Friday night update

Heard from Coach Eric that our 17U lost to KAC 55-50 tonight. Alleck on fire. I'm glad we're competing against the older teams, and real happy for Alleck. I heard he was "on fire" before hurting his ankle late in the game. He's always been one of our hardest workers, always listens.

17U, don't forget, practice tomorrow (Saturday) at 10 am. Pizza afterward if we have enough guys and girls. I'm mostly relieved that our dads stepped up to help coach while I was at work. I hate missing games, but knowing we have adults ready to step in makes it all good. Main thing is you guys get a lot of practice and a chance to play games and improve each day.

Sat Sept 8
1:40 pm 15U vs Santos, Kilauea gym

Sun Sept 9
10:40 am 13U vs. Makakilo, McKinley gym

Sun Sept 16
10:20 am 13U vs Hawaii Kai, Kilauea gym

Waiting for PAA and NJB to release the upcoming 17U schedule. But tomorrow, 200+ shots for everyone. 

Rock solid

SOLID workout today, Thunder! Just finished work, feel good about 10 Thunder at practice, even though we still need all our 17U guys there so we can get better in the PAA and NJB leagues.

Today's 10: John Chow, Chase Ogoshi, Mike Pimentel, Sierra Murobayashi, Tanielu Afe, Jerson Dosuo, Kyle Moraga, Brent Quackenbush, and our new kids, JN and Pilly. Alleck had a ton of homework. Cody had tutoring. Kaelen, think his knee is sore. Chris was at football. I feel good about everybody who was there today. I feel bad for them, though, that some of their teammates didn't want to work together today. We could really use the work and get the chemistry back.

What I liked best about today, besides everybody's patience in working on the '4 Out' offense and running hard during the scrimmage, is that you guys told me you wanted to come to practice today after Wednesday's game. Most of you kept your word. You showed leadership. That's what lasts over time. That's one of the reasons you will succeed.

People — adults and kids — who can't keep their word, there are plenty of them in the world. They end up being followers, lacking belief and conviction in their abilities and potential. They wind up with the most regrets. Who knows why they won't step up, or why they don't want to put in the work with their teams. But there have always been underachievers. And there have always been overachievers. I've always been an overachiever. I know what it's like to work on my jump shot and ballhandling for hours in the offseason, even though I knew I had a starting position pretty much locked up.

That wasn't good enough for me. I wanted to be part of a championship team, and I believed it was going to happen. I didn't want to miss the ride. So I ran the stairs at Ala Wai Plaza with my friends. We ran around Ala Wai Canal all the time. We played pickup ball every day against ex-college athletes, good local players, anybody, any time.

I see some of that same passion and dedication in a lot of our Thunder. That makes life fun for me!

Friday (tomorrow), call Coach Roy (693-6777) early and let him know if you need a ride from Makiki Park to Kilauea gym. Please help him out. He'll have the cooler, the basketballs and stuff. I have to work. I'll be at Aloha Stadium by 3 pm.

Get warmed up good tomorrow, don't overdo it and get hurt before the game.

Warmups at Kilauea gym outside court 6:00 pm. Game time 7:00 pm. HAVE FUN EVERYBODY! 

All in: 4 Out is win-win

Thursday: 3:30 pm 17U practice. With Kaelen and Mike back, it really expands what we can do out of a set like '4 Out'. You guys haven't even imagined the possibilities, and as I said during warmups, there's a HUGE reason why the Lakers are incorporating this play — it's actually called Princeton Continuity Series. At practice, we'll work on getting three goals doe in this offense.

1. Set up the Pick & Roll with the ball on either wing.

2. Cutter goes to the low-post, entry pass from the wing.

3. 1-on-1 drive from the wing or top.

The spacing of '4 Out' allows us to do this, making it easier for any offensive player with a strong advantage on the defender to get a wide lane to drive through. We'll still have our other packages and plays, but '4 Out' matches our strengths best. Now if we can just get some timing down on backdoor passes to cutters ...

Also, with '4 Out', it's very simple to call '10 Ball' for our post, meaning we can send Kaelen or John or Mike or anybody else into the low post immediately. It's tougher to do that out of a reset of our standard set for 'Princeton' or '8 Ball'. I can see games down the road when we'll just '10 Ball' another team to death on the low post, constantly using mismatches to get our guys in scoring position for high-percentage shots.

That doesn't just go for our big guys. We could call '10 Ball' and send Alleck to the low post. Mick. Bryson. Isaiah. Tanielu. Chris. Anybody who has strong post skills and a willingness to punish the defense.

WATCH THESE VIDEOS. Eddie Jordan brought the Princeton offense to Washington a few years back when they were actually pretty good. Now he's with the Lakers and they're installing this series. Coach Jordan, of course, learned the offense from the master (Yoda) himself, legendary coach Pete Carrill. You'll notice that the Princeton Continuity Series ('4 Out') is fairly similar to a lot of our current plays. The main difference is more aggression and flow from all 5 players on the floor, starting with backdoor cuts off dribble to the wing, pick & rolls at the top. But watch and you'll see the multiple ways to score from all areas of the floor off this series.

From the master himself

Chemistry lacking

I know it's normal for a lot of high school guys to think of offseason leagues as nothing else but glorified pickup basketball games. Roll the ball out there and just play wild jungle ball.

That doesn't really work unless you have vastly superior talent, and even then, a lack of defense — nobody really plays serious defense in pickup games — will haunt you later. Teams that shoot the ball well and handle the ball well often win out against physically superior teams. It's the way the basketball universe is.

Chemistry and timing, skills and work ethic matter in this sport. That's why I continue to encourage everyone in 17U to come to practice and work together. We had a pretty good team in the Aiea 16U League, and we weren't bad at all in the NJB Spring League even though we were younger than most teams in the 17U.

Tonight, we were up on Lakeside by eight or 10 points in the first half. We had Mike and Kaelen back, our rotation was doing well, all 10 players. Then our lack of chemistry, our disorganized play hurt us. Hurt us big. By halftime, we were down six and we wound up losing 53-42 (I think). Guys got tired. Guys weren't running the right plays, even inbounds plays — even though we had worked on them in pregame warmups. Guys weren't hearing what the bench was calling.

Again, we missed Isaiah, no doubt. But we have enough to win games even without our best guard. And it isn't happening.

At a certain point while Lakeside ran that small lead to a double-digit lead in the second half, I gave in. It's like God was saying, "Relax. You did all you could. No amount of coaching will help a group of players that doesn't show up for practice as a team."

It's true. Unless we had Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson out there, there's a long shot of us competing and winning against any decent opposition in 17U. So, now that we as a team know that we're not very good without practicing, I really hope everyone makes it to practice tomorrow (Thursday, 3:30 pm) and Saturday (10 am).

Basketball isn't an incredibly complicated game. It's about basics. Togetherness. Trust. Work ethic. Blood and sweat. Without those things, it's difficult to win consistently, even with skilled players. And that's what's hurt us in these recent losses (Lakeside, Dolphins). That extra pass isn't there like it used to be. That open shot isn't quite there because the pass is late. The open cutter isn't getting the ball. Or the guy didn't even cut to the basket on an inbounds play.

All these things come together through practicing together. It's that simple. It's no magic formula and never has been. So I really hope everyone makes it to practice. The alternative for us as coaches, if we don't get dedicated players, is to find new players. I would hate to do that after all we've been through as a team the past two years. But sometimes people change. They lose their sense of commitment. They lose the drive to excel. That's cool, actually. Nobody stays the same forever.

It's just that there are some players who get even hungrier, work harder and longer and heighten that dedication over time. Players who look forward to working together at practice, then kicking butt in games. It's a journey with peaks and valleys, and right now, we're definitely in a valley. We're competing, but we're nowhere near our potential.

This is the fall. PAA League, we're midway through. NJB All-Net begins on Friday. After the fall, everyone gets busy with high school ball. We can set up a scenario for great basketball, great teamwork and great fun. But it's up to us as a team to step up and make it happen. Us coaches and do only so much. We show up at the park every day for you guys, the Thunder.

What you put in is what you get out of it. Tonight, it showed 100%. It's time to turn that around and play the way the real Thunder know how to play. It starts with practice, the antidote to poor chemistry.

Wednesday fun time

Wednesday: 4:30 pm shooting practice, 6:00 pm leave for Kilauea gym (food pickup). 7:00 pm, 17U warmups, Kilauea gym. 8:00 pm 17U vs. Lakeside (PAA League). 

Thursday: Shooting practice 3:30 pm, regular practice 4:30 pm

Friday: 6:00 pm, 17U warmups, Kilauea gym. 7:00 pm game (NJB All-Net).

Remaining schedule will be posted later. CAL League and PAA League will have updated game schedule.

Video: 17U vs Dolphins

Schedule (updated Tue 10:00 am)

Tuesday: Shooting practice 3:30 pm, 17U regular practice 4:30 pm

Wednesday: 7:00 pm, 17U warmups, Kilauea gym. 8:00 pm 17U vs. Lakeside (PAA League). 

Thursday: Shooting practice 3:30 pm, regular practice 4:30 pm

Friday: 6:00 pm, 17U warmups, Kilauea gym. 7:00 pm game.

Remaining schedule will be posted later. CAL League and PAA League will have updated game schedule.

Update Tuesday, 10:30 am: NEED A HEAD COUNT - who's coming to practice (Tue/Thur) and 17U games (Wed/Fri). Yes or no, which days. If we don't have enough for games, I'll have to find more players. So please let me know ASAP.

CAL scheduling

Word from CAL League is they will try to help us with our scheduling request to have games on Saturday afternoons and none on Sundays. But they said it's not a guarantee since there are teams that can only play on Sundays. Wish it was simpler, we just do what we can, the best we can, 100% all the way!

Mahalo to Greydon and the CAL League for always, always helping us. 

Video: 13U vs Tar Heels

Close, tight game most of the way against (maybe) the best 13U team in the state. Our guys worked hard. Proud of our 13U! This was our first loss in that age group since the NJB Classic in July, second loss in the last 11 games. Both have been to the same team.

This week

Monday: Practice, 4:30 pm

Tuesday: Shooting practice 3:30 pm, regular practice 4:30 pm

Wednesday: 17U vs. Lakeside.

Remaining schedule will be posted later. CAL League and PAA League will have updated game schedule.

15U almost pulls it out (Mon update)

Great effort today from 15U. I was just glad we didn't forfeit. Our older 15U guys - no shows. No Felix, no Yong. Brent was at Roosevelt's game at Ikaika League. Wilson? The rest are in football season. So we had Tanielu, Kyle, Chris, Sierra, Kodee and Sifo. That's most of our 13U team, not counting Sifo, who turns 14 next week.

We trailed Crush 9-2, then came back to lead at halftime 23-17. Then we ran out of gas and fell behind 33-28 at the end of the third quarter. The lead went back and forth in the fourth quarter, but fatigue, lack of rebounding — Crush has two 6-3 guys —and some turnovers on the fastbreak hurt us.

We could list a bunch of excuses about being so young or lacking enough subs. But really, we could've won this game. We'll learn to play smarter, learn from our experiences and beat bigger teams. I just hope that happens starting now.

Pizza time at the park. I'm in the parking lot at Makiki Pizza Hut. Four pizzas on the way. 17U will join us (I hope) at 6:00 for pizza and practice.

Fun Sunday, even with the loss. We're getting better and the younger Thunder are working hard every day.

Update 9:00 pm: Just back from post-game practice and pizza. The kids had a lot of energy after pizza, but boy, were they pooped after that 8-minute scrimmage. That's one thing I love about our guys (and girls): they can't get enough basketball!

Things never seem to get completely calm when there are three teams. Now it's our 13U that is having trouble with numbers (same since the fall league started). Tanielu and Chris are going to miss Sunday games (and practices) from now on, parents' orders. So that will leave us with four or five players for Sunday games.

There's not much I can do except ask the CAL League for more help, but they've already accommodated us. We asked for no Saturday morning or early afternoon games (to help Kyle, who has church). We asked for no Friday or Saturday night games since a bunch of our guys, including Sifo, have football games. (And I work those nights, too.) Add to that our missing girls (they have their 808 teams to play for), missing guys (Jared in Pop Warner football, Little Paul banned from basketball by his dad for bad grades last quarter, Bill pulled out).

Am I forgetting anybody? Jerson is back, and he brought two friends to practice, but they didn't return.

So the problems continue. It isn't hopeless though. Loto and Dean helped out with practice this afternoon. We got some kinks worked out with boxing out, low-post position — things that hurt us in the loss to the Crush today — and we worked on some new, very simple high-post offensive sets. It's the old '1-4' offense we used for our first Thunder team in KAC. Plays '45' and '42'. Any team with two good offensive scorers can put the plays to great use from the elbows.

And better yet, we have a new player, Kamakani. She's 11, learning the system quickly. She plays for 808 and also plays club volleyball. So if she makes it to practice and games, and Pilly and JJ (Jerson's pals) make it, we'll have a decent number of 13U players. Then I'll only have to worry about the 15U and 17U numbers. (17U plays Lakeside on Wednesday.)

But, all in all, I'm not going worry. It's not in my hands. All I can do is ask for help, and however things work out, I have to live with it and move forward. Some kids love to work on their game every day. Most don't. That's what I've learned in 31 years since I started coaching. I can't stop someone from becoming as great as he or she can be on the basketball court. I also can't stop anyone from being lazy and being mediocre.

That's one of the beautiful things about basketball. What you put in is what you get out of it. I create a system that can result in 80 points per game if we have the skilled players and depth. If everyone works each day at it. I still believe we'll get there one day. When? I don't know.

Update, Monday 11:00 am: CAL League said they'd try to help with our schedule and have more of our games on Saturdays, but there are never guarantees. But it's great that they want to help accommodate us. Again.

15U vs Crush today - enough players?

Our 15U is 2-0 in the CAL League so far this fall.

But we need more guys today. Right now, Chris, Tanielu and Kyle are definitely there. The maybe list: Felix, Yong, Sierra, Sifo, Brent ... We don't know if we'll have enough players. How bizarre is that.

Haven't heard back from Felix or Yong. Sierra has other things today. Brent, don't know. I don't have his phone number. Sifo may not play, don't know, that's what Chris says. Sean, haven't seen him at practice in months. Kodee is on the roster, haven't asked her to come to 15U yet. She might be busy, too.

Again, it's the 13U guys who are consistently at practice and games. The 15U ... not sure what to do with them. They get to play a lot of basketball, but hardly show up, and I'm talking about Felix and Yong in particular. (Wilson never shows up anymore.)

It's beyond frustrating. I'm not even mad anymore. I just hope and pray to see kids get involved and enjoy the awesomeness of basketball. They're around. Somewhere.

Work hard, play hard

And we also worked smart and played smart today. The 13U won 38-24 against Laie, a young team with talent and athleticism. But the slippery court was a factor for everybody today. It was the smarter players who still managed to make a difference. Moving without the ball, looking to pass first rather than try to dribble. Everyone who tried to speed dribble or drive from the perimeter today did a cartoon slippety-slip.

It's not ideal, but there's not a lot anyone can do to fix the problem except wet-mop the court every so often. It's good to have a great league to play in where the commissioner takes the time to wet-mop the court; other gyms and leagues we play in don't go that far to help you guys.

But the game today was a test of the mind, and we had good patience, good trust in each other. Moving without the ball is something our 13U does pretty well, always has. That's always going to make the game easier and more efficient.

Thanks to Coach Eric and Coach Roy for being at the park with the Thunder after the game. I think almost everybody went there. (I had to go to Waipahu for work.) Without Eric and Roy, there's no way our 13U can get all this extra time to play and practice on a nice Saturday afternoon.

Sunday, our 15U plays Crush. We might be missing some guys who have a Roosevelt game in the late afternoon, so it's ALL HANDS ON DECK time again. Warmups for 15U are at 2:20, Kilauea gym. If you need a ride, text or call me (551-1054) early.

After the game, we'll meet at the park 6:00 pm (or earlier) for pizza and a short 17U practice.

Daily schedule

Friday
3:30 pm shooting practice
4:30 pm regular practice. I leave at 5:30. Coach Roy (and hopefully Coach Eric) will stay late. Note: He works late on Fridays, so he might not be there until later. But I'll be there for the early part.

Saturday
1:30 pm 13U warmups at Kilauea gym
2:20 pm 13U vs. Laie. If you need a ride, let me know and we'll meet at Makiki Park.

Sunday
2:20 pm 15U warmups at Kilauea gym
3:20 pm 15U vs. Crush. If you need a ride, let me know and we'll meet at Makiki Park
5:15 6:00 pm 17U practice

Monday
3:30 pm shooting practice
4:30 pm regular practice

Tuesday
3:30 pm shooting practice
4:30 pm 17U regular practice

Wednesday
4:30 pm shooting practice
6:15 pm 17U leave for Kilauea gym
7:00 pm 17 warmups, Kilauea gym outside court
8:00 pm 17U vs. Lakeside

Video: 17U vs Lanakila

Lack of interior defense hurt us early, but our 'Pippen' defense and a lot of heart got us back in it late in the game.

Part 1


Part 2

Thursday shootathon!

Good workout today, Thunder! John, Chase, Cody, Kyle, Tanielu, Sierra, Jerson and two new 13U players, Pilly and JJ. Got a lot of shooting in today, about 125-150 shots for each shooter, and some man offense reps before I had to go work. Coach Eric and Coach Roy finished up. Thanks for working hard every day, Thunder!

Nearing the century mark for '12

Did a new count of all our games this year. The total: 92. Yeah. Holey moley... that's the combined total from 12U to 18U tournaments, 13U/15U/17U leagues. we'll hit 100 sometime next month.

That 92 might be off by one though. I have to do a recount later. This is the breakdown by age division:

18U - 5 games
17U - 25 games
16U - 23 games
15U - 16 games
14U - 5 games
13U - 13 games
12U - 5 games

There are ups and downs, unavoidable with competition. But the fact that we've managed to get our guys and girls into this many games is a feat in itself — without compromising the quality of our effort.

It won't be long until we're playing NJB 17U ... then CAL Intermediate (January) ... then NJB Spring All-Net and Aiea 16U (or will it be 17U?) and PAA Spring ... then CAL Summer League and on and on. It's not tiring if you love basketball. It's intriguing. Satisfying. Just to see everybody get better as a team and individually. It's satisfying.

A bit too generous

That was a great 20 minutes of basketball by our 17U tonight against the Dolphins. But we needed 30 minutes of great play and couldn't get it.

First off, I apologize to you guys for losing my composure after the game. For the most part, everybody played hard and we made a lot of good plays tonight. But as I said then, I'll say it again: when you're the smaller, younger team, you absolutely MUST play bigger and smarter to compete against the best teams.

The Dolphins had a huge height advantage on us, but it didn't really show until those final 10 minutes. They had the best athlete on the floor, Ola Brown (who played with us occasionally last spring), but he simply beat us down the floor several times, even though he never got a rest and our team got plenty.

We didn't execute offensively in the late stages. Guys didn't know plays. Didn't know where to go. Got in the way. Didn't want to shoot. We didn't execute defensively. What happened to our traps on the Power 10 and 41? Some of us decided to take a break and let everyone else work hard defensively. We let them (again, like against Lanakila) just push us aside or just walk right past us for big rebounds and second-chance baskets in the clutch, when we were trying to stay in the game.

And even though I talked with you about stepping in and taking charges — something we avoided in the game against Lanakila two nights ago — only Tanielu took a charge tonight. John tried a few times and really did a good job of making Ola and his teammates change their shots.

But overall, we were good most of the way, then just stunk it up in the final 5 minutes. We went from a 24-17 halftime lead to a 10-point loss. As one of our coaches, I keep telling you that losses are on the shoulders of the coaches. Players come up with wins. And until we get that chemistry and cohesiveness that comes from practicing plays together, taking 200 shots every day together, we'll continue to struggle to beat good teams.

That's what is probably the most nauseating thing. Despite our youth and lack of practices together (17U especially), we're competing against the best teams on most nights. That's the frustration for me, knowing that we would be 3-0 right now (yes we can beat the Storm, too) if we had real commitment from more guys in 17U.

BRYSON WAS ON FIRE tonight, hit at least five 3-pointers. That's after hardly practicing the past month, but he got his shots in this week, including 200-plus after practice yesterday. I'm not kidding when I say that we have many 17U players who have that potential, but until they all work at it every day, that's all it is. Potential.

My dream is to see each one of the Thunder work each day and surpass any expectations that anyone could've had. Beyond potential. Late August is before us. Soon enough it'll be September, October ... can you pump up 200+ shots every day for the next 10 weeks before high school tryouts? Even with two days off a week, that would be 1,000 shots per week, or 10,000 shots in 10 weeks.

If we ever get back to the running, gunning style of basketball we had as a 15U team more than a year ago, we should be making 10 to 15 (and more) 3-pointers per game. That was always my goal from the start three years ago. But somehow, we haven't gotten there. We still can. I have hope.

But I simply can't beg anymore. I just don't have anything left. I am just tired of begging. Begging you guys to pick up the cups. To put the basketballs in the bag. To bring the cooler out of the gym. To come to practice. I got nothing left. It's just so clear to me that we have a 17U team filled with guys who are really nice and polite, but don't have the extra hunger it takes to become great. They're satisfied with "good enough."

That kills me. I can't beg anymore. After being at the park almost every day since March, I have no fight left. It's up to you guys from here on. I'll be there every day possible, just like Coach Roy. But if you don't see, after tonight, how good you really could be with real work on a daily basis, I don't know how else to convince you. If you can't believe in how great you can be as a player and as a team, I haven't really done my job.

That's what breaks my heart. I didn't do my job. I tried my best, just didn't do it. Not with our 17U.

Final note: PAA League informed me tonight that players can play for more than one team. That means Mike, who is playing for Kalani, can suit up for the Thunder.

Thursday: 3:30 pm, shooting practice. 4:30 regular practice. I leave at 5:30. Coach Roy will stay late.

Friday: 3:30 pm, shooting practice. 4:30 regular practice. I leave at 5:30. Coach Roy (and hopefully Coach Eric) will stay late. Note: He works late on Fridays, so he might not be there until later. But I'll be there for the early part.

Saturday: 13U warmups at Kilauea gym, 1:30 pm. Game vs. Laie at 2:30. If you need a ride, let me know and we'll meet at Makiki Park.

Sunday: 15U warmups at Kilauea gym, 2:20 pm. Game vs. Crush 3:20. If you need a ride, let me know and we'll meet at Makiki Park.

Sunday: 5:15 pm, 17U practice.

Monday & Tuesday: 3:30 pm, shooting practice. 4:30 regular practice.

Wednesday: 17U game.

Game day and this week's menu

Good workout on Tuesday with Sierra, Kyle, Tanielu, Chris, Bryson, Brent, Jerson, Cody and John. We got some much-need reps on our plays, still building chemistry. But all in all it's part of what a team is, just moving forward each day. Most of the Thunder stayed late after practice to get their 200 shots in.

1. I expect everybody to get good grades, and if not, nothing less than a C. But really, if you double-check your homework every night and morning, you will normally get an A or B. Don't be afraid to ask your teachers for help on a daily basis. That's what they are there for! Whatever grades you get, don't stop trying your best. You deserve that effort from yourself.

2. We'll remain involved with leagues through the fall, of course, and for the first time, winter. When the NJB 17U League starts at the end of this month, we'll have a few players back, and that will help. But we've planned this since early spring, and if we have our full lineup (or close to it without our football guys), we'll have plenty. Our coaches are understandably busy with family and work obligations, so we need everybody to pitch in.

When January arrives, we're planning to keep balling. CAL League normally has 15U, 13U, 11U and other age-group divisions in spring, summer and fall. In the winter, they have Intermediate and Elementary Divisions. We'll have an Intermediate team (6th, 7th and 8th graders). I'll be busy with work on many nights (high school basketball season), but with Roy (Kyle's dad) and Eric (Sierra's dad) helping, we can do this.

It'll be the only chance for our current 13U to play in this intermediate division together. By spring, we'll be in CAL's 13U and 15U again, plus other leagues.

Game day! Let's work hard and play hard.

Wednesday (today): 17U - Meet at Makiki Park 4:30 pm or call me (551-1054) if you need a ride. Meet at Kilauea gym by 6:00. Game time 7:00 vs. Dolphins.

Thursday: 3:30 shooting practice. I have to leave around 5:30 for work, but Coach Roy and Coach Eric will stay longer.

Friday: 3:30 shooting practice. I have to leave around 5:30 for work, but Coach Roy and Coach Eric will stay longer.

Saturday: 13U warmups at Kilauea gym, 1:30 pm. Game vs. Laie at 2:30. If you need a ride, let me know and we'll meet at Makiki Park.

Sunday: 15U warmups at Kilauea gym, 2:20 pm. Game vs. Crush 3:20. If you need a ride, let me know and we'll meet at Makiki Park.

Work smart, play smart

That wasn't bad. There was some reason for concern going into our 17U game against Lanakila. Last two times we played them, we played really well (lost close) and really bad (lost by 30). This time, no Mike (playing for Kalani) and no Kaelen (out until the end of August).

So we got smarter. We used our 'Pippen' defense to lock down (or try to) Mikey Kleman and their point guard. The result? We were within 6 points (38-32) with 4 minutes to play. It was similar to our close game against Lanakila during the NJB Classic last month. Again, they pulled away late with big putbacks by Mikey, who is one of the best 17U players in the state, if not the very best.

So we lost, but we played smart, played hard and everybody on the floor hustled like crazy. Thank you, players, for trusting the strategy. We let their secondary players shoot the ball, and it paid off — they missed a whole lot of mid-range and 3-point shots badly — until late in the game when #16 (dunno his name) hit a 3. Other than that, the Pippen worked great and we can use it in other games from now on. I didn't expect us to use it for a whole game, but it worked and we don't change something that's not broken.

Alleck, Mick, Isaiah, Tanielu and Mick — the primary guys who played on-ball deny defense in this defense — did a super job. We made Mikey work hard for every touch of the ball, every shot. He got his share on the fastbreak, but we did pretty good defensive work.

I know Coach Larry was pleased with our effort tonight against an older, bigger team. That's what playing smart can do. Now if we can get back to the whole team working on their skills every day, we'll hit more of the open shots and become a real force: fast and skilled, tough and smart. 

I always look forward to facing the best teams like Lanakila, and with our mix of young and younger guys — all the Thunder on the floor today were 16 or younger — it showed me once again that we're still improving. We're still in position to catch the best teams sooner rather than later.

Our 13U has already beaten Lanakila the last two times, so they're on the right track. When the next year comes, we'll still be competing with the same Thunder. Chemistry will be more fluid and flowing. And hopefully, everyone will be working hard all the time on their skills and competitiveness. The future is very promising.

Next practice: Tuesday, 4:30 pm, Makiki Park.

Wednesday: 17U, 6:00 pm warmups at Kilauea Gym outside court, game 7:00 pm vs. Dolphins. We'll need everyone to step up since Isaiah will not be available. Can do!

Thursday: 3:30 pm shooting practice, 4:30 team practice. I leave at 5:30 to go work; Coach Roy will be there to run practice the final hour or so.

Friday: No practice unless enough players want to work on their shooting. I have to work, so it's up to Coach Roy.

Saturday: 13U warmups at Kilauea Gym outside court 1:30 pm. Game time 2:30 pm vs Laie.

Sunday: 15U warmups, Kilauea GYm outside court 2:20 pm. Game time 3:20 pm vs. Crush.

WHO LUBS THIS GAME?

Sunday afternoon-evening funday

Got some good work at practice with Coach Dean, and Drew was there to help his dad work with our bigs. Always very, very productive when Dean is there. Also got in a lot of work for the guards with midcourt on-ball pressure/traps, which is what saw earlier today from the Tar Heels. Got a lot of PG/Wing work done, too.

This afternoon's workout: Walter, Malosi, Sierra, Kodee, Tanielu, Chris, Kaelen, Jerson. Kyle and Micah were there for awhile before going home. Josh (Maryknoll) also scrimmaged with us at the end.

All in all, a good Sunday. This was our chance to see what needs work and we went right to it. We'll keep improving. That's what great work ethic and love for the game do.

Monday: Meet at 4:30 pm for shooting practice. Then we'll leave by 6:00 for Kaimuki Park gym, maybe get a snack before warmups (7:00) and the 17U game (8:15).

Tuesday: 3:30 shooting drills, 4:30 regular practice. For the injured guys, we went to keep practice on the light side.

Wednesday, 17U plays again (7:00 pm). Warmups at Kilauea 6:00 on the outside court.

Thursday and Friday, practice schedule not set yet. Saturday, 13U has a game in the afternoon (see schedule at right).

Losing to the best makes us better

We had our chances, but in the end, it was another loss to the Tar Heels in 13U. Maybe they're our "nemesis," a very good team that has a spell over us. Or maybe they're just better because they've worked together since they were in a national 10U tourney (and won it) and have kept improving.

All I know is, we were right there for three quarters, within one point, two points, three points. Our defense was playing well. We locked in on all four of their long-range shooters. But now that it's break time before we have pizza and shooting drills at the park, it's time to reflect.

1. With Kyle hurting (hyperextended knee, slight dislocation of the knee cap), Tanielu and Chris hurting (ankle) and several players still learning (or relearning) plays, we were not a good matchup with the Tar Heels. Even though we had them on the ropes in the NJB Classic semifinals, it's tough to match up when key players are hurting.

2. Even with new players and other players who don't practice much with the team, I had opportunities to call our new plays against the Tar Heels' zone and man defenses. But I didn't. Looking back, I should've called each of the plays at least once, but it was difficult to get into our halfcourt offense with the Heels applying tough on-ball pressure against Kyle.

3. Our ballhandling was sub par. Their guards are fairly tall, which negated my desire to put Jerson or Micah at the point so Kyle could go to the high post, where he's very effective. I should've given it a try anyway.

4. We still have a number of players who don't know the most basic plays, such as Princeton. Until we are all in sync on the floor, we will struggle against the best teams instead of scoring as often as we really should.

5. We played great defense for most of the first 3 quarters, locking down on their top shooters. The communication was there and we forced their secondary shooters to take shots. It was good to see our strategy and smarts take effect. We had our new "Pippen" defense ready to go, but we didn't need it, so we'll put that to use another day.

As much as you hear me scolding or yelling, in the end, when a team wins, it's because of the players and when a team loses, it's because the coach didn't make enough adjustments.

The one good thing out of this is that we'll be hungrier. I'm narrowing down our deficiencies, including point guard ballhandling against tough on-ball pressure at midcourt. If and when we improve there with ALL our guards, then we can actually connect the dots. Today, we just couldn't get ball from the perimeter to the low post (Chris and Tanielu).

Another note: I'm not against a clear-out offense where we feed the ball to a scorer on the wing and let him drive several times in a row. I'm not totally for it, either, because it can drain that player for a long time. We may have to do this next time, though, and let Tanielu take command offensively. Kyle was trying his best, but his leg was just not strong and he had to gut it out.

We need Sierra, Jerson, Micah to be ready to take the point against any kind of pressure from any team. That's one of the things we'll work on between now and the next 13U game on Saturday (Aug 25).

THE GOOD THING ABOUT LOSING TO THE BEST TEAM IS THAT YOU LEARN EXACTLY WHAT NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED. Losing hurts — this was only our second 13U loss in the past 11 10 games or so, and both losses were to the same Tar Heels. BUT ... they did us a favor. We know what we need to work on. I hope we get another shot at them in the playoffs.

We also need our injured guys to rest and heal up. For now, let's have some pizza and enjoy the rest of this hot, sunny Sunday afternoon at the park. I'll bring the pizzas in about 5 minutes.

Help on the way

Healing hands work. That's the hope for folks who have a special talent for helping athletes recover from injuries. So Coach Roy had a friend work on Kyle (knee), Chris (ankle), Tanielu (ankle) and Sifo (arm) on Friday night. The results were more than good. Sifo said he can actually use his right hand to grab something for the first time since he got the injury (playing football) on Tuesday.

Tanielu and Chris were raring to go by Saturday morning. I had to slow them down at practice to save their legs for Sunday (13U) and Monday (17U) games. We had a good workout. Sierra, Cody, John, Chase, Tanielu, Chris ... and Jerson. It was great to see him back at practice again, and in the nick of time. Our 13U is low on numbers, so getting him back is timely. He was, today, just like he's always been: a focused, fast learner. 

We went over our new plays: 2K, McDouble and Frenchy. Then we worked on a few new defenses. Maybe we'll use them against the Tar Heels. Maybe not. But it's always better to be prepared rather than underprepared. 

Big thank you (again) to Coach Roy for bringing our Kalihi boys to practice and taking them home. Also, mahalos to Ron (Chase's dad) and Eric (Sierra's dad) for treating the team to shave ice and lunch on a hot day. 

Game day is here. Let's work hard and play hard! 

Game is 2:30 pm at Kilauea gym. Warmups 1:30 pm. 

Then we'll have practice (for the 15U and 17U) after that, 4:30 pm at Makiki Park. Then dinner. 

17U plays on Monday, 8:15 pm, Kaimuki Park gym against Lanakila. Be there by 7:00 pm for warmups on the outside court.

17U plays on Wednesday, 7:00 pm, Kilauea Gym against the Dolphins. Be there by 6:00 for warmups outside court. 

Video: 13U vs Lanakila

Back-to-back games on Sunday gave our 13U (who also play 15U) a heavy load, but they were up to the challenge against a good Lanakila squad.

Wednesday shooting gallery

Good workout today. Some guys took a much-needed break to heal up. So we had Walter, Ryan, Kyle, Sierra at practice. Even (retired) Little Paul was there. Everyone got at least 200 shots today. Good work!

Shooting practice with Coach Roy tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday, 4:30 pm. Looks like I'll be busy all Thursday afternoon/night with photos at Radford (last-minute announcement) and a game at Aloha Stadium.

17U practice Saturday 10:00 am. We may practice with the younger teams in the afternoon. Text me 551-1054.

Video: Scouting report Tar Heels 13U

Scouting report on Tar Heels 13U is loading online (as of 3:05 pm) and should be ready by 3:30 pm. Click at this link for the video then. We play them on Sunday. I LUB THIS GAME.

Update 11:25 pm: The earlier upload didn't work. Stopped at 83%, boo. But I tried again after I got home from practice and dinner.

Video: 15U vs Blue Devils II

Sifo was on fire early and we played solid team defense — lots of transition buckets by Tanielu — to beat Blue Devils II.

Video: Summer potluck picnic

Jammin'

Good workout today for 17U. We needed that. Repped on the new plays, cleaned up the inbounds plays, got 30 minutes of scrimmaging in. Cody, Chase, Mike, John, Chris, Tanielu, Kyle, Isaiah, Brent, Bryson, Mick.

Kyle still out with a hyperextended knee, but he's moving OK. Tanielu hurt his ankle again, but he's walking.

Shooting practice for all (17U, 15U, 13U) tomorrow/Wednesday, Thursday at 3:30 pm. Regular practice 4:30. Friday: I work early so it'll be Coach Roy at 4:30.

SATURDAY 17U-only practice 10:00 am. We'll have lunch at 12, and if anybody wants shooting drills in the afternoon, we can start again around 1:30, and Coach Roy and Kyle can join us then.

SUNDAY, 13U vs. Tar Heels, 2:30 pm, Kilauea gym.

MONDAY, 17U vs. Lanakila, 7:00 pm, Kaimuki Park gym.

LUB THIS GAME!

Waiting, waiting ...

Four guys waiting for the rest of 17U. And I forgot to grab the basketballs out of Coach Roy's car after practice yesterday. But Roy just arrived (5:10 pm) with Kyle, Tanielu and Chris. Hallelujah!

Update 5:15 pm: Rough Riders in the house. Now we have Cody, Chase, Mike, John, Chris, Tanielu, Kyle, Isaiah, Brent, Bryson, Mick. Biggest 17U turnout in a month or so. Let's ball!

Video: 17U vs UHS

First game in the Pa‘a League. Thunder 17U against the Jr. 'Bows in a tight finish.

Video: 15U vs Kupaa

Thunder 15U in the CAL League, fall season opener, against Kupaa. Close game all the way. 

Highlights

Monday practice

Tanielu, Chris, Walter, Ryan, Sierra. Sierra caught the bus to practice. That's one of the reasons why Thunder 13U beats good teams despite having only six, seven players. Heart. Lots of it. Kyle (hyperextended knee) made it to practice later. The rest of the players got about 200 shots today, everything from mid-range to 3-pointer to low-post work (Chris, Tanielu). Good workout.

17U PRACTICE TUESDAY

For 17U only.

Tuesday
3:30 pm shooting practice
4:30 pm regular practice

This practice is for the older players and the reserves (some are younger).

IF YOU CANNOT MAKE PRACTICE, CALL ME AT 551-1054. We are already in Pa‘a League 17U. We were planning to enter NJB All-Net at the end of August. However, we need COMMITMENT.

If we don't have 17U guys turning out at practice, I don't see the value in having a second 17U team (in NJB) and paying $550. We don't even have that money; we have about half of it. The rest has already gone toward paying entry fees for the other teams. For 17U to have a SECOND team and not show up for practice in the next week, there's no way. $550 is a LOT of money. I'm only willing to ask parents to make up the difference if you guys are willing to be at practice.

Our 17U has made a lot of progress in the offseason, placing second in the Aiea 16U League, second in the NJB Summer Classic 17U Division. The past two months, though, have been a lot of no-show action, guys not working on their games. Guys not showing up long before our 13U got started.

But if you want to have practices to yourselves as 17U, we'll do that at least twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with some Sundays mixed in.

It's all up to you now. You can work on your game every day. Get your 200 shots in. Plus 50 free throws. Help yourself and your school team improve. Or you can sit on your butt and stagnate. Nobody can teach you to be hungry. Either you want it or you don't. Most people aren't willing to put in the sweat. They settle for mediocrity.

Is that who you are?

Sunday Funday

First, props to our 15U for a solid win over a good Blue Devils II team this morning.

Sifo was on fire from long range early on — no surprise because he was hitting in warmups — and we played solid defense and rebounded fairly well the rest of the way. It's the versatility of our guys that makes slight adjustments so successful.

Sifo at the wing, driving and dishing to Tanielu and Chris ... Sifo at the high post, working inside with the brothers on the low post rebounding — it's a highly effective recipe and takes the pressure off our outside shooters when they aren't hitting over a zone.

Then our 13U met up with Lanakila, a team we barely beat just a few weeks ago in the same CAL League (summer version). This time, we were thin, with only Walter and Ryan on the bench, and Ryan has lots of plays to learn. (I know he'll get there eventually.) Without our older guys on 15U (Yong, Felix, Sifo, Brent), our younger guys had to bite the bullet and gut it out. We had a 14-point lead in the first half, but the Blue Devils chipped away and got within 3. But we found a way to win.

When we put Micah on the top and moved Kyle to the high post in the second half, the defense didn't have a real answer. Their big man had to help on Chris and Tanielu, leaving Kyle open on the high post, and he did well.

So we got two wins, and then it was off to our team potluck picnic. Parking at Ala Moana Beach Park was rough. I had no idea. But by 3:00 we finally settled in and had a great time. Big, big mahalos to all our parents who worked so hard to give our boys and girls a fun time. Tables, tents/canopies, home-cooked food, coolers, ice, refreshments, and even a kayak! It was fun to see all the kids just doing what they do best — having fun — and enjoying time together away from basketball.

It was satisfying. So was the food! Thank you, Sifo's grandma, for the homemade birthday cake! It was a birthday I'll always remember. In the end, all of us grownups get our joy from seeing the kids having a great time together, whether it's playing touch football on the grass or digging sand on the beach. Not much else in life like seeing kids just feeling happy.

Sifo asked if we could do another picnic next week. I think Auntie Char's suggestion is more likely: a Christmas-time potluck picnic.

Thanks everybody! Back on the court tomorrow, 3:30 pm shooting practice, 4:30 pm regular practice.

Tuesday: 17U practice 3:30 (shooting) and 4:30 (regular).

Wednesday: 13U/15U practice 3:30 (shooting) and 4:30 (regular).

Mentally tough

Nice win for our 15U against a gritty, young Kupaa team today (Friday), 30-25. They zoned us at times, especially when they couldn't contain our man offense. Sifo did a nice job getting inside and drawing fouls, as usual. When the outside shot isn't falling, going inside is always a wise strategy.

We had our share of open looks from deep and didn't hit, but those are shots we'll continue to take in the flow of our offense — when we have rebounders in the paint. Kupaa had a lot of open 3s, too, and struggled. Our defense on the 3-point line was not good to start, but we got smarter and better by the second half. Even Chris closed out on a shooter in the corner, racing from the middle of the key to force the shooter into an air ball.

That was one of our defensive highlights. Defense will carry us, as will smart offense when the outside shots aren't dropping.

Tomorrow (Sunday), it's a 15U/13U doubleheader in the morning. Fun, fun, fun! Then our team potluck picnic at Ala Moana Park. If you plan to attend, but haven't been in touch, text or call me (551-1054). We'll be on the ewa side of the park, probably on the grassy park area.

In this house...

Potluck picnic update

THUNDER POTLUCK PICNIC

Sunday, 1:00 pm, Ala Moana Park (ewa end)

Utensils/Plates/Napkins/Cups: Plates (Ogoshis)

Furniture: Tables (Bertholds)

Meat: Teriyaki (Ogoshis), hot dog (Ogosos), chili/rice and Chinese chicken salad (Kekalunas)

Starch (rice, potato salad, etc): Potato salad (Ogoshis), musubi (Ogosos)

Dessert: TBA (Ogosos)

Refreshments: Gatorade/cooler (Coach Paul), cooler (Bertholds)

Hibachi/Grill: 

(note: Coach Bo works until 2:30, so we need a grill/hibachi)

Blankets/Towels (so we can sit):

Portable chairs:

Tent: Kekalunas

Extra: Canopy (Ogoshis), kayak (Bertholds); water balloon toss (Kekalunas)

Request: Tug of war rope (haha)

Schedule

Friday, Aug. 10

4:30 pm Practice (Coach Roy)

Saturday, Aug. 11

2:30 pm 15U leave for Kilauea gym

3:00 pm 15U warmups, Kilauea gym outside court

4:00 pm 15U vs. Kupaa, Kilauea gym

Sunday, Aug. 12

8:45 am Leave Makiki Park for Kilauea gym

9:20 am Warmups, Kilauea gym outside court

10:20 am 15U vs. Blue Devils II, Kilauea Gym

11:10 am 13U vs. Lanakila, Kilauea Gym

1:00 pm Thunder potluck team picnic, Ala Moana Park

Monday, Aug. 13 to Saturday, Aug. 18

Practice and updated Pa'a schedule to be announced

Saturday, Aug. 18

4:00 pm 17U leave for Kaneohe Gym

5:00 pm 17U warmups, Kaneohe Gym outside court

6:00 pm 17U vs. Kapolei, Kaneohe Gym

(Error by Pa‘a League. Will be rescheduled)

Sunday, Aug. 19

1:00 pm 13U leave for Kilauea gym

1:30 pm 13U warmups, Kilauea gym outside court

2:30 pm 13U vs. Tar Heels, Kilauea gym

Wednesday, Aug. 22

5:30 pm 17U leave for Kilauea gym

6:00 pm 17U warmups, Kilauea gym outside court

7:00 pm 17U vs. Dolphins, Kilauea gym

Wednesday, Aug. 29

6:30 pm 17U leave for Kilauea gym

7:00 pm 17U warmups, Kilauea gym outside court

8:00 pm 17U vs. Lakeside, Kilauea gym

Saturday, Sept. 8

Pending Pa‘a League correction

1:15 pm 17U leave for McCully Gym

1:45 pm 17U warmups, McCully Gym outside court

2:45 pm 17U vs. Falcons (Kalani), McCully Gym

Thursday, Sept. 13

4:45 pm 17U leave for Kilauea gym

5:15 pm 17U warmups, Kilauea gym outside court

6:15 pm 17U vs. Stangs (Kalaheo), Kilauea gym

Saturday, Sept. 15

Pending Pa‘a League correction

9:45 am 17U leave for Kilauea gym

10:15 am 17U warmups, Kilauea gym outside court

11:15 am 17U vs. Falcons (Kalani), Kilauea gym

Learning on a Stormy night

Loss to a good Storm team in 17U revealed a few things tonight. One, our older guys are still out of shape. Two, the less our older guys practice with the team, the worse our execution. Three, our younger players play well in spots, but for them, this 17U league is more about gaining experience and confidence.

I'd really like us to play the Storm again (playoffs?), but we need to get our chemistry going again. Our current 17U lineup is good enough to compete with weaker teams. But the better teams, even with just 5 players (like the Storm) exploit our defense when we don't apply on-ball pressure.

Next time, we'll go man defense on them halfcourt ... but tonight showed that we struggle to do this even out of a zone. So we need to work on it. A lot. And that hasn't been happening in the weeks since the NJB Summer Classic ended.

One day, I still hope, we'll have 10 players for each of our age groups (13U, 15U, 17U) at practice every day, working on their shooting, ballhandling and scrimmaging strong. I know it's hard to find 30 dedicated athletes in any sport, but I can dream.

15U plays Saturday afternoon, and 13U and 15U play Sunday morning.

FRIDAY: Coach Roy will start practice at 4:30, Makiki Park. I'll be working all afternoon and night. Enjoy! I LUB THIS GAME!

Pa‘a League schedule update

They've released the schedule for the first four weeks. See the list at the right-side column. No games in Kaneohe. No repeat game against the Falcons.

Potluck Update

THUNDER POTLUCK PICNIC

Sunday, 1:00 pm, Ala Moana Park (ewa end)

Utensils/Plates/Napkins/Cups: Plates (Ogoshis)

Furniture: Tables (Bertholds)

Meat: Teriyaki (Ogoshis), hot dog (Ogosos)

Starch (rice, potato salad, etc): Potato salad (Ogoshis), musubi (Ogosos)

Dessert: TBA (Ogosos)

Refreshments: Gatorade/cooler (Coach Paul), cooler (Bertholds)

Hibachi/Grill: 

(note: Coach Bo works until 2:30, so we need a grill/hibachi)

Blankets/Towels (so we can sit):

Portable chairs:

Extra: Canopy (Ogoshis), kayak (Bertholds)

Tuesday Thunder

Solid workout, Thunder! We walked Ryan (10) through some of the zone and man offense, plus pressbreaker #1. Even though we stayed halfcourt to the end, Tanielu still managed to twist his ankle. Hopefully, he'll be OK for Thursday's 17U game. PRACTICE WED 4:30 pm. Coach Roy will be there. I'll be back from Kahuku around 5:30-6:00.

Tuesday's practice, we had Cody, Yong, Felix, Tanielu, Kyle, Chris, Micah, Walter, Ryan with Coach Larry, Coach Roy and myself.

‎17U - We all worked hard and raised money to play in these fall leagues, but that doesn't mean you — our older players 16 and 17 — should duck out of practice. We need to get some togetherness going if we're going to compete and win. Ducking out of practice for almost all of the past three weeks ... we don't run sprints or suicides, so what is the problem?

BE THERE.

Here's a new zone (and man) offense play for you.

Video: 13U vs Hawaii Kai

Took awhile to catch up with work being crazy busy. But here's the 13U game against Hawaii Kai, our Gold Division opponent. We pulled away in the second half for a 33-22 win.

13U players, parents (updated)

Need your (championship) T-shirt sizes and need to know which parents want to buy shirts ($10). Shirts will be free for players and coaches (see below).

Here's what I have. Please let me know what sizes by today (Tuesday). Call or text me 551-1054.

*Updated 8/8

L - Chris Afe
L - Tanielu Afe
Children M - Walter Berthold
Children M - Paul Do
Children L - Jared Elwin
L - Sifo Lauvao
M - Kyle Moraga
Children M - Mackie Mosca
L - Jenna Reformina
M - Kodee Viena
S - Micah Visoria

Coaches
XL - Paul Honda
XL - Larry Visoria
L - Roy Moraga
XL - Loto Lauvao
XL - Bo Kekaluna

Sunday Potluck Picnic

Sunday (Aug 12), 1:00 pm at Ala Moana Park. Walter's dad, Mark, has already offered the use of all kinds of picnic necessities like tables. Yeeeehaaaw!

Tanielu started asking about a potluck a month ago. Then Coach Bo said he wanted to barbeque. So now we're starting to roll.

The 15U and 13U have games Sunday morning at Kilauea Gym. They'll be done by noon or so. We need to get a list going, so here goes:

Utensils/Plates/Napkins/Cups:

Meat:

Starch (rice, potato salad, etc):

Dessert:

Refreshments:

Hibachi/Grill:

Blankets/Towels (so we can sit):

Portable chairs:

Mark is also bringing a volleyball net. Please have fun and avoid getting hurt. Deal?

Update 1:00 pm: My mistake. Mark doesn't have a net, but says Cliff (Jared's dad) may have one.

Video: Sunday Shootaround

A breezy afternoon at Makiki Park won't stop a group of focused shooters.

This week's schedule (updated)

This combines our CAL and Pa‘a League schedules for 13U, 15U and 17U. There are some spots that are iffy: 1) Pa‘a League assured me we would NOT have any games at Kaneohe Gym, but there it is, a game there on Aug. 18; 2) Pa‘a League has us playing the Falcons (Kalani) twice. That doesn't make sense because it's an 11-team league and there are other teams not on the schedule for us.

My guess is the schedule is not complete. Since the schedule that was sent out Sunday night only goes up to Sept. 15, there might be more to it. I'm waiting for a response from Pa‘a (Lloyd Lee).

I LUB THIS GAME.

Update, Monday, 8:00 pm: Pa‘a League said they're going to fix both problems. No game at Kaneohe and we will not play the same team (Falcons) twice on the pre-playoff schedule. (If we assume there are playoff games.)

Monday, Aug. 6
No practice (I have to work all afternoon)

Tuesday, Aug. 7
4:30 pm Shooting practice & regular practice (I have to work until then).

Wednesday, Aug. 8
5:30 pm Practice (I work at Kahuku until 4:30 pm)

Thursday, Aug. 9

4:30 pm Shooting practice (Coach Roy)
6:00 pm 17U leave for Kilauea gym
6:45 pm 17U warmups, Kilauea gym outside court
7:45 pm 17U vs Storm

Friday, Aug. 10
No practice (I have to work)

Saturday, Aug. 11
2:30 pm 15U leave for Kilauea Gym
3:00 pm 15U warmups, Kilauea Gym outside court
4:00 pm 15U vs. Kupaa, Kilauea Gym

Sunday, Aug. 12
10:20 am 15U vs. Blue Devils II, Kilauea Gym
11:10 am 13U vs. Lanakila, Kilauea Gym
1:00 pm Thunder potluck team picnic, Ala Moana Park

Monday, Aug. 13 to Saturday, Aug. 18

Practice and updated Pa'a schedule to be announced

Saturday, Aug. 18
4:00 pm 17U leave for Kaneohe Gym
5:00 pm 17U warmups, Kaneohe Gym outside court
6:00 pm 17U vs. Kapolei, Kaneohe Gym
(Error by Pa‘a League. Will be rescheduled)

Sunday, Aug. 19
1:00 pm 13U leave for Kilauea Gym
1:30 pm 13U warmups, Kilauea Gym outside court
2:30 pm 13U vs. Tar Heels, Kilauea Gym

Wednesday, Aug. 22
5:30 pm 17U leave for Kilauea Gym
6:00 pm 17U warmups, Kilauea Gym outside court
7:00 pm 17U vs. Dolphins (AOP), Kilauea Gym

Wednesday, Aug. 29
6:30 pm 17U leave for Kilauea Gym
7:00 pm 17U warmups, Kilauea Gym outside court
8:00 pm 17U vs. Lakeside, Kilauea Gym

Saturday, Sept. 8
Pending Pa‘a League correction
1:15 pm 17U leave for McCully Gym
1:45 pm 17U warmups, McCully Gym outside court
2:45 pm 17U vs. Falcons (Kalani), McCully Gym

Thursday, Sept. 13
4:45 pm 17U leave for Kilauea Gym
5:15 pm 17U warmups, Kilauea Gym outside court
6:15 pm 17U vs. Stangs (Kalaheo), Kilauea Gym

Saturday, Sept. 15

Pending Pa‘a League correction

9:45 am 17U leave for Kilauea Gym
10:15 am 17U warmups, Kilauea Gym outside court
11:15 am 17U vs. Falcons (Kalani), Kilauea Gym

CAL schedule released (update)

This is only for the first two weeks in 15U and 13U. More coming from the league later. I won't be able to coach Friday's game due to work, but hopefully Coach Larry, Coach Loto and/or Coach Roy can step in. You guys will do fine no matter who's coaching. But I'm hoping to make it somehow.

Update 9:05 pm: Thank God for CAL and league director Greydon Espinda. He has always, always tried to help the teams, including the Thunder, when it comes to scheduling. Earlier in the summer, he helped us humongously with scheduling while we were in the NJB Classic. Now, he's helping us with our Friday night schedule since I work on Friday and Saturday nights.

Friday, Aug. 10
13U vs. Lanakila, 7:00 pm, McCully Gym

Saturday, Aug. 11
15U vs. Kupaa, 4:00 pm, Kilauea Gym

Sunday, Aug. 12
15U vs. Blue Devils II, 10:20 am, Kilauea Gym
15U vs. Kupaa, 11:10 am, Kilauea Gym
13U vs. Lanakila, 11:10 am, Kilauea Gym

Sunday, Aug. 19
13U vs. Tar Heels, 2:30 pm, Kilauea Gym

Photo: Greydon Espinda
2012 Compete & Learn 13U Silver Division Champions
Front: Kodee Viena, Mackie Mosca, Jared Elwin, Paul Do, Tanielu Afe;
Back: Chris Afe, Kyle Moraga, Micah Visoria, Walter Berthold, Sifo Lauvao.
Missing: Jenna Reformina.

All net all the time

Sunday shootathon. I'll be back from the Leeward side by 4:00 and start shooting practice at Makiki Park then. Minimum 200 shots, 50 free throws. That's the simple goal for today.

Monday, Aug. 6

No practice (I have to work all afternoon)

Tuesday, Aug. 7

4:30 pm Shooting practice & regular practice (I have to work until then). 

Wednesday, Aug. 8

No practice (I have to work all afternoon)

Thursday, Aug. 9

3:00 pm Shooting practice

4:30 pm 13U/15U regular practice

6:00 pm 17U leave for Kilauea gym

6:45 pm 17U warmups, Kilauea gym outside court

7:45 pm 17U vs Storm

Friday, Aug. 10

No practice (I have to work)

CAL 13U, 15U game(s)? TBA

Saturday, Aug. 11

Game? TBA

Sunday, Aug. 12

Game? TBA

Basketball never ends

Chris and Tanielu did low-post footwork (offense) and about 200 shots each Saturday afternoon at Makiki Park. Chris says it's more like 300 shots. Maybe. But they're working as usual after a game. Basketball never stops? Only for the most dedicated. I lub this game.