Props to the Vandals. They're playing better basketball than they did on the opening day (Friday), smarter with the ball and quick in transition. They threw a 1-2-2 zone at us, which slowed us down at first. But we ran our play and did a much better job in the second half getting open shots.
Overall, we were solid defensively with fullcourt pressure, and our youth and inexperience as a team, chemistry-wise, is still there. We had a small lead in the late going and couldn't protect the ball.
That will get better with time.
They had a shot to win the game, but missed that and the follow shot. In OT, they scored the first four points, including a basket in transition when we were not supposed to be pressing. But we hung around and got within 43-41 even after Kyle fouled out. He and Ray had in-close shots in traffic, but barely missed on the putbacks.
The ball went out of bounds with .5 of a second left, Ray got a clean look from the corner, but his shot was just a little off to the right.
We beat the Vandals on Friday 52-35 when we had (almost) our full lineup.
With the 8 guys we had for today's consolation games, being mostly 12, 13 and 14, we were young and played with great intensity. I'm happy. I'm not satisfied, but I'm happy that our guys fought back and played hard as heck even after being eliminated from title contention yesterday.
There are a few guys who stuck through and didn't miss a game all weekend. I'm grateful for that kind of team pride and sacrifice.
Lineup: Kali'a Mielke, Felcris Jay Corpuz Ahadain, Ryan Higashionna, Raydyn Kaleikini, Chase Santos, Gabriel Porras, Kanehe Nishimura, Kyle Moraga.
We were one shot away from a winning record in this tourney. We lost one game to a potentially great big man (Isaac Liva of Hoops4Christ). The night before (Friday), we lost a close game to another outstanding, TALL team, Kailua, 50-49.
All in all, our guys battled and competed in every game. We're better, each and every player, day by day. That's how it works, win or lose. Summer is ahead, anybody can say they're going to work on their game, but unless you put in 200 to 500 shots daily, put in the miles, put in the workouts, and never excuse yourself, how will anybody know how great he or she could be.
Potential is nothing. Sweat equity, the reps and effort you put in — that means everything. Make it a summer to remember.
Next: Monday, 5:00 pm - Practice at Makiki Park. Then a busy week of games: Wed / Maryknoll JV League, Thur / Kalani Varsity League, Fri / Maryknoll JV League, Sat / Maryknoll JV League.
CAL schedule for next weekend to be announced.
WE LUBB THIS GAAME!!
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