OK, I'm feeling good. Not just because Chodang has good Korean food (cheap) with air conditioning. I just dropped off Felix and met up with Coach Bo. It was a strange, yet inspiring night despite weird things at Kilauea gym.
1. The 15U played GREAT for 25 minutes, then struggled in the last 5 minutes against Lanakila. We led by 12 late in the first half, but lost 42-40. This is the second time in as many weeks that I feel weirdly good about a loss. It felt a lot like we won, in a way, because everybody was hustling his ass off, diving for loose balls, Kyle flying into the corner out of bounds to save a ball (that led to a basket by Sean). Ihaka Johnson played out of his mind, scored at least 20, maybe 25 points. As a team, we were just seven strong and that lack of depth hurt us at the end. Lanakila is big and wore us down inside, but Sifo and everybody kept battling.
Yes, Max would've helped a ton, not sure what happened, but he was supposed to be there tonight. There's always next game. The turning point, though, was when Jake went down with a major leg cramp with 2 minutes left. We were up 40-35 at the time. Props to Lanakila on the comeback win. Hoping we face them again though, as our team develops more chemistry. The heart and hustle are already there. We learn from mistakes, remember what made us successful. Win together. Lose together. It's all good!
The truly "weird" thing that happened was with 2 minutes left, while Jake was on the ground in pain (leg cramp), one of the Lanakila parents was berating a referee and really went over the line. I thought for sure there was gonna be trouble, and the parent even got in the face of the league commissioner. It was a bizarre scene and thankfully nobody got hurt. No matter how good or bad a call is — and none of Lanakila's five traveling violations was called up to that point — it's basketball and mistakes happen. No parent should make it a personal issue against a referee. EVER. Tough job.
2. I heard some of what happened with the 16U against Damien. Coach Bo said Cody "went off" tonight with four treys. Is this true? All I can say is, it's about time!
I'm glad neither of our teams tonight had to forfeit. We had exactly 7 players at each site and everybody got to contribute in different ways. One team (16U) has played together for a few months now and the chemistry on offense and especially DEFENSE is really flowing. Our 15U boys will get there soon. They have the potential to be a fast, deadly offense. We just need our sick guys and missing guys to be there. Yes, 80 is within reach for the 15U.
Great job by everybody tonight, from our players to parents to Coach Larry and Coach Bo. Uncle Roland, thank you for shooting the game video at the JV League. I just wish I could've seen both games.
16U plays in the Maryknoll JV League on Friday (I'd forgotten about that, but it is on the schedule I've posted). 14U plays in the Aiea Tourney Friday through Sunday.
THURSDAY, 3 PM - Shooting practice, followed by regular practice, 4:30. All hands on deck!
I lub this game.
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