For Khalilah Mitchell, the most challenging part of ascending from assistant to head coach of Hawaii women’s basketball team is having to let go — a little.
For seven seasons, Mitchell served on the staff of Laura Beeman, who decided to step away in late March after 14 seasons in charge.
During that time, Mitchell was the favorite assistant players went to, and confided in, at any moment of any day.
The door to her office is still wide open, but the reality of the situation is as a head coach. The responsibilities are endless.
“First of all, players first,” Mitchell said before the team practiced yesterday in Gym 2. “But I didn’t realize as head coach that (relationships) change. I was not prepared for that at all. Now I have to set up meetings to get my girls just to come into the office to talk to me. Not wanting to let go of those relationships is probably the biggest transition for me. I want to still hold them so tight, but I have to let go. I have to delegate and prioritize a little bit differently.”
The Rainbow Wahine ended their most recent 14-year run in the Big West Conference with three titles, four regular-season championships and nine postseason appearances, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament.
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With a new head coach, the team moves into the Mountain West Conference with eight returnees and 12 total players.
Wanting to push the tempo on offense, Mitchell said the players’ cardio will be tested in camp over the next month.
“It gives everybody an opportunity to play and to perform,” Mitchell said. “It makes everybody’s tasks that much bigger. I look at the girls like a puzzle — every piece is so vital to complete this puzzle that we have. I think with them expanding their role, with less people, I just think it makes it that much more better.”
The returnees include Bailey Flavell, who was last season’s Big West Freshman of the Year and the returning Big West Sixth of the Year in 6-foot-5 post Ritorya Tamilo.
Flavell, a 5-foot-10 sophomore guard, got the chance to compete with the New Zealand national team just months after setting the UH freshman scoring record with 415 points in 33 starts.
“I think it’s been like pretty similar,” Flavell said of the transition from Beeman to Mitchell. “I think everyone was adjusting over the spring. (Mitchell) is super more busy now, even more busy than she was, but I still make time to go see her during the day and go check in on her and try to keep our relationship.”
Flavell, who averaged 12.6 points per game last season, was the fifth freshman in program history and first in 15 years to lead the team in scoring after turning it on the second half of the season.
“I’m definitely a lot more prepared. I know what to expect,” Flavell said of this season. “I have a college season under my belt, but I think this year is going to have its challenges. We’re moving conference to the Mountain West and that in itself is going to be a big challenge but again, super excited for the season.”
Tamilo, who developed into her bench role last season to become a dominant presence in the 16-18 minutes she averaged off the bench, is one of six upperclassmen.
“Hopefully this season I’m able to level up even more,” Tamilo said. “So that’s what I’m working toward. That’s the goal I’m giving myself.”
Tamilo spent the entire summer in Hawaii working with associate coach Derrick Florence.
She says she feels ready to handle all of the running likely to come during camp.
“Do I look ready?” she responded when asked by the media. When the reply was a unanimous yes, she said, “that is what I’m going to keep telling myself.”
Mitchell said she put together a challenging schedule for the season, but UH has not released any details.
‘Iolani alumna Jodi Lefotu returns for a fifth year and is one of two seniors along with Jade Peacock.
Taryn Bond, a 5-foot-9 freshman guard and the sister of sophomore Teyahna Bond, is one of four newcomers.
| NO. | NAME | HT. | CL. | POS. | HOMETOWN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liz Udeze | 5-6 | Jr. | G | Victorville, Calif. |
| 2 | Teyahna Bond | 5-8 | So. | G | Cairns, Australia |
| 3 | Bailey Flavell | 5-10 | So. | G | Auckland, New Zealand |
| 4 | Jovi Lefotu | 5-8 | Sr. | G | Kaneohe |
| 5 | Taryn Bond | 5-9 | Fr. | G | Cairns, Australia |
| 6 | Kyra Webb | 6-1 | So. | G | Melbourne |
| 7 | Zyriah Price | 6-0 | Jr. | F | Huntsville, Ala. |
| 8 | Rebecca Moors | 6-2 | Jr. | F | Auckland, New Zealand |
| 17 | Fiamma Serra | 6-4 | So. | F | La Spezia, Italy |
| 22 | Jade Peacock | 6-0 | Sr. | G | Gold Coast, Australia |
| 24 | Ritorya Tamilo | 6-5 | Jr. | C | Auckland, New Zealand |
| 39 | Payton Mills | 6-2 | Fr. | F | Lynden, Wash. |