Would this day ever come? Could it ever come?

Had the basketball gods and those from the NCAA eligibility committee dictated different drives down the lane, Shawna-Lei Kuehu should have had her senior night in 2012. Or 2013. Or 2014.

Or not at all.

That it will happen Saturday with the regular-season finale at the Stan Sheriff Center is as impressive as the number of lei that Kuehu and the three other Rainbow Wahine seniors will receive after the game with Cal State Fullerton.

First there was that change of heart by the two-time state player of the year out of Punahou. After signing to play for Cal, Kuehu decided not to leave home and took a year off from school to work before signing with Hawaii for 2009-10.

Her drive to work on Kaneohe Bay — she earned her captain’s license — was nothing compared to the seemingly endless commute between doctors and the gym, hospitals and the court upon returning to basketball and school at UH.

Then there were major decisions to be made, life-altering ones, the biggest being whether to continue playing after having her daughter, Kaiona Kuehu-Enriques, in the summer of 2012.

"She’s a blessing, a blessing in disguise," the 25-year-old Kuehu said. "I definitely had to grow up, make better choices, not just for me but for her. I had to be a role model, including being one for my teammates.

"It has changed me. My teammates know, because I used to get on them for things that now … my patience has grown. It’s learning how to get them to do what you need them to do at their comfort level."

The baby steps she took on the court have been by both Kaiona and the Rainbow Wahine since Kuehu’s return in fall 2012. Hawaii has been to the Women’s NIT the past two seasons — the first postseason appearances since 2003 — and, having clinched the Big West regular-season championship, the Rainbow Wahine are guaranteed a third straight postseason bid.

But the goal has always been to get back to the NCAA tournament for the sixth time, the first since 1998. That would happen if Hawaii wins the Big West tournament on March 14; otherwise, it will be another WNIT berth.

"I came back to be part of something great, wanted to help Hawaii basketball get back to the way it was when I was growing up," said Kuehu, who is five points shy of becoming the ninth Rainbow Wahine to score at least 1,200. "I didn’t want to leave on a bad note. I could have stopped to take care of my daughter, which would have been awesome in itself, but I wanted to be part of something that left a good legacy.

"We really want the NCAAs. It would mean all the hard work, all the sacrifices I’ve made, have been worth it."

Few would think it coincidence that Hawaii’s resurgence has coincided with a relatively healthy Kuehu and the hiring of Laura Beeman in March 2012. There was mutual acceptance and admiration that bridged their ages: Kuehu was born in 1990, when Beeman was in the sophomore season of her record-setting, All-America career as a point guard at Cal State San Bernardino.

"She’s an amazing young woman," Beeman said of Kuehu. "You don’t meet a Shawna-Lei Kuehu but a couple times in your life. You keep them in your life, cherish these moments and understand the impact they’ve had in your life.

"I believe it was the birth of Kaiona that forced her to show vulnerability, to develop patience that comes with being a mother. That little girl has not only helped Shawna but also has helped bring the team together. I’ve already offered her (a scholarship)."

Although that was said jokingly, Kuehu knows that her coach is committed to her daughter as a member of the team.

"Her priority is Kaiona, she understands there is a life outside of basketball that she’s trying to prepare you for," Kuehu said. "Not every coach would allow this, not every team would allow this, but this is what we have. This is who we are.

"I don’t want this program to go back to it being OK to be OK. Because it’s not OK to settle. We’re greater than that, and if you settle for less, you’ll never know that greatness. The mind-set changed when Coach Beeman came. It was what I knew coming from Punahou, to have that work ethic and that success."

The Buffanblu won three state titles with Kuehu and her twin, Shaena-Lyn, including their sophomore year, when Shawna-Lei scored a Hawaii state high school record 37 points in the title game against Roosevelt. It was one point less than the Rough Riders scored in the 61-38 loss.

This season, the Rainbow Wahine have won 13 straight since dropping two on the road to open Big West play. Coincidence or not, Kuehu did not play in either, having re-aggravated a shoulder injury in the previous game.

"She’s an amazing athlete," Rainbow Wahine senior guard Morgan Mason said. "It’s amazing how she can juggle school and basketball and motherhood. I don’t know many others who can do it and do it for so many years at the level she is at.

"Her little girl is a delight to have around and that’s because of what Shawna has instilled in her."

It might take a village to raise a child, and in this case, the village includes the Rainbow Wahine team and staff, Kuehu’s family and boyfriend, Cory Enriques, Kaiona’s father. Kuehu and Enriques have an apartment near campus with their daughter and "it’s a challenge," said Enriques,who was on the Rainbow Warrior volleyball team for several years and now works in UH’s sports marketing department. "We’re lucky that we have such a strong support team. Shawna’s grandma (Holly Kuehu) comes during the week and her mom (Brandy Kaleoaloha) helps so much, too.

"Shawna’s been through so much, but she had a purpose, basketball- and education-wise. This year is about proving that she’s made the right decisions."

Kuehu graduated last May with a degree in economics, right about the time the NCAA granted her appeal to extend the five-year clock for a sixth playing season. She is finishing her second undergraduate degree this semester in Hawaiian studies.

"I am Hawaiian, it is who I am, it’s the culture I was raised in," said Kuehu, who attended a Hawaiian immersion school before Punahou. "Being an educated Hawaiian is very important to me. I want to make something of myself.

"I’m not sure what will happen after the season. Eventually I’d like to get my master’s. I don’t know about playing pro. I need to take care of my body, have surgery on my shoulder. And I want to see my daughter grow up. Ultimately, this has all been for her."

Notes

» Besides Kuehu and Mason, also being honored Saturday are guard Ashleigh Karaitiana and forward Shawlina Segovia. Both are petitioning the NCAA to regain a year of eligibility, but "we’ll treat it like it’s their senior night," Beeman said. "If they are able to play next season, I don’t think anyone’s going to mind giving them a second one."

» As part of their community service, the Rainbow Wahine are asking for donations of new or gently used sneakers for the Youth Outreach program for homeless youth on Oahu.