The 12 girls basketball players who will participate in a prestigious Mainland tournament next month courtesy of Mayor Mufi Hannemann and the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Foundation held their first practice yesterday at Iolani gym.

The team, announced to the public for the first time, will play before hundreds of college coaches in the Adidas Fall Finish Tournament, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, in Indianapolis.

Comprising the Hawai'i team are: Jazzmin Awa-Williams (Konawaena), Nicole Fu (Maryknoll), Courtney Gaddis (La Pietra), Keisha Kanekoa (Honoka'a), Shaena-Lyn Kuehu (Punahou), Shawna-Lei Kuehu (Punahou), Ashley Medcalf (Christian Academy), Iwa Rodrigues (Roosevelt), Chelsie Sato (McKinley), Jamie Smith (Iolani), Vicky Tagalicod (Hilo) and Ana Viena-Lota (Kamehameha).

Selections were made after the team's coach, Dana Takahara-Dias, collected ballots submitted by daily newspaper sports reporters from O'ahu, the Big Island and Kaua'i.

The Advertiser's ballot was submitted after consultation with five different girls basketball "insiders," including state tournament coaches and those who run or assist in popular clinics. Kalaheo senior Shanadee Canon, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's leading scorer last season, was listed on The Advertiser's ballot but did not garner enough votes to make the final roster.

Shawna-Lei Kuehu is The Advertiser's reigning All-State Player of the Year, and Kanekoa and Awa-Williams also are returning All-State first-team selections. Juniors Shaena-Lyn Kuehu, Rodrigues and Smith were named to the Advertiser's All-State second team last season, as was Tagalicod, a sophomore.

Mayor Hannemann is serving as the team's "general manager," and proceeds from his annual girls basketball "Jamboree" go toward gender equity funds, including the HHSAA Foundation. The foundation will pay for the Fall Finish's $750 entry fee and assist in the players' travel costs.