Of course, with Reier back, it’s up to her to see if she can be a leader for the team as the PG. One thing I will say is that Joseph’s had her share of bumps, but I’m wanting to see her take more chances attacking the paint. She has that kind of capability to do so, sort of James Harden-esque, if you will. She’s not afraid to challenge tall players despite her stature at 5’10” and will not be afraid to attack up close to get some points when the team needs it. Even with Jadynn Alexander, her demeanor is what attracts my attention. She makes hustle plays when the team needs it when not giving up a possession. I’m curious to see if she, like Joseph, can attack the bucket for points. She did have her highlights, and knowing her, the team could rely on her when wanting to make a hustle play or two. Of course, now with the addition of Rangel, guess now they can create a revolving door for Rewers to be a backup post to bring in terms of size. Neubert for me, probably will the X-Factor. She’s 6’1″, but can she bring the toughness that Woodfolk left behind? That’s what this comes down to.
This is not only about the next woman up, but it’s about to see if they can play a complete 4 quarters of basketball to win. That’s what I think this season will come down to. Hopefully, they can break the losing season streak that they’ve gone through because it’s been 3 seasons that this has been the case (Despite last year winning 2nd in the conference and making it to the WNIT). They know they have the fire to do so, and now is the time to see how much of an impact they will bring into the 2019-20 season. Go get em, girls!