Aloha everybody! I need your input as soon as possible.
AIEA TOURNAMENT(S)
The Aiea Blazers have summer tournaments in August. One is the 15U (Aug. 24-27). The other is the 17U (Aug. 17-20). I know we can field at 17U team, but who is available to play 15U?
Need to know ASAP.
CAL LEAGUE
They have 15U with no exceptions, same cutoff date (Sept. 1) as NJB. Unfortunate, but that's what they decided. They also have 13U, but I asked our guys and we don't have enough people for 13U.
This league begins Aug. 14. Games at McKinley.
There's also a new league, Pa‘a, but I haven't received details from them yet. If they have a 16U division, maybe we enter that one plus CAL.
Let me know what you guys think.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Coach Jimmy, aka Shooting Guru
Howzit guys, sorry for the long gap since the last post. If you're on Facebook, you've been updated almost daily with practice days and times, game times, etc. I mentioned this on FB the past couple days, but some of you may not be there, so...
Coach Jimmy Miyasaka is back in town. If you remember him from last year, he is (in my opinion) the finest shooting coach, period. Any level. Jimmy was an all-state guard at Kaimuki and later became a shooting guard at Pomona. He is currently in optometry school and on summer break. He's got a few days free so he'll be with the Thunder today and tomorrow (Sunday and Monday) to sharpen your shooting skills.
Sunday 3:00 p.m., Makiki Park
Monday 4:30 p.m., Maikiki Park
Jimmy's knowledge and application of that knowledge is matchless. I've always felt that there are plenty of good coaches in Hawaii when it comes to ballhandling, but far too few when it comes to shooting technique. Jimmy is, by far, on an elite level. I'm not bragging, either. Come down today and tomorrow and see for yourself.
Coach Jimmy Miyasaka is back in town. If you remember him from last year, he is (in my opinion) the finest shooting coach, period. Any level. Jimmy was an all-state guard at Kaimuki and later became a shooting guard at Pomona. He is currently in optometry school and on summer break. He's got a few days free so he'll be with the Thunder today and tomorrow (Sunday and Monday) to sharpen your shooting skills.
Sunday 3:00 p.m., Makiki Park
Monday 4:30 p.m., Maikiki Park
Jimmy's knowledge and application of that knowledge is matchless. I've always felt that there are plenty of good coaches in Hawaii when it comes to ballhandling, but far too few when it comes to shooting technique. Jimmy is, by far, on an elite level. I'm not bragging, either. Come down today and tomorrow and see for yourself.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
NJB Classic playoffs: 2 games Saturday!
Hey guys, I missed what was on the schedule in another column of TBA games. Since we won tonight against Pai‘ea II, we finished second in our pool.
This means that we play the third-place team from the opposite pool Saturday morning, 11 a.m., at Manoa Gym. But it also means this: we have another game after that also on Saturday. If we win our 11 a.m. game, we will play at 1 p.m. against the first-place team from the other pool, which I believe is Pai‘ea I.
If we lose our 11 a.m. game, we drop into consolation play and our next game is at 2 p.m.
We will play on Sunday as long as we remain in the championship playoff bracket. Can we do it? Of course. See you guys at 10 a.m. for warmups outside at Manoa. I lub dis game!
This means that we play the third-place team from the opposite pool Saturday morning, 11 a.m., at Manoa Gym. But it also means this: we have another game after that also on Saturday. If we win our 11 a.m. game, we will play at 1 p.m. against the first-place team from the other pool, which I believe is Pai‘ea I.
If we lose our 11 a.m. game, we drop into consolation play and our next game is at 2 p.m.
We will play on Sunday as long as we remain in the championship playoff bracket. Can we do it? Of course. See you guys at 10 a.m. for warmups outside at Manoa. I lub dis game!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
NJB Summer Classic: Thunder first game Wed, 7 pm
Just got back from the coaches meeting. Our first game (17U) is Wednesday (tomorrow), 7 p.m. against Lanakila, Manoa Gym.
We'll start warmups on the outside court at 6 p.m., then get in the gym by 6:40. We are required to be inside the gym 20 minutes before game time. NJB always starts games early if the previous one finishes early. So we have to be early for everything, which is good. It'll give us more time to get warmed up and have lots of FUN.
We don't play again until Friday, 8:20 p.m., against Pai‘ea 2 (Big Island). Be there by 7:20 p.m. for warmups.
Then we start playoff games on Saturday and finish on Sunday. There are just three teams in each pool for 17U, so each game means a lot more than usual with bigger pools.
Are you ready? Let's have some fun.
We'll start warmups on the outside court at 6 p.m., then get in the gym by 6:40. We are required to be inside the gym 20 minutes before game time. NJB always starts games early if the previous one finishes early. So we have to be early for everything, which is good. It'll give us more time to get warmed up and have lots of FUN.
We don't play again until Friday, 8:20 p.m., against Pai‘ea 2 (Big Island). Be there by 7:20 p.m. for warmups.
Then we start playoff games on Saturday and finish on Sunday. There are just three teams in each pool for 17U, so each game means a lot more than usual with bigger pools.
Are you ready? Let's have some fun.
Tuesday: Shooting practice
I know I said last night that there wouldn't be anything today for our guys, but that's only because I was focused on the coaches meeting for the NJB Classic. The meeting isn't until 7 p.m., so I'll be at Makiki Park at 5 p.m. if anyone wants to get some shooting reps in.
As for last night, that was a treat to have 13 guys in Thunder uniforms. We've gone from nearly forfeiting games to having a surplus. I tried to get everyone playing time, especially our young guys. We're not in full stride; it takes us awhile to get the tempo going full speed, and our press is rusty. Kind of expected since we rarely have team practices. But we looked good in stretches and I love the way everyone was unselfish with the ball.
Just one actual note worth repeating: stay away from the one-handed passes unless they are fullcourt baseball throws. We had back-to-back one-handed passes get stolen that allowed the Peacemakers to start a run in the second half. The problem with one-handed passes is that it's like watching a bowler. When that ball goes back, everyone in the gym knows where it's going. That fraction of a second is a LONG time for a defensive player. That's why I continue to preach about the evils of these kinds of passes.
Stick to the two-handed passes. They are difficult to read — chest pass? bounce pass? which way is it going? A one-handed pass is trouble. Please stay away from them.
Also stay away from chest passes into the paint against a zone. Too easy to tip.
I really liked our aggressiveness. We played some good defense once we got more used to each other. Defensive chemistry takes time, just like offense.
We also did a pretty good job of moving the ball and shooting the open 3. Remember, if you aren't ready to catch and shoot — hands up and footwork in motion — the open shot as the pass arrives, you miss many opportunities. And you know what I do with guys who don't take open shots. Back on the bench. So do your reps, get your confidence up and let it fly.
Thunderrrr!
Big mahalo to Bulla, Chris and Marcus for their patience and understanding. They know it's important for our young guys to get lots of playing time, but let's remember, if these gentlemen had not suited up for us, we would've forfeited one or two games in this league. To me, they're true ballers who love the game and have great respect for their teammates and opponents. That means more to me than wins and losses and trophies.
As for last night, that was a treat to have 13 guys in Thunder uniforms. We've gone from nearly forfeiting games to having a surplus. I tried to get everyone playing time, especially our young guys. We're not in full stride; it takes us awhile to get the tempo going full speed, and our press is rusty. Kind of expected since we rarely have team practices. But we looked good in stretches and I love the way everyone was unselfish with the ball.
Just one actual note worth repeating: stay away from the one-handed passes unless they are fullcourt baseball throws. We had back-to-back one-handed passes get stolen that allowed the Peacemakers to start a run in the second half. The problem with one-handed passes is that it's like watching a bowler. When that ball goes back, everyone in the gym knows where it's going. That fraction of a second is a LONG time for a defensive player. That's why I continue to preach about the evils of these kinds of passes.
Stick to the two-handed passes. They are difficult to read — chest pass? bounce pass? which way is it going? A one-handed pass is trouble. Please stay away from them.
Also stay away from chest passes into the paint against a zone. Too easy to tip.
I really liked our aggressiveness. We played some good defense once we got more used to each other. Defensive chemistry takes time, just like offense.
We also did a pretty good job of moving the ball and shooting the open 3. Remember, if you aren't ready to catch and shoot — hands up and footwork in motion — the open shot as the pass arrives, you miss many opportunities. And you know what I do with guys who don't take open shots. Back on the bench. So do your reps, get your confidence up and let it fly.
Thunderrrr!
Big mahalo to Bulla, Chris and Marcus for their patience and understanding. They know it's important for our young guys to get lots of playing time, but let's remember, if these gentlemen had not suited up for us, we would've forfeited one or two games in this league. To me, they're true ballers who love the game and have great respect for their teammates and opponents. That means more to me than wins and losses and trophies.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Busy basketball week ahead
Yeah! Good fun last night at the KKB Young Men's League. Good effort by our young guys and "old" guys. Max, Bryson, Mickey, Kaelen all continue to show nice improvement this offseason. Keep working at it, guys. Each workout, each day counts. Everything matters.
Carter and Wilson were the only guys among our Spring 17U team who made it, but Bulla came again and brought his two buddies, Marcus and Chris. We ended up with nine guys. That was nice! I was concerned that we might not have enough guys with JJ and Drew both injured.
Final score was 44-40 over the Peacemakers. Rematch is on Monday!
I lub dis game.
Schedule
Sunday, 3 p.m., Shooting practice, Makiki Park
Monday, 7 p.m. (6:15 warmup), Game, Palolo Gym
Wednesday through Sunday, NJB Classic, more info coming soon
Carter and Wilson were the only guys among our Spring 17U team who made it, but Bulla came again and brought his two buddies, Marcus and Chris. We ended up with nine guys. That was nice! I was concerned that we might not have enough guys with JJ and Drew both injured.
Final score was 44-40 over the Peacemakers. Rematch is on Monday!
I lub dis game.
Schedule
Sunday, 3 p.m., Shooting practice, Makiki Park
Monday, 7 p.m. (6:15 warmup), Game, Palolo Gym
Wednesday through Sunday, NJB Classic, more info coming soon
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Game video: 17U vs. Lanakila 'A'
Thunder 17U vs. Lanakila 'A' in a classic finish.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Trust and faith
I was really concerned yesterday. Yeah. Half our guys were busy with high school summer league at the same time our game with KKB was going to begin (7 p.m.). Our other guys were busy, too, with Scout Camp, football practice. Some guys are injured. It was very bleak at best, but it's always good to have hope.
Thanks to Max's mom, Drew made it to the game after football practice and played despite an injured ankle. Because the KKB League allows adults to play, Drew's older brother Bulla joined in. We also had Nate play for the first time along with Tai, who we hadn't seen in Thunder orange since the Aiea Blazers tournament a few months back. Then there was Max, who is the youngest player in the league by far. No other eighth graders, period.
So we didn't have to forfeit, I felt relieved and we had some fun. KKB's team was a patchwork group, too. Most of their guys were missing, so they "borrowed" some of the Hawaiian Punch players. We had an entirely different crew from our first game two weeks ago, but there was a lot of great chemistry. It was cool to see the Viena brothers playing together and playing well. Max hit some nice perimeter shots and held his own against the taller, older guys down low. Nate was extremely quick and deceptive with that lefty drive and finish. Tai was tough on defense and in transition — even though we didn't press at all. Drew was his usual solid all-around self inside and on the break, and he even banked in a 3-pointer from 22 feet out. Bulla? The guy was on fire from the 3-point arc and tough underneath, almost always the first man back on defense. He had a lot of stops against KKB's fastbreak. Frankly, he should be playing college basketball somewhere.
It was fun, but I'm just glad we had a team. We'll have more bodies next week now that one of the high school summer leagues is done.
Shoot your 300: Everybody, we got shooting practice Sunday, 3 p.m., Makiki Park. Our next game is Friday, Palolo Gym, 7 p.m.
During the week, I'll be at Makiki Park 5 p.m. daily (with the new basketballs) so you can work on your game. Shooting drills. Ballhandling drills. If we have 10, scrimmage. This is what summer is about. Improve at least 1% every day and you'll be a totally new player within a month, two months, three months.
Thanks to Max's mom, Drew made it to the game after football practice and played despite an injured ankle. Because the KKB League allows adults to play, Drew's older brother Bulla joined in. We also had Nate play for the first time along with Tai, who we hadn't seen in Thunder orange since the Aiea Blazers tournament a few months back. Then there was Max, who is the youngest player in the league by far. No other eighth graders, period.
So we didn't have to forfeit, I felt relieved and we had some fun. KKB's team was a patchwork group, too. Most of their guys were missing, so they "borrowed" some of the Hawaiian Punch players. We had an entirely different crew from our first game two weeks ago, but there was a lot of great chemistry. It was cool to see the Viena brothers playing together and playing well. Max hit some nice perimeter shots and held his own against the taller, older guys down low. Nate was extremely quick and deceptive with that lefty drive and finish. Tai was tough on defense and in transition — even though we didn't press at all. Drew was his usual solid all-around self inside and on the break, and he even banked in a 3-pointer from 22 feet out. Bulla? The guy was on fire from the 3-point arc and tough underneath, almost always the first man back on defense. He had a lot of stops against KKB's fastbreak. Frankly, he should be playing college basketball somewhere.
It was fun, but I'm just glad we had a team. We'll have more bodies next week now that one of the high school summer leagues is done.
Shoot your 300: Everybody, we got shooting practice Sunday, 3 p.m., Makiki Park. Our next game is Friday, Palolo Gym, 7 p.m.
During the week, I'll be at Makiki Park 5 p.m. daily (with the new basketballs) so you can work on your game. Shooting drills. Ballhandling drills. If we have 10, scrimmage. This is what summer is about. Improve at least 1% every day and you'll be a totally new player within a month, two months, three months.
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