Four hours after we tipped off against OTB's 13U team, the Thunder 15U played OTB at Palama Gym. We led 14-5 as Tone dominated in the low post ... then it was a sloppy, ugly mess after that with a few highlights mixed in.
It came down to this: We turned the ball over again and again against their two guards pressing at midcourt. That's basically it. We prepared for this at practice recently, spending 30 minutes working on ballhandling against traps. We still need to do this drill. A lot. Today was just a vivid example of a group of mostly inexperienced players really spinning out of control against a defense that hardly did much to create havoc.
Some simple things to remember next time (Monday, actually) any defense sends two trappers to the middle of the court on our ballhandler.
1. Immediate cut to the high post/top of the key. It can be a wing or low post, but someone's got to cut. When we did this, we got layups.
2. If you pass to the wing, or dribble up the sideline, don't stop in their trap zone. Keep your dribble, keep your head up and hit an open man in the middle.
3. If you're on the wing and the defender leaves you to trap, call for the ball. LOUDLY.
I'm looking forward to Monday's game with OTB (PAA Tournament). They're good. But we can be so much better than we were today. I expect a total turnaround and a lot more fun come Monday night at Kaimuki Park gym.
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