More on Milika Taufa, who helped lead Lahainaluna to the girls basketball state championship this year.
> > > Milika Taufa is going to be a Hoosier.
The Lahainaluna center, a Star-Bulletin Girls Basketball All-State Fab 15 selection, signed with Indiana last week after visiting the campus.
“She sent out her profile (after the season) and I got 20-something calls in one day,” Lady Lunas coach Todd Rickard said.
The 5-foot-11 senior also visited Louisiana Tech. Iowa and Northwestern were among other interested schools, but Indiana is a good fit.
“She said it reminded her of home. She felt so comfortable with the people and the way they treated her,” Rickard said.
Taufa was voted No. 2 by coaches and media in the Fab 15. She scored 29 points in the state final as Lahainaluna upset Konawaena for its first state crown.
“She had quite a bit of offers. I feel good for her. The time she and her parents put in, from sixth grade,” Rickard said of Taufa and the Menehune basketball club in Lahaina.
Back then, Taufa was a reluctant sixth grader.
“She wasn’t sure at first if she wanted to do it. Ofa (Namoa) ended up bringing her back,” Rickard recalled. “Hopefully, when she goes to Indiana, she can expand her game.”
Paul Honda, Star-Bulletin
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