That wraps up the NJB All-Net season for our 15U. OTB is a very cool organization and it's nice to see some familiar faces there doing so well. They just beat us good today. I wish we were at full force from the start, but we had our chance to stay in the game. We're still getting there, one day at a time.
At our best, we were as good or better than any team, including the unbeaten big boys from Kapolei. But over time, we showed lots of room for improvement, including now. I'm never sad about a 7-4 record considering we're far from the biggest team in the league. I do believe, however, that no team showed as much heart. We've had to battle lack of numbers all season long and we've won games with five or six guys thanks to your determination and sacrifice, and the help of good guys like Coach Daniel.
The past few weeks, the pattern has been similar to our 17U: fewer and fewer guys coming to practice. The effect isn't good, but we hid that pretty well until this week. Last week, between our two teams, we were 3-0. But another week of lack of practice time did us in pretty good. We all look rusty, and more so, the chemistry isn't the same. It's very tough to go a week or two without playing together, and then just go out there and play good basketball. That's what makes the game so captivating. Whatever you put in as a team is what you get out.
That's the nature of offseason basketball. There's track and field, volleyball, spring football, band ... all kinds of things that take precedence over basketball leagues and practices. I hope to find the elixir that will stir more guys into coming to practice when they do have time. Most of our workouts emphasize shooting and ballhandling, which take a lot of concentration, but we're not exactly running sprints for three hours. It's relatively easy, but solid repetition work that pays off in the long run.
So no, I'm not bothered about not winning a championship, even though both our 17U and 15U were capable of doing that. I am proud to be part of your basketball life, and if everybody continues to work on their skills, that would make me more happy than any titles.
For now, spring season is almost pau — 17U has a third-place game tonight at Palolo. Next up, exhibition games with Kailua (hopefully) and Leilehua (hopefully). We'll take a combined team (17U + 15U) to those gyms. Kailua may be next Sunday. Leilehua could be on a week day; I'll talk again with their coach. The more games and workouts, the better.
In July, we have the Kona Stingrays tournament (first week) and the NJB tourney (second week). Then it's the CAL League starting in August. It's a solid league that has a 30-second shot clock.
Cody asked if we have practice tomorrow (Sunday). If one guy wants to work out, I'll be there, so practice is on, 3 p.m., Makiki Park. Pizza is on me.
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