In two years at Brewer High School, Aolani Woldai is starting to solidify herself as one of the premier lockdown defenders in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex – if she hasn’t already.
The 2025 guard and the Bears are less than a month away from the 2023-24 season and Woldai has big goals for her team and herself. “This year it’s state for us,” she said. “We’re a very talented team, well coached and experienced.”
Before Woldai reached the ninth grade, the Brewer girls basketball team had just one winning record since 2006-07 (when MaxPreps started tracking scores). That came in 2018-19 when the Bears went 20-14. In the past two seasons, with Woldai on the team, Brewer has gone 23-13 and 28-4 – last year when she was a sophomore.
Woldai and her team also made history last winter when they reached the regional quarterfinal round for the first time since 1958 – more than six decades ago.
“I love the game because it’s a sport that skill and love for it go hand and hand,” Woldai said.
During her freshman year, Woldai averaged 10.4 points per game along with 3 assists, 3 steals and 2.4 rebounds, and shot 72% from the charity stripe. As a sophomore she averaged 9.8 points, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2.3 rebounds and bumped her shooting to 92% from the line.
While playing for True Texas Hoops in the AAU season, she averaged 16 points, 5 steals, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and shot 93% from the free throw line. Some of her favorite memories are from the AAU season.
“I love all the girls I meet. They’re so welcoming,” she said.
“The best part is getting to know people and learning how to play with them.”
Woldai has been playing basketball since she was 4 – and she always looked up to one of the all-time best professional basketball players – the late great Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers. She sees all of his drive and passion in herself.
“Our work ethic are similar. We have that mindset where we never stopped working even when we know something is over with,” Woldai said. “Kobe had a mentality that he never gave up. He always had the same mental thoughts and went all out.”
Woldai only stands at 5-foot-7, but often times will guard the best player on the opposing team. When asked if she likes playing offense or defense better – you can guess it. She chose defense.
“Defense for sure,” she confirmed.
“I’m a true traditional point guard that looks at the other teams game plan and then execute plays needed to make sure my teammates get good looks and get them involved,” Woldai said. “I know at any time I can get to the basket or get a good shot off because of my quickness and mindset.”
Brewer was one of the better defensive teams last season.
The Bears allowed 41 points per game in 32 matches.
In 20 of those games, they held teams to under 40 points.
“I’m always locked in on defense causing havoc,” Woldai said.
Even though the 2023-24 basketball season hasn’t officially started, Woldai is already making noise in the fall – running for the cross country team. By the way, she also runs track in the spring.
She’s coming off a nice district meet last weekend where she finished in 10th place and helped the Lady Bears cross country team to a third place finish. They will run at the regional meet on October 23-24 from Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock.
@aolani_woldai
HIGHLIGHTS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMcjDvQU0eM&t=4s
