Incoming Freshmen Freshen Lady Marauders’ Court Play

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Nadine Villarmia

Waipahu High’s head girls basketball coach Nadine Villarmia has grown used to making adjustments when it comes to fitting her schemes to her personnel.

“We’ve always been guard-oriented, and we’ve always liked to press, but we haven’t always been able to,” said Villarmia.

With four key returnees back from last year and the unexpected addition of a five-member incoming freshman class in the fold for the summer season, the veteran coach envisions pressuring teams as never before.

“These girls look like they can run,” she added of her incoming ninth-graders. “They’re probably the best freshman class we’ve had since I’ve been here. They’re athletic, they can see the floor, they can handle the ball.

“The thing they need to work on is shooting, but they have a lot more skill than other freshmen from other classes we’ve had. Three of them could make it (the varsity next season).”

Waipahu finished 3-9 last season in the OIA White West Conference and is playing in the Pearl City Summer League where they will face Castle, Kapolei,Aiea, Mililani and Leilehua in addition to the host Chargers during the next three weeks.

Aside from developing cohesiveness for next season between the veterans and newcomers, Villarmia is in a defense-first mode this summer.“We have to improve on our team defense. We didn’t have a very good defensive team last year. The potential is there for this group. We’ll see if everyone comes out and works together.”

On the offensive end, the Marauders held their own, led by senior-to-be Genivee Velasco, who was chosen as White West Conference Player of the Year in a vote of league coaches at season’s end last February. A point guard, Velasco will be counted on to set the tone for Waipahu.

“She brings energy,” Villarmia said. “She’s always around the ball. There’s always room for improvement, but she’s one of those natural players.”

Villarmia also sees seniors-to-be Shanice Julio and Simi Chapman and junior-tobe Geneva Balladares as impact players next season.At 6-3, Chapman brings size, but injuries have severely limited her playing time over the past two seasons. Julio started most of Waipahu’s games last year, while Balladares was a key reserve, whose role will likely expand next winter, according to Villarmia.

“Simi is good around the basket and as a rebounder - she can move well for her size. She’s just out of shape right now.

“Shanice got better by the end of last season, especially her shooting and rebounding. We’re looking at Geneva to be a shooter for us. Hopefully, that one year of varsity helps her next season.”

Waipahu is in action every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening for the next two weeks.