Survive and Advance

Maui Summer Classic quarterfinals
Lahaina Civic Center
Intermediate: H1 Thunder vs. Southside's Finest, Fri July 24, 9:15 am
JV: H1 Thunder vs. Kihei Boyz, Fri July 24, 4:45 pm

Friday is a fresh start for every team in the Maui Summer Classic. Our H1 Thunder are seeded third in the JV Division and fifth in the Intermediate Division. We're 3-1 in the JV Division, losing only our opener on Tuesday after a long day of travel and delay issues along the way. We definitely can win that title, even with a team of 8th graders (one 6th grader) and arguably the best player in the tourney Mosi).

Our Intermediate team has played well, but was burdened with the task of playing back-to-back games (JV first, then Intermediate) twice in pool play. We lost those two games close. We were 2-2 in pool play and seeded fifth, yet we're in the same bracket with the division's #2 team. Normally, a #5 seed is in the same bracket with the #1 seed. I'm not questioning it. I think it's more that the seeding director sees us (and our first-round opponent) as a third seed. Maybe.

Doesn't matter now. It's about surviving and advancing, as Jim Valvano once said. One step at a time, one play at a time, one defensive stop at a time. Two titles for our group of 8 is within reach.

WE LUB THIS GAAAAME!!