Posted on: Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Sensley wants to raise level of play
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
No debate about it, Julian Sensley is the leading candidate to lead the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team this season.
"I think everybody knows what a talent Julian Sensley is," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "He kind of went with the flow last year because he was new. This year he has an opportunity to step it up and use even more of his talent."
The 2004-05 Rainbow Warriors will make their public debut dressed as superheroes late Friday night. After the introductions, there will be a 3-point shootout and slam dunk contest, and then the scrimmage.
WHAT: Introduction of University of Hawai'i men's and women's basketball teams
WHERE: Stan Sheriff Center WHEN: Friday. Carnival games and entertainment start at 8 p.m.; introduction of players will begin around midnight. Three-point shootout, slam dunk contest and intrasquad scrimmages will follow introductions. ADMISSION: Free Mayoral candidates Duke Bainum and Mufi Hannemann will be guest coaches for the scrimmage.
Bainum will coach the White squad with UH assistant Bob Burke; Hannemann will coach the Green squad with UH associate coach Jackson Wheeler.
Bainum and Burke took Sensley with the first overall pick. Shooting guard recruit Matt Gibson was the first pick by Hannemann and Wheeler.
Sensley, a 6-foot-9 junior forward, averaged 12.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game last season. The former Kalaheo High standout is the only returning starter from last season's 21-12 team.
"We lost a lot from last year, but I think we have more depth with the new guys this year," Sensley said. "For my part, I just want to be more consistent."
Sensley and Wallace will be in Reno, Nev., tomorrow for the Western Athletic Conference Media Day. Each of the conference's 10 head coaches could bring one player to Reno.
"I have no idea what to expect from this team," Wallace said. "One (preseason) magazine picked us second in the WAC, and another picked us seventh. We have a lot of new faces so we have a lot of work to do."
White: Julian Sensley, Milos Zivanovic, Deonte Tatum, Bobby Nash, Jake Sottos, Ryan Schmidt, Brandon Matano, Nicholas Milan. Green: Matt Gibson, Matt Gipson, Jeff Blackett, Vaidotas Peciukas, Chris Botez, Kris Groce, Seth Caine, Kenny Kelly.
The Hawai'i women's team will also play an intrasquad scrimmage during the Midnight Ohana.
Senior forward Jade Abele was the No. 1 overall selection for the scrimmage.
The Rainbow Wahine players will also dress up as super heroes for their introductions.
It will also be the season debut for new head coach Jim Bolla. The rosters:
White: Jade Abele, Milia Macfarlane, Callie Spooner, Pam Tambini, Amber Lee, Brittney Aiwohi, Shannon Nishi, Janevia Taylor.
Green: Tanya Smith, Brittany Grice, Dalia Solia, Saundra Cariaga, Trisha Nishimoto, Amy Kotani, Bryony Crouch, Amy Sanders.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
Sensley was the No. 1 pick yesterday during a draft for the intrasquad scrimmage that will highlight Friday's Midnight Ohana at the Stan Sheriff Center.
"All summer, I was putting in extra work; lifting and shooting every day in the gym," Sensley said. "I kind of want to step up and be a leader this year."
MIDNIGHT OHANA
The intrasquad rosters:
Rainbow Wahine will also play at midnight
