We were down about 7 at halftime, but I wasn't worried. It was just some missed layups. Overall, we were moving the ball pretty well and playing solid defense once we started closing out on Mililani's long-range shooters.
Big win for the Thunder as all kinds of people stepped up to make it a victorious night. Drake bounced back from a recent illness to make some key defensive plays in the second half that help us take the lead. Chase is learning on the fly and his defensive coverage made our Sonic defense work well in the second half.
Kapaa returned from his ankle injury, still not quite 100%, but his explosiveness on offense was unmatched. Raydyn was also unstoppable on drives. The penetration by those two guys was crucial against the Storm, who had a 6-4 guy in the paint. Being able to take him outside and beat him off the dribble was a big factor.
Our quickness and wisdom with the ball helped us finish strong. Jared was a bit rusty, but he hit an early 3 and helped run the offense smoothly in the second half.
We were up 42-39 in the final seconds of regulation when one of the Mililani's shooters hit an off-balance 25-foot trey to tie it and force OT. Raydyn tied the game in the first OT with a tough bucket in the key.
The second extra period was a free-throw shootout format, similar to the one used in CAL. Their first guy missed. Our first guy, Kapaa, swished his. Their second guy made his. Then Raydyn, who was the first to volunteer for this action, hit his foul shot. Mililani's third guy missed, which clinched it for us. Sierra would've been next.
Solid win, great teamwork. I really like this group, just playing hard, tenacious fullcourt pressure and strong offensively. We have balance when most of our guys are there. Definite championship contender.
Tonight's lineup: Gabriel Porras, Drake Lee, Jhayveen Ong, Kapaa Nishimura, Sierra Murobayashi, Raydyn Kaleikini, Chase Santos, Jared Elwin.
Next:
Saturday, 10:45 am - Thunder vs. Windward (OBL 13U playoffs), Koko Head gym. Warmups 9:45 am.
Saturday, 1:30 pm - Thunder vs. Lanakila Black (NJB All-Net 15U), Kilauea gym. Warmups 12:30 pm.
Big mahalo to Eric Murobayashi for shooting the game video. And mahalo to Lehua Nishimura for dropping Jared off after the game.
WE LUB THIS GAAAAAME!
Tonight's lineup: Gabriel Porras, Drake Lee, Jhayveen Ong, Kapaa Nishimura, Sierra Murobayashi, Raydyn Kaleikini, Chase Santos, Jared Elwin.
Next:
Saturday, 10:45 am - Thunder vs. Windward (OBL 13U playoffs), Koko Head gym. Warmups 9:45 am.
Saturday, 1:30 pm - Thunder vs. Lanakila Black (NJB All-Net 15U), Kilauea gym. Warmups 12:30 pm.
Big mahalo to Eric Murobayashi for shooting the game video. And mahalo to Lehua Nishimura for dropping Jared off after the game.
WE LUB THIS GAAAAAME!
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