H1 Thunder Basketball: 17U tips off on Friday

Thursday, July 19, 2012

17U tips off on Friday

We're less than 24 hours away from the 17U playing a doubleheader in the NJB Classic at Palama Settlement gym. The 17U plays a team from Alaska at 7:00 pm, then has a short break before playing Lanakila at 8:20 pm. Be sure to be at Palama at least an hour early for warmups and stretching. The tournament officials have told me that they will start games as early as possible.

That means, if the game before ours finishes at 6:40, our game will start at 6:45. They have time constraints and a stacked schedule, so please go early just to be safe.

As it was last week at the Aiea 16U tournament, Coach Larry will be in charge of the 17U this week. He's been with us for two years now, helping out in so many ways on and off the court, in games and at practice — even though he's busy with two younger children besides his second oldest son, our point guard, Isaiah. Coach Bo announced at the end of the Kalani Varsity League that he'd be focused on football for the rest of the offseason, but he plans to be the Classic tomorrow night.

That will give us plenty of support on the bench offensively and defensively. Coach Larry brings the composure of a field general. Coach Bo brings the fire of a defensive specialist, which isn't a surprise with his background as a defensive coach in football.

For the guys who have not been at practice all week, please be aware that Coach Larry is not obligated to play you in this week's games. (The guys who have been busy with football practice or other reasons have told me and/or Coach Larry. Also, the guys who played in last week's 16U tourney really developed good chemistry and flow by the final two games, both close wins.)

Not knowing the offensive plays, not making the right decisions defensively, not knowing our new inbounds play or pressbreaker #2 ('Lightning') — that comes only through working together over and over through time. So please be patient and understand why Coach Larry may or may not put you into the game. Sometimes, it's the situation. Sometimes, it's just the tempo of the game. Other times, we simply have a solid five guys on the floor with great chemistry doing good work. And sometimes, it's just a coach's intuition.

We cannot reach our goals in this tournament without everyone supporting each other on the court and on the bench. So please be ready mentally and physically to produce on the court and to support one another in reserve roles. When we have one united, cohesive mindset, we are capable of beating ANYBODY.

See you guys tomorrow. I lub this game!

NOTE: If you are a first-year player with the Thunder, please bring a copy of your birth certificate to the tournament today (17U) or tomorrow (12U).

Friday, July 20

NJB Hawaii Classic, Manoa gym (July 18-22)

3:00 pm Shooting practice

4:30 pm 15U leave for McCully gym

5:00 pm 15U warmups/stretching, McCully gym

5:15 pm 17U leave for Palama Settlement gym

6:00 pm 17U warmups/stretching, Palama Settlement gym

6:10 pm 15U vs. Lanakila, McCully gym (CAL League)

7:00 pm 17U vs. Utqiagvik Warriors (Alaska) (NJB Classic)

8:00 pm 17U warmups/stretching

8:20 pm 17U vs. Lanakila, Palama Settlement gym (NJB Classic)

Saturday, July 21