HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine basketball team held its annual end-of-year banquet Wednesday night at the Waikiki Beach Marriott with several players earning special recognition, including sophomore guard Amy Kotani, winner of the 2006 Ah Chew Goo Achievement Award.

The Ah Chew Goo Achievement Award, the program's most prestigious individual award, is given to the player who attains basketball excellence through dedication, determination and perseverance. Kotani's, journey has taken her from unheralded walk-on to starting point guard. After just one minute of action in her first two years as a Rainbow Wahine, Kotani became a key reserve at the point before being inserted as a starter midway through the season. The graduate of Moanalua High School started 12 of the final 14 games of the season and averaged 2.0 ppg and 1.0 apg.

Junior guard Janevia Taylor took home Offensive Player of the Year honors. The native of Pasadena, Calif., averaged 12.3 ppg and led the team in assists (3.5) and 3-point percentage (.327). She tied her career high with 23 points, the highest output for a Rainbow Wahine on the season, in a win at San Jose State in February. Junior center Brittany Grice earned Defensive Player of the Year kudos. Grice led the Western Athletic Conference and was among the national leaders in blocked shots at 2.5 per game. She also led the team in rebounding at 7.5 rpg. Senior forward Emily Helmly was named top Scholar-Athlete, holding a 3.76 grade point average as an elementary education major.

UH finished 18-10, a seven-win improvement from last season, under second-year head coach Jim Bolla. It marked the best win total in four years for the Rainbow Wahine, who also claimed their best conference standing in the same span with a third-place finish in the WAC.

2005-06 Rainbow Wahine Basketball Awards
Ah Chew Goo Achievement Award: Amy Kotani
Offensive Player of the Year: Janevia Taylor
Defensive Player of the Year: Brittany Grice
Scholar Athlete: Emily Helmly

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