JV: Thunder 44, Chargers 40, OT

Grateful. Chris Afe went down with an injury during a game tonight at the Pearl City JV League. Haven't seen that kind of instant, humongous swelling on a leg before, below his knee. He was in major pain, couldn't bend the knee.

We took him to Pali Momi, the x-rays came out good. Doc said she was worried there was a fracture because of all the swelling. But it's "only" a bruise and should heal within two weeks. Maybe it was a miracle. Maybe not. But I feel grateful. A hard-working kid making a great hustle play. I was just praying it would be a best-case scenario under those circumstances. Grateful. He's got the heart of a warrior.

As for the game, we led 26-13 at halftime with an ironman five of Sierra, Kyle, Tone, Sifo and Chris. In fact, we had just four until Sierra arrived at game time. She got to the game just in time thanks to her dad (Eric), who drove her from the Kalaheo girls league. Once Chris got hurt (while trying to chase and  block the shot of another player), we gradually lost that lead. 

But our guys played with great heart and gutted it out, even after Pearl City took a 40-39 lead (their first lead) with less than a minute left. Huge props to the Thunder playing with just four players for so much of the game, including OT. Tone hit the game winner on a putback for the win. (First team to score 3 points in OT wins the game.) Then we took Chris straight to Pali Momi. 

Keep praying for a smooth healing for Chris. Our 13U and 12U guys work so hard and have so much maturity and love for the game, and the way they get along, they're such a good group of guys. They all want Chris back on the court, but that'll come in due time, God willing.