New kids on the block

A lot of new faces working out with us, including new guys today. Jerson (12), Woo (15) and Edriane (14), along with the new guys who have joined us in the past week. I asked for help, and we're getting plenty of it!

One of the things I really like is how the younger players are focused and trying hard all the time, and also how our older guys are helping out the younger guys. Kyle (12), Sean (14) and Sifo (13) have only been with us for a few practices, but they're already fitting in and playing good basketball. Smart and unafraid to play their game.

Then there's Micah and Walter, who are both 10, but hold their own against the older guys. They're going to help our 13U, but down the road, they're going to be really, really good.

Today's workout started at 3 and we got a lot of shooting done today because, for the first time in a month, we didn't have major wind. It was awesome! We drilled with footwork and jump shots for a good hour, and when regular practice began at 4:30 pm, we kept rolling on as more guys arrived.

200 shots a day, every day, and you'll have 30,000 shots behind you when November 1 (tryouts) arrive for your school season. Not to mention the extra 50 free throws each day. Two of my favorite players of all time are Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, both of whom worked and worked as young players while nobody else was around. Even into his pro career, Bird would take 700 shots a day in any nearby gym back home in French Lick, Indiana.

Magic heard about his arch rival's work ethic. He started taking 800 shots a day. Two true champions. Two real leaders. And both came from public high schools. It's not about money or how fancy your facilities are — or aren't. It's about heart, desire and commitment. If you don't have it in basketball, you're no different than more than 99% of the world. You'll do just fine.

But if you're one of that fraction of 1% that strives to do great things, one shot at a time, one layup at a time, one minute at a time, you are a special breed.

Looking forward to tomorrow. We have practice from 3 to 5 pm for the younger guys, then we drive over to Aiea for the 16U's championship game, 8:15 tip-off.

I lub this game.

Friday, 3 pm - Practice, Makiki Park
Friday, 8:15 pm - 16U vs Aiea Blazers, Aiea District Park Gym. Be there one hour early (outside) for warmups.
Saturday, 11 am - Practice
Sunday, 12:10 pm - 13U vs Crush2, Koko Head gym. Be there one hour early for warmups.
Sunday, 3 pm - Shooting drills, pizza party, Makiki Park.
Monday, 3:00-4:45 pm - Practice/warmups, Makiki Park.
Monday, 6:20 pm - 13U vs Lanakila, Kilauea gym. Be there one hour early for warmups (outside).
Tuesday, 3 pm - Shooting drills, 4:30 pm Practice
Wednesday, 3 pm - Shooting drills, 4:30 pm Practice
Wednesday, 8 pm - 15U vs Boom, Kilauea gym. Be there one hour early for warmups (outside)

Schedule update (adds CAL 13U/15U)

Just out today.

Compete & Learn League
13U
Sunday, June 3, 12:10 pm - Crush2 vs Thunder, Koko Head gym
Monday, June 4, 6:20 pm - Lanakila vs Thunder, Kilauea gym
Monday, June 11, 8 pm - Thunder vs Kiawe Heat, Kilauea gym

15U
Wednesday, June 6, 8 pm - Boom vs Thunder, Kilauea gym
Wednesday, June 13, 8 pm - Lanakila vs Thunder, Kilauea gym

Remaining schedule TBA

REGISTRATION FORM HERE for 13U and 15U 
(CAL League only)
Please go to the CAL website for the registration form. Click right here for the form.
You will see a page for the players' names and signatures. Just fill your son's name here with info and sign, then bring to practice on Friday or Saturday, or to the first game on Sunday.

Practice today: Shooting drills 3 pm. Regular practice 4:30 pm.

Here's everything else from tournaments to leagues for 13U to 17U. (Please check your e-mail for registration forms for the Kalani Varsity League and the Maryknoll JV League.) 

Kalani Varsity Summer League 
Thunder schedule 
Tuesday, June 12 - vs. Spartans, 7:15 pm 
Thursday, June 14 - bye 
Tuesday, June 19 - vs. 'Bows, 7:15 pm 
Thursday, June 21 - vs. Monarchs, 7:15 pm 
Tuesday, June 26 - vs. Buffanblu, 7:15 pm 
Thursday, June 28 - vs. Cougars, 7:15 pm 
Tuesday, July 3 - vs. Roughriders, 7:15 pm 
Thursday, July 5 - vs. Saints, 7:15 pm 
Saturday, July 7 - vs. Falcons, 7:15 pm


Maryknoll JV Summer League
Thunder schedule
(Subject to change)
Wednesday, June 13 - Thunder vs. Damien, 7:30 pm
Friday, June 15 - Kamehameha vs. Thunder, 6:30 pm
Saturday, June 16 - McKinley vs. Thunder, 11:00 am
Wednesday, June 20 - Moanalua vs. Thunder, 7:30 pm
Friday, June 22 - Thunder vs. Punahou, 6:30 pm
Saturday, June 23 - Thunder vs. Maryknoll I, 2:00 pm
Wednesday, June 27 - Thunder vs University, 5:30 pm
Friday, June 29 - Maryknoll II vs. Thunder, 4:30 pm
Saturday, June 30 - Thunder vs. Kaimuki, 11:00 am
Friday, July 6 - Thunder vs. Damien, 5:30 pm

UPDATED SCHEDULE
June 3, CAL 13U ($400), COMMITTED. Cannot be 14 until after July 31. 

June 6, CAL 15U ($400), COMMITTED. Cannot be 16 until after July 31. 

June 8-10, Rebelz 16U tourney ($425), no entry (too expensive) 

June 12-July 7 Kalani summer league ($400), COMMITTED (see schedule below)

June 13-July 6 Maryknoll JV summer league ($200), COMMITTED (see schedule above)

June 15-17, Aiea 14U tourney ($250), PAID (5/24/12)

June 22-28, Open Court 15U ($250), Le Jardin Gym (may enter) 

July 6-8, Aiea 18U tourney ($250), PAID 

July 13-15, Aiea 16U tourney ($250), wait list 

July 18-22, NJB Classic ($325), 14U/8th grade, 17U/11th grade, not signed up yet

Kona Stingrays tourney, TBA 

Repetition builds confidence

3:35 pm, Shooting drills about to begin. Regular practice starts 4:30. Either you love this game and work on it every day ... or you don't. I lub this game!

13U shaping up

Workout on Tuesday was fair. 13U worked hard (Sifo, Jared, Kyle) and our new 13U guy, Paul Do, was a little sparkplug. The kid has never played organized ball, but he was weaving in and out of traffic, making plays like a vet. If our 15U and 17U can focus for an entire practice, we might have something special this summer. Time will tell.

We have a pretty interesting 13U so far, but with five guys, we still need a few more. Please bring 13U players to practice on Wednesday and Thursday. (We also have practice on Saturday.) First game is on Sunday, 12:10 p.m. at Koko Head gym. Let's roll!

Mahalo to Sifo's dad (Loto), Coach Allen Fortson (Palolo Rush football, Team Hammah girls basketball), Roy (Kyle's dad) and Cliff (Jared's dad) for stepping on the court to scrimmage our guys. The situationals are always fun. Older players know how to handle last-minute scenarios better than younger ballers, and this is why we do the situationals — to learn from mistakes, and boy did we make a few doozies today!

I lub this game.

Climbing higher on Monday

Building blocks today. The 17U/16U did plenty to help teach our 13U/14U/15U along with the offenses, press, pressbreaker. I really like how the 15U/13U started to attack and score against the older boys in the last few minutes of our scrimmage. Mahalos to our dads and uncles for helping out with the second scrimmage. Great to see our "old" twins, Kerl and Karl, helping out with their dad, Roy.

Only the second practice for 13U and there is great potential. We still need more of the 13U and 15U at practice with games in the coming week. I just like what we have. A lot!

We had our first "early" shooting workout today. John, Felix, Alleck and a new addition, Shawn (sp) got about 100-150 shots in before regular practice.

Practice tomorrow (Tuesday), Wednesday and Thursday: Shooting drills 3 p.m., regular practice 4:30 p.m. Then the 16U plays on Friday, 8:15 pm for the Aiea League championship. Woohooo!!

I lub this game.

Video: 17U vs Palama

Highlights

 

Part 1 

Part 2 

Part 3

Monday: 3 pm for extra shooting

MONDAY PRACTICE - I'll be there at 3 pm for anybody who wants to get a lot of shooting in before practice. We'll start "regular" practice at the usual 4:30. If you need a ride, let me know and I'll give you a lift (551-1054).

Video: 17U vs. Rising Stars

Highlights and game video part 1 are up. Parts 2 and 3 are still loading on YouTube. Should be up by Monday morning.

Highlights


Part 1


Part 2


Part 3

Video: 16U vs Kalihi Valley

Highlights


Part 1


Part 2


Part 3

13U are born (updated)

What wind? OK, it was breezy and a little rainy, but our 13U got a lot of work done today, practicing as a team for the first time. Sifo, Micah, Walter, Jared. Kyle came later. His older brothers Karl and Kerl played on our first team at KAC. No pizza today, but definitely on Monday. Mahalo to Isaiah, Cody, Felix and Alleck for helping out.

The CAL League 13U first-week schedule just arrived. Our 13U plays its first game on Sunday, June 3, 12:10 pm at Koko Head District Park Gym. That's right. Koko Head. I'll be looking that up on Google Maps. We play Crush2.

Also got this in the e-mail. This is tentative until I get confirmation from Maryknoll JV Basketball League that we are the "TBA" in the schedule released today.

Maryknoll JV Summer League
Thunder schedule
(Subject to change)
Wednesday, June 13 - Thunder vs. Damien, 7:30 pm
Friday, June 15 - Kamehameha vs. Thunder, 6:30 pm
Saturday, June 16 - McKinley vs. Thunder, 11:00 am
Wednesday, June 20 - Moanalua vs. Thunder, 7:30 pm
Friday, June 22 - Thunder vs. Punahou, 6:30 pm
Saturday, June 23 - Thunder vs. Maryknoll I, 2:00 pm
Wednesday, June 27 - Thunder vs University, 5:30 pm
Friday, June 29 - Maryknoll II vs. Thunder, 4:30 pm
Saturday, June 30 - Thunder vs. Kaimuki, 11:00 am
Friday, July 6 - Thunder vs. Damien, 5:30 pm

Huge mahalo to Maryknoll and Coach Kelly Grant. They needed a team to fill in and counted on us, and we're ready to play basketball. We'd better be haha!

Here's the rest of the combined schedule for 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U and 17U.

UPDATED SCHEDULE
June 3, CAL 13U ($400), COMMITTED. Cannot be 14 until after July 31. 

June 3, CAL 15U ($400), COMMITTED. Cannot be 16 until after July 31. 

June 8-10, Rebelz 16U tourney ($425), no entry (too expensive) 

June 12-July 7 Kalani summer league ($400), COMMITTED (see schedule below)


* June 13-July 6 Maryknoll JV summer league ($200), COMMITTED (see schedule above)

June 15-17, Aiea 14U tourney ($250), PAID (5/24/12)

June 22-28, Open Court 15U ($250), Le Jardin Gym (may enter) 

July 6-8, Aiea 18U tourney ($250), PAID 

July 13-15, Aiea 16U tourney ($250), wait list 

July 18-22, NJB Classic ($325), 14U/8th grade, 17U/11th grade, not signed up yet

Kona Stingrays tourney, TBA 

* Added today

# # # # # # # # 

Kalani Varsity Summer League 
Thunder schedule 
Tuesday, June 12 - vs. Spartans, 7:15 pm 
Thursday, June 14 - bye 
Tuesday, June 19 - vs. 'Bows, 7:15 pm 
Thursday, June 21 - vs. Monarchs, 7:15 pm 
Tuesday, June 26 - vs. Buffanblu, 7:15 pm 
Thursday, June 28 - vs. Cougars, 7:15 pm 
Tuesday, July 3 - vs. Roughriders, 7:15 pm 
Thursday, July 5 - vs. Saints, 7:15 pm 
Saturday, July 7 - vs. Falcons, 7:15 pm 

Sunday shootout: 3 pm

Shooting and ballhandling practice today, 3 pm at Makiki Park. We need a strong turnout particularly for 13U and 15U. They start playing in one week so time is of the essence.

If the wind holds back, we'll do a lot of shooting drills. I lub this game!

Saturday shred session

Got solid work done in 2 hours this afternoon at Makiki. Another windy day, so we didn't get any 3-point drilling in like usual. But we did a lot of 1-on-1 ballhandling/on-ball defense, 1-on-1 footwork, combo dribble moves from the wing and top. Good work by Mick, Jerry, Felix and Brent. It's a beautiful thing to see the guys who put in the extra work gaining great results. I lub this game!

Next workout: Sunday, 3 pm, Makiki Park. Hoping the 13U and 15U show up in big numbers. We have only 1 week until CAL League and Maryknoll JV League start. Kalani Summer League (17U) also starts in about a week.

16U over KKB

Start to finish, offense to defense, that was our best all-around game of the season. Job well done, guys! Boxing out, attacking their man defense, taking care of the ball against fullcourt pressure, executing in all phases ... it was fun to watch. You know you did a good job, and that's one of the best feelings in the world. Thunder 45, KKB 27. On to the finals!

Almost forgot to thank our parents again for providing post-game refreshments and snacks. Mahalo to the Ogoso ohana! 

Weekend schedule

Friday, 8:15 pm - 16U vs. KKB, Aiea gym. Be there 1 hour early for warmups.
Saturday, 1 pm - Practice (shooting & ballhandling), Makiki Park.
Sunday, 3 pm - Practice. 13U and 15U start league play within one week, so please come to Makiki Park.
Monday, 4:30 pm - Practice.

See the tournament and league menu below. Things are about to get crazy busy. I lub this game!

NOTE: Maryknoll has asked us to enter their JV Summer League. There's one problem: their games are on the same nights as the CAL League. I'm hoping we can schedule it out with both leagues so we don't have games at the same time and day. So we aren't in just yet. We need flexibility.

More Stair Masters

Stair Master II: Props to Felix. He ran the 33 flights of stairs at his building today before coming to practice. Said it took him 4 minutes and "wasn't that bad." The man is working hard, shooting every day and taking every on-ball drill without complaining. Getting better every day!

UPDATED SCHEDULE
June 3, CAL 13U ($400), COMMITTED. Cannot be 14 until after July 31. 

June 3, CAL 15U ($400), COMMITTED. Cannot be 16 until after July 31. 

June 8-10, Rebelz 16U tourney ($425), no entry (too expensive) 

June 12-July 7 Kalani summer league ($400), COMMITTED (see schedule below)

* June 15-17, Aiea 14U tourney ($250), PAID (5/24/12)

June 22-28, Open Court 15U ($250), Le Jardin Gym (may enter) 

July 6-8, Aiea 18U tourney ($250), PAID 

July 13-15, Aiea 16U tourney ($250), wait list 

July 18-22, NJB Classic ($325), 14U/8th grade, 17U/11th grade, not signed up yet

Kona Stingrays tourney, TBA 

* Added today

# # # # # # # # 

Kalani Summer League 

Thunder schedule 

Tuesday, June 12 - vs. Spartans, 7:15 pm 

Thursday, June 14 - bye 

Tuesday, June 19 - vs. 'Bows, 7:15 pm 

Thursday, June 21 - vs. Monarchs, 7:15 pm 

Tuesday, June 26 - vs. Buffanblu, 7:15 pm 

Thursday, June 28 - vs. Cougars, 7:15 pm 

Tuesday, July 3 - vs. Roughriders, 7:15 pm 

Thursday, July 5 - vs. Saints, 7:15 pm 

Saturday, July 7 - vs. Falcons, 7:15 pm 

Welcoming Sifo to 13U (and more)

Good workout for the Thunder today. Started with 7, then the Maryknoll boys arrived and we had 11. One of the 11 was Sifo, who is the second player on our 13U. Waiting on the other new players. Thank you, Coach Allen Dubz Fortson for bringing Sifo. He's got lots of game and plays with a maturity well beyond his young age. Looking forward to coaching the 13U!

I lub this game.

Stair Master: Props to Yong (15U), who came home from practice on Tuesday and ran the 30 floors of stairs in his building. That's serious commitment to the game and the team! 

News strikes like lightning

The CAL (Compete & Learn) Basketball League has invited our 15U to return this summer. They've expanded the division from five teams to six to accommodate us. The first game is on June 3, which is about a week away. CAL has always been a part of our history; we've played in both of their first two seasons. Games are at McKinley and they use a 30-second shot clock, which is awesome.

I'm going to need to fill out the roster, so please give me the names of your friends who want to play and come to practice (Monday through Thursday, Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons). We need more bodies pronto!

The 13U are also playing the CAL League, starting the second week (or so) in June. We'll have the schedule soon.

So here's what the updated menu of leagues and tournaments looks like for the 2012 Thunder, Summer Edition:

June 1, CAL 13U ($400), COMMITTED. Cannot be 14 until after July 31.

* June 1, CAL 15U ($400), COMMITTED. Cannot be 16 until after July 31.

June 8-10, Rebelz 16U tourney ($425), no entry (too expensive)

June 12-July 7 Kalani summer league ($400), COMMITTED (see schedule below)

June 15-17, Aiea 14U tourney ($250), may enter

June 22-28, Open Court 15U ($250), Le Jardin Gym (may enter)

July 6-8, Aiea 18U tourney ($250), PAID

July 13-15, Aiea 16U tourney ($250), wait list

July 18-22, NJB Classic ($325), 14U/8th grade, 17U/11th grade, not signed up yet

Kona Stingrays tourney, TBA

* Added today

# # # # # # # #

Kalani Summer League

Thunder schedule

Tuesday, June 12 - vs. Spartans, 7:15 pm

Thursday, June 14 - bye

Tuesday, June 19 - vs. 'Bows, 7:15 pm

Thursday, June 21 - vs. Monarchs, 7:15 pm

Tuesday, June 26 - vs. Buffanblu, 7:15 pm

Thursday, June 28 - vs. Cougars, 7:15 pm

Tuesday, July 3 - vs. Roughriders, 7:15 pm

Thursday, July 5 - vs. Saints, 7:15 pm

Saturday, July 7 - vs. Falcons, 7:15 pm


I lub this game!

3-point drill results

May 21, 2012
Breezy afternoon, Makiki Park

3-point drill (30-second limit)
Shooter, right corner, right wing, top, left wing, left corner

Isaiah
Round One: 3/11, 4/11, 1/11, 5/11, 3/11 = 16/55
Round Two: 3/11, 0/11, 4/11, 5/11, 5/10 = 17/54
Total: 33/109 (.303)

Alleck
Round One: 6/11, 1/10, 6/10, 4/9, 4/11 = 21/51
Round Two: 1/11, 1/10, 3/11, 4/11, 6/12 = 15/55
Total: 36/106 (.340)

Mick
Round One: 2/11, 5/10, 4/11, 3/11, 3/11 = 17/54
Round Two: 4/11, 3/12, 1/10, 7/11, 4/11 = 19/55
Total: 36/109 (.330)

Brent
Round One: 1/9, 2/10, 2/10, 4/10, 3/10 = 12/49
Round Two: 0/10, 1/11, 1/10, 5/11, 2/8 = 9/50
Total: 21/99 (.212)

Winner: Mick over Alleck by tiebreaker (higher percentage)

Summer Fun! (updated 3:20 pm)

Summer schedule 

Expecting a change here and there, but this is the basic menu.


June 1, CAL 13U ($400), COMMITTED. Cannot be 14 until after July 31.

June 8-10, Rebelz 16U tourney ($425), no entry (too expensive)

June 12-July 7 Kalani summer league ($400), COMMITTED

June 15-17, Aiea 14U tourney ($250), may enter

June 22-28, Open Court 15U ($250), Le Jardin Gym (may enter)

July 6-8, Aiea 18U tourney ($250), PAID

July 13-15, Aiea 16U tourney ($250), wait list

July 18-22, NJB Classic ($325), 14U/8th grade, 17U/11th grade, not signed up yet

Kona Stingrays tourney, TBA


Kalani Summer League

Thunder schedule

Tuesday, June 12 - vs. Spartans, 7:15 pm

Thursday, June 14 - bye

Tuesday, June 19 - vs. 'Bows, 7:15 pm

Thursday, June 21 - vs. Monarchs, 7:15 pm

Tuesday, June 26 - vs. Buffanblu, 7:15 pm

Thursday, June 28 - vs. Cougars, 7:15 pm

Tuesday, July 3 - vs. Roughriders, 7:15 pm

Thursday, July 5 - vs. Saints, 7:15 pm

Saturday, July 7 - vs. Falcons, 7:15 pm

Update 3:15 pm: Thunder 13U is official. League starts in 2 weeks, need more players. We run and press, so send your hyper basketball loving kids our way. Practice at Makiki Park Mon-Thur 4:30 pm, Sundays 3 pm. Questions, call me at 551-1054. I lub this game!

Update 3:20 pm: Just got an e-mail from the CAL league. Teams in our division for 13U are Blaze, Hui Lokahi, HomeGrown, Knicks, Crush2 and us. Just got a call from a good friend from Palolo who has a young baller ready to play for the Thunder.

Getting pumped up for some run and gun Thunder in 13U!