Kohala 65, H1 Thunder 52 (varsity)

Big West Conference Officials/HISOA Varsity Tournament, Kailua-Kona
Our Thunder kids gave Kohala's varsity squad a battle from start to finish. We were sluggish and out of sync — not running our offense — and fell behind 8-0. We rallied to tie it at 15-all or so.

It was somewhere around 25-all when Kohala started pulling away bit by bit. They're a veteran varsity team with a smart, tough PG (#12 Kellen Figueroa) who is very "competitive." We stayed within 6-8 points for most of the second half, but Kohala made shots (#21 has a nice pullup jumper) and we had some offensive mini-droughts.

Still a hearty effort by our 14U (plus Radyn). Ray had a good game out of the high post with tough drives against bigger guys, hitting shots or finding open teammates.

One thing about playing against "competitive" players, we all will have to learn to laugh when they drop f-bombs and other colorful language at us. The referees won't hear it because the older players say it loud enough for you to hear, but not loud enough for the refs to hear it.

How we REACT matters more than what actually happened. Referees catch the reaction, not the initial f-bomb or push (or whatever). Laugh it off. Show the referee good body language. Talk to me and our other coaches. But don't let anyone control your reaction in a negative way.

The more experience our players gain, the better we can respond in a way that helps our team rather than hurts it. It doesn't happen overnight, but learning to react and respond wisely is so important. It's the difference between winning a close game and losing a close game. That's the real nature of battle.

FWIW, Kellen apologized to me after the game. He knows he doesn't need the cussing as part of his game. He's good enough without it. He'll learn as he grows as a player and person. I'm more concerned with our guys, learning to handle any situation. We're young — mostly 13 and 14 — and we're going to learn along the way. That's the truth and we keep moving forward.

The guys are still in good spirits despite the loss. No harm in a learning experience, facing a tough, older team. We get better faster that way.
 

Now we head up to Waimea, Honokaa, Waipio Valley. If we have time, maybe Kohala.

Then we trace our way back through Waikoloa, where the boys want to swim at the huge pool (with a slide) where Chase, Ray and their dads are staying. If that doesn't work out (might be crowded), we'll hit nearby Hapuna Beach.

No games the rest of the day and night, so the guys will have all the fun, free time they've wanted.

Next: Sunday, 11:45 am - H1 Thunder vs. Bay Area Renegades (WYBT 14U), Kekuaokalani gym.
Sunday, 7:15 pm - H1 Thunder vs. Islanders (WYBT 14U).
WE LUB THIS GAME!