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.
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