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!