Video: 12U vs. Islanderz

Part 1


Part 2


I really enjoyed this game. Not the turnovers or other mistakes, of course, but I liked the hustle, the teamwork. Our pressbreaker was 100% successful when we ran it, when we cut and move the ball wisely. Each time we play, we get better, we get smarter and we keep playing fast.

We could go faster (and we will each week), but this is not bad for game 2 in the Aiea League. As I get older, I realize more and more it's best not to say a whole lot about any game until I get a chance to watch the video. I saw a LOT of good decisions by Ryan Higashionna, Micah Visoria. Big Micah (Tong) plays with consistent confidence that comes from a lot of hard work. Nobody makes free throw after free throw after free throw like that without putting in reps. The hours. It's an awesome thing.

Joshua, if you didn't notice, scored seven points in a row once we went to a spread in the final couple of minutes and the game went from a 36-33 lead to a 43-33 lead. Josh and Big Micah are getting more comfortable with the pressbreaker, and as they mesh more and more with our returnees, I really have a lot of optimism for our 12U (and 13U) team.

Javan is also getting more into the flow, as I expected. Same with Felcris, who is probably the least experienced of our guys. Walter is confident and is going to help us a lot as he keeps playing. He's probably one of the youngest players in the league (just turned 11), as usual, but I like how he ran 6-Ball once he got into the game during the first half.

Kalai Kuia - Can you see how much potential he has? He's gifted with size and coordination. He's just hungry and ready to put in the time to become the best teammate and player he can be. He's a great listener. All he needs are the reps, the encouragement (from all of us) and his own determination to keep working at his game one shot, one drill, one hour, one day at a time. He's so coachable, and that will speed his progress.

Malosi Viena is just starting to learn the plays. His whole game is about instincts and his instincts are good a lot of the time, and you guys have seen how deadly his 3-point shot is. He's just 10, but I think he's going to develop really well with more practice time. I'd really like to see how he would do in a faster game, focusing on transition 3-pointers. His shooting form is so good.

The halfcourt offense and defense were not bad. We have work to do, more so with positioning and the physical part of the game — getting leverage while keeping balance. The Islanderz are bigger than us overall and far more willing to push and dive for loose balls, so that's another thing for us to improve on. But on the whole, JOB WELL DONE, THUNDER. That was fun (again).

WE LUB THIS GAME!