Just an update since we're transitioning to fall season and so many things are going on for the players.
>> BIG MAHALO to Mrs. Chang for donating again to the H1 Thunder keiki. She must love our kids and parents a lot. I've known her since way back when I was in college and met her oldest son at work. One of the wisest and kindest people I've met, but she never started donating until she met the Thunder kids haha. WE LUB YOU MRS. CHANG :)
>> I'm looking for a good date when our JV and Intermediate players and parents can get together for a celebration luncheon or dinner. I'm open to ideas. I know Masa's in Mapunapuna used to do banquets for Little League. Or we could do it more informal at Big City Diner or anywhere. I'm open to anything. But it should be on a date when most of us (if not all) are able to go. Maybe a Sunday lunch?
>> PAA League (JV Division) starts on Wednesday, Aug. 5. We play Kapalama in a 7:45 pm game at Kilauea gym. PAA does not have a Varsity Division, and we don't have enough players to participate in their Intermediate Division, so JV is the only division we're playing in at PAA League. Entry fee is $500, so please (if can) chip in $30 per player and I'll chip in for the rest.
>> CAL League. No schedule yet. We are going to play Varsity, JV and 13U Gold in CAL. I've requested Sunday games to Coach Greydon. He said he can't promise anything but he'll try. Entry fee is not set yet, but usually around $450-475, so please (if can) chip in $30 per player and I'll chip in for the rest.
>> Ikaika League. No schedule yet. We are playing in the Varsity and JV Divisions. A few of our guys will be playing for their school teams, but our numbers will still be solid. We are not playing in the Inter Division due to lack of numbers. Entry fee is $500-550 (guaranteed 10 games), so please (if can) chip in $40 per player and I'll chip in for the rest. Ikaika League gives us the most games total of all the leagues, so the extra cost is worth it.
>> Practice. I've been swamped with work since returning from Maui, all preseason football stuff. It will slow down next week. We may practice on Monday, but check back here and I'll have a set schedule by Sunday night (when I get my work schedule).
Please feel free to call or text me 551-1054 for anything.
WE LUB THIS GAAAAME!!
Friday, July 31, 2015
Invitation to gala at Saint Louis (UPDATED 3:50 pm)
Aloha H1 Thunder parents and players. I got a call from Nathan Dudoit this afternoon. He is extending invitations to our team for the Ho'ala Hou Fundraiser (and dinner) at Saint Louis on Saturday, 5 pm, Mamiya Theater. FREE.
Again, I said FREE. (They're charging $100 per person to everybody else.) June Jones is the guest speaker and Willie K is among the musical performers. It's a fundraiser for Saint Louis' student-athletes. We are simply guests thanks to Coach Nathan.
You might remember Coach Nathan from the workouts he did with our guys at Makiki Park field about 1-2 years ago. He really respects our team and parents, so he thought of us when he got ahold of extra tickets.
Please respond ASAP so I can let him know this afternoon how many of us can attend. The event is not just about football, but about sports in general. Coach Jones is an excellent speaker, btw. I'm hoping all of our players and parents can commit. Coach Nathan has 50 tickets, so priority goes to players and parents. If there's extra, then siblings.
Please let me know via email or text (551-1054).
Mahalo,
Coach Paul
UPDATE 3:50 pm
Spoke with Coach Nathan just now. He'll allocate all 50 tickets to us. What a blessing and a generous thought by him for our kids. So far I've got 18 tickets reserved by parents and players who have replied to my email or text. Everybody (almost) just got out of school so I'm expecting to hear from you, but if I don't, you aren't going to be on the list. So please call/text ASAP. Text is better since I'm working tonight.
*** DRESS PROPERLY. DRESS PANTS. COLLARED SHIRT. SHOES.
3:00 pm - Pickup by Coach Paul.
4:00 pm - Arrive at Saint Louis/Mamiya Theater.
4:45 pm - Dinner begins.
The festivities will go until 10 pm. Folks who have to leave earlier can do so, but I'm looking forward to hearing June Jones and one of his former players, Jason Rivers, speak most of all.
Again, I said FREE. (They're charging $100 per person to everybody else.) June Jones is the guest speaker and Willie K is among the musical performers. It's a fundraiser for Saint Louis' student-athletes. We are simply guests thanks to Coach Nathan.
You might remember Coach Nathan from the workouts he did with our guys at Makiki Park field about 1-2 years ago. He really respects our team and parents, so he thought of us when he got ahold of extra tickets.
Please respond ASAP so I can let him know this afternoon how many of us can attend. The event is not just about football, but about sports in general. Coach Jones is an excellent speaker, btw. I'm hoping all of our players and parents can commit. Coach Nathan has 50 tickets, so priority goes to players and parents. If there's extra, then siblings.
Please let me know via email or text (551-1054).
Mahalo,
Coach Paul
UPDATE 3:50 pm
Spoke with Coach Nathan just now. He'll allocate all 50 tickets to us. What a blessing and a generous thought by him for our kids. So far I've got 18 tickets reserved by parents and players who have replied to my email or text. Everybody (almost) just got out of school so I'm expecting to hear from you, but if I don't, you aren't going to be on the list. So please call/text ASAP. Text is better since I'm working tonight.
*** DRESS PROPERLY. DRESS PANTS. COLLARED SHIRT. SHOES.
3:00 pm - Pickup by Coach Paul.
4:00 pm - Arrive at Saint Louis/Mamiya Theater.
4:45 pm - Dinner begins.
The festivities will go until 10 pm. Folks who have to leave earlier can do so, but I'm looking forward to hearing June Jones and one of his former players, Jason Rivers, speak most of all.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
H1 Thunder 34, Mililani 23 (JV)
2015 Le Jardin JV Summer League Champion: H1 Thunder.
From left: Ryan Higashionna. Jance Apuya, Kali'a Mielke, Jayden Ramos, Chase Santos, Chaz Enos, Mosi Afe, Colin Ramos, Kapaa Nishimura, Jonah Gormley, Radyn Kaleikini, Micah Visoria. Missing: Felcris Ahadain, Tenchi Robinson, Sierra Murobayashi, Jhevin Mercado, Jason Doyle.
Congratulations to our guys. Always playing as a team, always giving their best. Always caring about each other. What a ride.
## Le Jardin League, championship game ##
Outstanding defensive effort by our Thunder tonight en route to the league crown. Mililani has height and toughness, but we put Chase on their best shooter after halftime.
The shooter hit a tough 3, but that was it. Chase shut him down and even Mosi took a turn at him and didn't let him score. The lead went from 19-12 at halftime to 34-16 with a few minutes left. We could've kept pressing and pushing full tilt after halftime, but the emphasis on halfcourt man defense and shot selection worked well. Our guys played like champions from day one in this league (and Ikaika League before this), and tonight was true to the old adage, defense wins championships.
Our reserves, the 8th graders, were solid off the bench. They got good looks each time, and though they were outsized defensively, they didn't allow a single layup. Smart, tough defense.
It's been a treat for me, Coach Bino, Coach Kalei and Coach Rob to coach this group of 10th graders and 8th graders (and the lone 9th grader). They work together, keep their composure and enjoy the moment regardless of who scores. I know a team like this doesn't come around often, so I've relished each second, just like we do with our Intermediate champions. Relish, relish, relish.
13-1. Top seed. League champions. Players win games. A brotherhood wins championships.
Lineup: Jayden, Colin, Ryan, Micah, Chaz, Jonah, Radyn, Mosi, Chase,Kali'a, Kapaa.
Game Day
Our older Thunder held down the fort while the younger Thunder traveled. Both learned how to win despite thin depth by playing with heart and smarts. Combined, this summer's Thunder are truly a force — IF and when they play with control and great defense. Championship game is tonight.
WE LUB THIS GAAAME!!
WE LUB THIS GAAAME!!
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Video: Maui Summer Classic
I've finally got highlight videos for the 9 games our Thunder won in JV and Intermediate Divisions at the Maui Summer Classic. (I might get to the losing games later.)
To save you time, the videos and links are all in this post. HUGE MAHALO to Joel Gormley for shooting the game videos. There was limited space in the camera; often times, he had to use his phone to shoot the final minutes of games. This is on top of all the driving and organizing and support he provided for all our keiki.
Memories for a lifetime. THANK YOU, JOEL!
Note: Full-game footage videos will be online later. Catching up with these videos from Maui, and now with the past three games at the Le Jardin League, is time consuming. Please bear with me. Thank you for your patience.
Tuesday, July 21
Upcountry Elite 45, H1 Thunder 30, JV Division (pool play) — no video yet
Southside's Finest 50, H1 Thunder 43, 8th Grade Division (pool play) — no video yet
Wednesday, July 22
H1 Thunder 62, Maui Sparks 37, JV Division (pool play)
H1 Thunder 63, Kihei 61, 2 OT, JV Division (pool play)
H1 Thunder 48, Lahaina 28, 8th Grade Division (pool play)
Thursday, July 23
H1 Thunder 45, Southside's Finest, JV Division (pool play)
Upcountry Elite 39, H1 Thunder 33, 8th Grade Division (pool play) — no video yet
H1 Thunder 37, IMUA 7 22, 8th Grade Division (pool play)
Friday, July 24
H1 Thunder 45, Southside's Finest 42, 8th Grade Division (quarterfinals)
H1 Thunder 57, Imua White 34, JV Division (quarterfinals)
Saturday, July 25
H1 Thunder 48, San Fernando Hawks 39, 8th Grade Division (semifinals)
Upcountry Elite 60, H1 Thunder 41, JV Division (semifinals) — no video yet.
H1 Thunder 41, Upcountry Elite 38, 8th Grade Division (championship)
To save you time, the videos and links are all in this post. HUGE MAHALO to Joel Gormley for shooting the game videos. There was limited space in the camera; often times, he had to use his phone to shoot the final minutes of games. This is on top of all the driving and organizing and support he provided for all our keiki.
Memories for a lifetime. THANK YOU, JOEL!
Note: Full-game footage videos will be online later. Catching up with these videos from Maui, and now with the past three games at the Le Jardin League, is time consuming. Please bear with me. Thank you for your patience.
Tuesday, July 21
Upcountry Elite 45, H1 Thunder 30, JV Division (pool play) — no video yet
Southside's Finest 50, H1 Thunder 43, 8th Grade Division (pool play) — no video yet
Wednesday, July 22
H1 Thunder 62, Maui Sparks 37, JV Division (pool play)
H1 Thunder 63, Kihei 61, 2 OT, JV Division (pool play)
H1 Thunder 48, Lahaina 28, 8th Grade Division (pool play)
Thursday, July 23
H1 Thunder 45, Southside's Finest, JV Division (pool play)
Upcountry Elite 39, H1 Thunder 33, 8th Grade Division (pool play) — no video yet
H1 Thunder 37, IMUA 7 22, 8th Grade Division (pool play)
Friday, July 24
H1 Thunder 45, Southside's Finest 42, 8th Grade Division (quarterfinals)
H1 Thunder 57, Imua White 34, JV Division (quarterfinals)
Saturday, July 25
H1 Thunder 48, San Fernando Hawks 39, 8th Grade Division (semifinals)
Upcountry Elite 60, H1 Thunder 41, JV Division (semifinals) — no video yet.
H1 Thunder 41, Upcountry Elite 38, 8th Grade Division (championship)
Wednesday pickup route
5:00 pm - Micah? Chaz? Josh D?
5:05 pm - Felcris.
5:15 pm - Mosi, DJ.
6:00 pm - Stretching/warmups at Le Jardin gym.
7:00 pm - H1 Thunder vs. Mililani (championship game).
WE LUB THIS GAAAAME!!
5:05 pm - Felcris.
5:15 pm - Mosi, DJ.
6:00 pm - Stretching/warmups at Le Jardin gym.
7:00 pm - H1 Thunder vs. Mililani (championship game).
WE LUB THIS GAAAAME!!
H1 Thunder 63, Punahou 49 (JV)
Le Jardin League semifinals
Strong turnout tonight -- 11 strong -- so we used our depth and speed from start to finish. We started slowly without Radyn there at the beginning, then opened lead to 10 or 12. But we couldn't Shake Punahou, a skilled and tall team. They rallied to make it 27-25 at the half.
Our older guys started the second half and that was too much for Punahou. Ray and Kali'a were strong underneath and Kapaa and Chase used their length and elastic arms to make plays on defense. Inside-out game was superb with Kapaa on the perimeter. Mosi was a force again in transition and we opened the lead to 15 or so. Punahou chipped away again but our 8th graders did nice work executing on both ends to maintain most of the margin. GOOD TEAM WIN, THUNDER!!
Lineup: Jayden, Colin, Ryan, Felcris, Jonah, Micah, Chase, Kapaa, Kali'a, Mosi, Radyn.
Next: Wednesday, 700 pm - H1 Thunder vs. Mililani (Le Jardin League championship game).
WE LUB THIS GAAAAME!!
Strong turnout tonight -- 11 strong -- so we used our depth and speed from start to finish. We started slowly without Radyn there at the beginning, then opened lead to 10 or 12. But we couldn't Shake Punahou, a skilled and tall team. They rallied to make it 27-25 at the half.
Our older guys started the second half and that was too much for Punahou. Ray and Kali'a were strong underneath and Kapaa and Chase used their length and elastic arms to make plays on defense. Inside-out game was superb with Kapaa on the perimeter. Mosi was a force again in transition and we opened the lead to 15 or so. Punahou chipped away again but our 8th graders did nice work executing on both ends to maintain most of the margin. GOOD TEAM WIN, THUNDER!!
Lineup: Jayden, Colin, Ryan, Felcris, Jonah, Micah, Chase, Kapaa, Kali'a, Mosi, Radyn.
Next: Wednesday, 700 pm - H1 Thunder vs. Mililani (Le Jardin League championship game).
WE LUB THIS GAAAAME!!
Monday, July 27, 2015
Maui memories
#stingrays #konawaenawildcats #ladylunas #welubthisgame #h1thunder
Tasty Crust in Wailuku. Last time I ate here was with Dave Reardon some years back after a state tourney game. the. H1 Thunder boys feel right at home here and everywhere on Maui. They all want to come back next year. After Vegas and maybe Anaheim.
Photos July 22-26, 2015
## Maui Trip; Day 6 R&R ##
Left early for Haleakala. None of the kids got out of bed. After 13 games in 5 days. I don't blame them. They can do Haleakala next time. It was semi-cold: 50 degrees.
11 am and the manager is graciously allowing us a late checkout. The guys are in the pool and were at the adjacent beach with Aunty Suzy on lookout.
They ate some weird spam sandwich thing for breakfast since I wasn't here to cook. OK...
We fly back to HNL 809 pm flight. Wish there were a few more days of nothingness here. Maui kinda grows on you.
Aunty Tami was my catsitter.
Special Mahalo to all the moms who allowed their Thunder sons to play in the Maui Summer Classic.
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