Posted on: Wednesday, December 31, 2008
HOMEGROWN REPORT
Smith helping Pepperdine rebound from 10-18 season
By Kalani Takase
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Taylor Smith, a 2005 Kalaheo High graduate, recently scored a career-high 19 points to help Pepperdine beat UC Santa Barbara.
Pepperdine University photos
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Taylor Smith
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JACK IN THE BOX RAINBOW WAHINE CLASSIC
WHEN: Friday through Sunday WHERE: Stan Sheriff Center SCHEDULE: Pepperdine vs. Hawai'i, 3 p.m. Friday; Pepperdine vs. Colorado, 3 p.m. Saturday; Colorado vs. Hawai'i, 5 p.m. Sunday TICKETS: $7 adults, $5 seniors, students free PARKING: $3 TV: KFVE will broadcast both Hawai'i games RADIO: ESPN 1420 will carry both Hawai'i games
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Taylor Smith hopes to end her collegiate career the same way it began: With a conference title and trip to the Big Dance.
Smith, a senior wing for the Pepperdine women's basketball team, was a freshman when the Waves last won a West Coast Conference championship and qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2006.
The 2005 Kalaheo graduate from Kailua has helped Pepperdine to a 6-6 record. She has started all 12 games, averaging 6.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game.
Smith and the Waves arrived in Honolulu yesterday for this weekend's Jack in the Box Rainbow Wahine Classic, hosted by the University of Hawai'i at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Smith, primarily a reserve in her first three seasons, averaged 3.5 points and 2.2 rebounds per game prior to this season.
However, she has come on strong of late. In a 76-57 win over UC Santa Barbara on Dec. 14, Smith scored a career-high 19 points to lead the Waves to their first win over the Gauchos in 15 years.
In Pepperdine's last two games — a win over San Jose State and a loss to Kansas — Smith had 10 points with four rebounds and 13 points with six rebounds, respectively. She was the Waves' leading scorers against the Jayhawks.
Pepperdine struggled to a 10-18 record last season, finishing last in the WCC. This year, the Waves were picked to finish sixth by the league's coaches in the preseason.
Pepperdine plays Hawai'i (3-8) Friday and Colorado (5-4) Saturday. Both games start at 3 p.m.
MORE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
UNLV freshman wing Jamie Smith ('Iolani '08 of Kailua) had a double-double to lead the Rebels to a 71-61 win over UC Riverside Sunday. Smith shot 7-of-11 from the field to finish with a team-high 17 points and she grabbed 14 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass, to go along with four assists. Smith scored 14 points with seven rebounds, six steals and an assist in a 65-47 win over Utah State last night. UNLV (7-4) hosts Fresno State Friday.
Cal State Northridge sophomore forward Analee Viena-Lota (Kamehameha '07 of Honolulu) had 12 points, 11 rebounds, two steals, one assist and a block in Sunday's 74-64 win over Columbia. The Matadors (3-10) have won two straight and next play at Pacific Friday and at UC Davis Sunday.
Concordia (Calif.) sophomore guard Nicole Fu (Maryknoll '07 of Honolulu) had 12 points with four steals, three assists and two rebounds in Monday's 71-65 win over William Jewell. Last night Fu led the Eagles to a 70-55 win over Baker (Kan.) with a team-high 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals. The Eagles (9-1) host Azusa Pacific Saturday.
Menlo (Calif.) senior guard Kelci Fushikoshi (Lahainaluna '05) had 12 points, five rebounds and two steals in Monday's 62-49 win over Cal Tech. Freshman guard Bryanna Batts (St. Francis '08 of Kapolei) added four points, two boards, one assist and a steal for the Oaks. Fushikoshi had a game-high 27 points with four rebounds and a block in a 72-67 win over the South Dakota School of Mines last night.
Holy Names (Calif.) junior guard Larisa Nakasone (Roosevelt '06 of Honolulu) scored 13 points and sophomore guard Jamie-Leigh Ronolo (Moanalua '07 of Honolulu) added 11 in Monday's 80-74 win over South Dakota School of Mines.
Cal Lutheran senior guard Cheryl Lee (Maryknoll '05 of Honolulu) had five points, two rebounds and an assist in Monday's 58-50 loss to Manchester. The Regals (1-8) visit Chapman Sunday.
Puget Sound (Wash.) junior forward Natasha Ludwig (Waiakea '05 of Hilo) had four points, eight rebounds, three assists and a block in Saturday's 69-59 win over Luther. Freshman guard Brittney Basilio (Waialua '08) added two points for the Loggers. Ludwig had six points, three rebounds and two assists in Sunday's 73-54 loss to Illinois Wesleyan.
Willamette freshman guard Dayna Jandoc ('Iolani '08 of Honolulu) had five points, two rebounds and one steal in Monday's 88-46 loss at Concordia (Ore.). Freshman guard Tiana Abbley (Kamehameha '08 of Honolulu) had four rebounds, one steal and an assist for the Bearcats (1-5), who next play at Pacific Lutheran Friday. It was the first game for Willamette since the death of head coach Bruce Henderson on Dec. 8.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Lewis and Clark (Ore.) junior guard Tyler Tsukazaki (Maryknoll '06 of Honolulu) had three points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals in Saturday's 85-79 win over Christopher Newport (Va.). He had 11 points, one rebound and a steal in an 84-57 win over Old Westbury (N.Y.) Monday. The Pioneers (6-3) visit Puget Sound Friday and Pacific Lutheran Saturday.
Holy Names (Calif.) senior guard Aaron Kanno (Mililani '04) scored a team-high 20 points with five assists, five steals and two rebounds in an 85-72 win over Bethany (Kan.) Monday.
FOOTBALL
Oregon sophomore quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (Saint Louis '04) was named MVP of last night's Holiday Bowl in San Diego. Masoli was 18 of 32 passing for 258 yards with a touchdown and he also rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries in the 42-31 win over Oklahoma State.
California junior defensive lineman Tyson Alualu (Saint Louis '05) had three tackles and senior defensive lineman Mike Kane had two stops in Saturday's 24-17 win over Miami in the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco.
COMMITMENT
Punahou senior Maddison McKibbin has signed a letter of intent to play men's volleyball at the University of Southern California. McKibbin, who helped the Buffanblu to Division I state titles in 2006 and 2007, joins older brother Riley, a sophomore setter for the Trojans.
Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.
