Small ball is speed ball

Clarification: OK, this is the breakdown for 17U in the Pa'a League, which begins this weekend...

Kaimuki HS does NOT have a team in the league, which means Jerry, JayAre, Tai, Kency, Kenny all are eligible to play with the Thunder. That's the good news.

The bad news: Kalani has a team in the Pa'a League. I didn't even realize it, not having studied the schedule. Mike mentioned at practice today that Kalani is in it, and sure enough, when I took another look at the schedule, there they are. So we lose Mike for the Pa'a League.

Good news #2: When NJB starts its Fall league (17U), we'll have all our guys together again. Hopefully.

For now, we are literally short on big men. Kaelen is out until late August. John is still on his mainland trip (until next week). We don't have Mike. So it's on all our guards and forwards to get tough under the basket and play smart. We'll maximize our strengths — speed, shooting, passing — and spread the court against those bigger, slower teams any time we get the lead.

Always up for the challenge! I LUB THIS GAME.

Note: Just got word from the CAL League today that after the Fall League, they will resume play in January with Intermediate and Elementary Divisions. This is different from their usual 15U/13U/11U format in boys hoops. What it means is, if you are eighth grade or younger, you play for your team's Intermediate squad. If you are fifth grade or younger, you play with the Elementary squad.

I decided to look into this because we have teams younger than high school for the first time. Instead of sitting idle during the winter season while the high school guys play their games, we'll stay busy with our guys who are currently playing 13U/12U.

Note #2: It looks like slim pickins for our 15U roster this fall. Though we'll have numbers with our 13U guys playing "up" in age group, we could use a couple of guys who can help on the boards and perimeter shooting. And ballhandling. We're going to be (still) quite inexperienced, though we are definitely improving. So if you have friends who are willing to be committed, please bring them to practice before CAL 15U begins next week.