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).