High Post Hoops
Fansided

Big West 2019-20 season preview: another new champion?

By David Yapkowitz

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Faith Mimnaugh of the Cal Poly Mustangs eyes the play from the bench against the Loyola Marymount Lions in the first half of the home opening game at Gersten Pavilion on November 21, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Cal Poly won 87-79. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Faith Mimnaugh of the Cal Poly Mustangs eyes the play from the bench against the Loyola Marymount Lions in the first half of the home opening game at Gersten Pavilion on November 21, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Cal Poly won 87-79. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 10
Next
Mt. San Antonio College women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman during 77-56 victory over Compton in South Coast Conference game at Mt. SAC in Walnut, Calif. on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005. (Photo by Kirby Lee/WireImage)
Mt. San Antonio College women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman during 77-56 victory over Compton in South Coast Conference game at Mt. SAC in Walnut, Calif. on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005. (Photo by Kirby Lee/WireImage) /

Hawaii:

2018-19 record: 15-17, 10-6 Conference

Key Losses:

-Tia Kanoa

-Leah Salanoa

-Lahni Salanoa

Key Additions:

-Nae Nae Calhoun

-Makayla Edwards

-Barbara Rangel

Last season, Hawaii gave UC Davis all they could handle in the conference championship game before falling short. The orchestrator of last year’s team, Tia Kanoa, is gone as are key contributors Leah and Lahni Salanoa. But the Rainbow Wahine have some key returners that could make this an interesting season for them.

Senior guard Courtney Middap, Kanoa’s backcourt mate last season, will look to take over the reigns. She’s a knockdown shooter from three-point range and she can act as a playmaker too. Last season she was named as an All-Big West Honorable Mention and was voted by her teammates as the Most Improved Player.

She’ll be joined by returning starters Lauren Rewers and Amy Altwell. Rewers anchors the middle for the Rainbow Wahine. She can finish at the rim and she’s a capable interior defender. Altwell is a bit of a stretch big who can shoot from the outside to help spread the court. One other key returner is Myrrah Joseph. Joseph was named to the conference’s All-Freshman Team and saw her minutes and production increase during conference play. She may in line for a starting spot this season.

Hawaii also has some talented incoming players highlighted by point guard Nae Nae Calhoun. Calhoun is an explosive guard who can light it up from anywhere on the court. She’s quick and able to beat her defender off the dribble and get to the rim with ease. Forward MaKayla Edwards is coming off a strong senior year in which she and USC-bound Angel Jackson led Salesian Prep to an upset playoff win over Stanford-bound Haley Jones and Archbishop Mitty. Edwards is good finisher in the paint and can shoot well.

The Rainbow Wahine will also look to incoming JuCo transfer Barbara Rangel to add some frontcourt depth. Rangel is arriving from Moorpark Community College where she averaged a double-double and was a solid post presence.

Home/Big West