Beeman expects recruiting class to take shape soon

Laura Beeman is still waiting on her first recruiting efforts to pay off as the new Hawaii women’s basketball coach.

The talent she has to work with took a hit in the meantime.

Lynwood (Calif.) High guard Shahana Zeigler, the CIF Southern Section Division AA Player of the Year, requested and was granted a release to be closer to home after the coaching change, Beeman said on Thursday. Zeigler was one of three players to sign with UH in the fall (early) period under former coach Dana Takahara-Dias.

"Great senior year or not a great senior year, it was something that did not faze me, to be honest with you," Beeman said. "I want kids to be happy and to have a kid come here and not be happy will negate what their ability is on the floor. It was a no-brainer for me."

The other two fall signees, Diablo Valley College guard/forward Diane Moore and New Zealand guard Morgan Roberts, are still committed to coming, she said.

The spring signing period for the 2012-13 season closes on Wednesday. Commitments can still be reached afterward, however.

"We definitely are recruiting hard. … Hopefully we’ll have some signings before (Wednesday)," Beeman said. "If not, then (commitments) shortly after. Coming into the situation so late (hired March 23), it’s difficult getting all the visits and the planning worked out, but I feel pretty optimistic with what’s going on with this year’s recruiting class. So we’ll see, crossing my fingers, you never know until kids sign on the dotted line where they’re going to end up."

Beeman has as many as five scholarships to assign for next season. She gained a couple after the coaching change; freshman Malia Cravens also requested out.

As far as her coaching staff, it remains a work in progress. Beeman retained Gavin Petersen from Takahara-Dias’ staff and hired Mary Wooley from USC last month. The vacant third assistant spot is posted online until Wednesday, after which Beeman will make a selection, she said.

The team’s 2012-13 schedule is nearly complete as arranged by Takahara-Dias’ staff. It will more than likely feature national powers Baylor — the undefeated national champion featuring Brittney Griner — Stanford, and Oklahoma, plus Arkansas and Oregon from power conferences.

"It’s pretty intense," Beeman said. "But we’re going to take it head-on."