Mandatory workout for our Varsity and JV teams. 13U welcome to participate; they have two more games left in CAL.
Our V/JV teams have Ikaika League playoffs coming up. Some preparation is in order. We have as much chance as any team to win titles in both divisions.
Hoping to have 5-on-5 on Sunday at practice. If you absolutely cannot practice, call or text me at 551-1054. Players who do not show up and do not have a good reason for not practicing will be grounded for at least one half. It's been four months since our last 5-on-5 practice.
Let's work on this and have big fun :)
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Voyagers 31, H1 Thunder 25 (13U)
CAL League, 13U Gold Division, Kilauea gym
I had to work (Waianae-Kaiser football game), but Coach Bino did a great job. This makes us 3-3 in league play and our Pups have come a long, long way. Back last winter, they struggled to compete for awhile, but since then, they have been contenders in every league. I'm very proud of our Pups!
Our 13U has two more games in CAL:
>> vs Team Hustle, Sat 10/4, 10:20 am
>> vs Kaimuki, Sat 10/11, 9:30 am
On Friday night, we were close against a tall team, and not having Jonah certainly made a difference.
Coach Bino told me that Jonah was held out of the game because he just turned 14. According to my records, he's still 13 like the rest of our team. My apologies to Jonah and everybody for the mistake. I got in touch with Coach Greydon of CAL and he confirmed that Jonah's birthday just passed and he can't play 13U now.
Here's my record of everybody's birthdates. If there is any error, please, please let me know ASAP. We don't play in as many age-group division leagues because most of them have gone to grade-level divisions in the past year or so. But in case we do have age-specific leagues down the road, I need to make sure we don't have this problem again. Mahalo!
13U
# Name Gr Birthdate Age School
6 Ryan Higashionna 9th 10/20/01 13 Kalani
12 Jance Apuya 8th 05/19/02 13 Kalakaua
13 Jason Doyle 9th 11/02/01 13 Roosevelt
14 Skylar Kawakami-Bechtel 8th 12 Kaimuki
17 Jayden Ramos 8th 10/15/02 12 Ewa Makai
24 Jonah Gormley 9th 11/01/01 13 Aiea
29 Matthew Pascual 8th 01/20/02 13 Moanalua
34 Chaz Enos 7th 11/28/03 11 Stevenson
88 Walter Berthold 9th 10/25/01 13 Maryknoll
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Wednesday Funday
Overcast, light breeze, no rain. Perfect shooting conditions. Everyone did the mile run. Jance is doing his now. He had a stomachache. Skipped lunch. Not a great idea.
Post-practice: Solid workout by the guys. A lot of ballhandling against pressure, defensive positioning, halfcourt offense execution, 2-on-2 to finish. Good work, Thunder!
Post-practice: Solid workout by the guys. A lot of ballhandling against pressure, defensive positioning, halfcourt offense execution, 2-on-2 to finish. Good work, Thunder!
H1 Thunder 43, Hoops4Christ 39 (V)
Ikaika League, Varsity Division, Palolo gym
Strong first half, then we hung on for a tough win over a good H4C team. Led 32-20 at the half after Ryan banked in a runner at the buzzer.
Mosi hurt his ankle on defense though during that first half. That left us with just 7 players and we had to grind it out. Solid defense tonight even with our young guys playing big minutes against a big, older team.
Radyn, Michael Tenchi held down the fort. Mosi returned late in the game. Colin hit a free throw with :04 left to clinch the win. We look like we're finally growing up in the Varsity Division, winning with our skeleton crew.
I think that ends our regular season. Playoffs are next. Any team can win this. Why not us? smile emoticon
Lineup: Jance, Ryan, Colin, Ryan, Mosi Afe, Michael, Tenchi Robinson, Radyn.
Mahalo to Ryan K for helping the boys with warmups. Whenever he is around the guys, good things always seem to happen.
Mahalo to Brandon H for shooting his 80th game in a row as a Thunder Volunteer.
Big mahalo to Mrs. Patti Chang for donating generously to the Thunder keiki once again. We lubb you!
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Tuesday pickup route
4:15 pm - Mosi Afe
5:00 pm - Stretching/warmups at Palolo gym.
6:00 pm - H1 Thunder vs. Hoops4Christ (Ikaika Varsity Division), Palolo gym
Call/text 551-1054 for a ride.
WE LUB THIS GAAAME!!
5:00 pm - Stretching/warmups at Palolo gym.
6:00 pm - H1 Thunder vs. Hoops4Christ (Ikaika Varsity Division), Palolo gym
Call/text 551-1054 for a ride.
WE LUB THIS GAAAME!!
Monday Funday
Brandon Cablay (5-11) lived it. Derrick Low (6-1) had it. So did Ryan Hirata (5-7). Dyrbe Enos (5-8), Keanu Vela (6-2). Isaiah Visoria (5-10). Jimmy Miyasaka (6-1). The players who dedicate themselves to practicing every day gave their theit best to their teams. They also gave themselves the best opportunity to play at the next level. You love it, you live it. God is good smile emoticon
FT
Sierra 41-50
Skylar 36-50
Jason 28-50
Jance 26-50
FT
Sierra 41-50
Skylar 36-50
Jason 28-50
Jance 26-50
Good work for 90 minutes. A lot of on-ball defense, ballhandling against on-ball pressure, 3-point shooting. Solid work by our young guards and Sierra.
Isaiah and the Great Northwest
Best wishes and safe travels to one of our oldest H1 Thunder (he never liked the 'H1' part btw haha), Isaiah Visoria. He leaves tonight to the Northwest where he will pursue the next step of his Great Basketball Journey at Lane Community College. He is one of the Thunder who truly set the tone for our younger players. Always competitive no matter how much of an underdog we were. Shoot, there were times he was our only real scorer, yet his drive (mental and literal) and desire kept us in games all the time. The upset wins were just icing on the cake.
GO GET UM ISAIAH. GOD BLESS.
GO GET UM ISAIAH. GOD BLESS.
Hui 59, H1 Thunder 41 (V)
Ikaika League, Varsity Division, Aiea gym
A lot of grit and gusto, but the older, taller (mostly) and more fundamentally sound team prevailed. We stayed fairly close for much of the way until we had a rash of turnovers early that set us back and we never totally recovered.
Talent-wise and skill-wise, we're as good as any of these older teams in the Varsity division. Experience-wise and preparation-wise? Not close. Not having a real team practice (5-on-5) since May or June has not been good for any of us. Moving up from JV titles to facing Varsity teams means we should be working together more than ever to build chemistry. Even if it's for just one practice per week. After the game, most of the guys said they'd be willing to practice on Sunday afternoons when the Spring 2016 season starts.
Ikaika League has V and JV playoffs starting soon, so I'm going to call for practice next Sunday (Sept 27) afternoon. Let's see if we can win these divisions with some real team work.
NOTE: Parents and players, please, please, please let me know when a player is sick. We had one player who was sick today and never told me until late in the game. This is not good or safe on many different levels. Please do the right thing and keep me informed from the very start. Not good and fortunately he finally told me after I pulled him from the game. He could've gone through serious dehydration if he'd played more, enough to land in the hospital. He was sick enough to throw up after the game. PLEASE COMMUNICATE.
Mahalo.
WE LUB THIS GAME!!
A lot of grit and gusto, but the older, taller (mostly) and more fundamentally sound team prevailed. We stayed fairly close for much of the way until we had a rash of turnovers early that set us back and we never totally recovered.
Talent-wise and skill-wise, we're as good as any of these older teams in the Varsity division. Experience-wise and preparation-wise? Not close. Not having a real team practice (5-on-5) since May or June has not been good for any of us. Moving up from JV titles to facing Varsity teams means we should be working together more than ever to build chemistry. Even if it's for just one practice per week. After the game, most of the guys said they'd be willing to practice on Sunday afternoons when the Spring 2016 season starts.
Ikaika League has V and JV playoffs starting soon, so I'm going to call for practice next Sunday (Sept 27) afternoon. Let's see if we can win these divisions with some real team work.
NOTE: Parents and players, please, please, please let me know when a player is sick. We had one player who was sick today and never told me until late in the game. This is not good or safe on many different levels. Please do the right thing and keep me informed from the very start. Not good and fortunately he finally told me after I pulled him from the game. He could've gone through serious dehydration if he'd played more, enough to land in the hospital. He was sick enough to throw up after the game. PLEASE COMMUNICATE.
Mahalo.
WE LUB THIS GAME!!
Saturday JV games
Two games, two losses. We're the youngest team in JV for Ikaika and PAA leagues -- I'm 99.9% sure about that. And yet, skill wise I think we can beat any JV team. We lost to taller teams again, older teams. The kinds of teams we used to beat with our skills and smarts.
But the skills and conditioning have eroded. We have 3-4 players at practice. 5 or 6 on a good day. I told the guys that I know what our real team is, the one that had 16, 18 at practice during the spring season.
Our guys in Varsity, JV and 13U are busy with studies, work and other activities now. And some are plain lazy. It is what it is. We dropped to 4-2 or so in PAA JV league and 2-4 or so on Ikaika JV league. What's harder to measure is personal, daily reps and improvement, team chemistry and improvement.
We were 14-2 to start fall season even though its been so long since we practiced as a full team. That's how good our chemistry was. Now it's almost the opposite. The lack of team chemistry, practice and unity finally caught up to us.
I'm not mad about this anymore. But this won't happen again after this fall season. Showing up only for games, not practicing, not getting better -- that's not what were are about. We've been working hard since Day One.
I hope and pray that every single Thunder gets back on board. Greatness can be a truly wonderful thing. Very hard to achieve and so easy to lose. God is good!
But the skills and conditioning have eroded. We have 3-4 players at practice. 5 or 6 on a good day. I told the guys that I know what our real team is, the one that had 16, 18 at practice during the spring season.
Our guys in Varsity, JV and 13U are busy with studies, work and other activities now. And some are plain lazy. It is what it is. We dropped to 4-2 or so in PAA JV league and 2-4 or so on Ikaika JV league. What's harder to measure is personal, daily reps and improvement, team chemistry and improvement.
We were 14-2 to start fall season even though its been so long since we practiced as a full team. That's how good our chemistry was. Now it's almost the opposite. The lack of team chemistry, practice and unity finally caught up to us.
I'm not mad about this anymore. But this won't happen again after this fall season. Showing up only for games, not practicing, not getting better -- that's not what were are about. We've been working hard since Day One.
I hope and pray that every single Thunder gets back on board. Greatness can be a truly wonderful thing. Very hard to achieve and so easy to lose. God is good!
Wednesday Funday
Lot of busy players but these two are constantly at it. Skylar and Jance, 8th graders. They helped big time in our Varsity Division game last night.
Work ethic :)
Work ethic :)
H1 Thunder 40, Mid-Pacific 38 (V)
Ikaika League, Varsity Division, Palolo gym
Thank God for our Pups. We had just 6 varsity players tonight, but Jance and Skyler -- eighth graders -- gave us crucial minutes off the bench. Our starters got time to hydrate and rest. Jance hit a big corner 3 in the first half and Sierra made a "shooter's roll" 2 from the corner in the second half.
They also played solid defense while our starters gritted out the win. Was not easy against the Owls' full crew of 10 players. We played a good 25 minutes -- our lead was 11 or 12 points -- and a subpar last 5 minutes.
Golden rule: Do not give a team open 3-point shots again and again unless you really, really want to give a win away. We are still learning to truly defend when it matters most. Much too nice defensively when we need to get feisty and truly challenge EVERY shot the other team takes.
Our nice guys just don't get it -- yet. I really hope they do one day. Tomorrow maybe? Kudos to MPI for refusing to give up but we almost let them steal the game after we'd worked so hard. GET PHYSICAL, Thunderrrrr.
Overall, a good team win. Seeking greatness. Not next year when many of our Thunder will be seniors. Greatness NOW. Tomorrow. This week. This month.
Lineup: Skylar Kawakami-bechtel, Jance, Sierra, Mosi Afe, Kali'a Mielke, Radyn, Tenchi Robinson, Michael.
Next: Wed 430 pm - practice at Makiki Park.
Thunder JV has two games on Saturday. Thunder Varsity has two games Sunday.
WE LUB THIS GAAAAAAME!!
Thank God for our Pups. We had just 6 varsity players tonight, but Jance and Skyler -- eighth graders -- gave us crucial minutes off the bench. Our starters got time to hydrate and rest. Jance hit a big corner 3 in the first half and Sierra made a "shooter's roll" 2 from the corner in the second half.
They also played solid defense while our starters gritted out the win. Was not easy against the Owls' full crew of 10 players. We played a good 25 minutes -- our lead was 11 or 12 points -- and a subpar last 5 minutes.
Golden rule: Do not give a team open 3-point shots again and again unless you really, really want to give a win away. We are still learning to truly defend when it matters most. Much too nice defensively when we need to get feisty and truly challenge EVERY shot the other team takes.
Our nice guys just don't get it -- yet. I really hope they do one day. Tomorrow maybe? Kudos to MPI for refusing to give up but we almost let them steal the game after we'd worked so hard. GET PHYSICAL, Thunderrrrr.
Overall, a good team win. Seeking greatness. Not next year when many of our Thunder will be seniors. Greatness NOW. Tomorrow. This week. This month.
Lineup: Skylar Kawakami-bechtel, Jance, Sierra, Mosi Afe, Kali'a Mielke, Radyn, Tenchi Robinson, Michael.
Next: Wed 430 pm - practice at Makiki Park.
Thunder JV has two games on Saturday. Thunder Varsity has two games Sunday.
WE LUB THIS GAAAAAAME!!
Monday Funday
Posted on Facebook
Monday, Sept. 14, 2015
We needed work on ball handling against pressure and traps. Got some consuming and drills in too. Good work, Thunder!
Lineup: Michael, Sierra, Jance, DJ, Skylar Kawakami-bechtel.
We needed work on ball handling against pressure and traps. Got some consuming and drills in too. Good work, Thunder!
Lineup: Michael, Sierra, Jance, DJ, Skylar Kawakami-bechtel.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
This Week (Sept. 14-20)
Monday, 4:30 pm - Practice at Makiki Park.
Tuesday, 5:55 pm - Stretching/warmups at Palolo gym. 6:55 pm - vs PC Purple Devils (Ikaika Varsity Division).
Wednesday, 4:30 pm - Practice at Makiki Park.
Thursday & Friday - No practice. (I'm working at the football games in Aloha Stadium both nights.)
Saturday
8:40 am - Stretching/warmups at Salt Lake gym. 9:40 am - vs.
Crush (Ikaika JV Division), Salt Lake gym.
10:10 am - Stretching/warmups at Kilauea gym. 11:10 am - vs Ballers 4 Life (PAA JV Division).
Sunday
8:00 am - Stretching/warmups at Aiea gym. 9:00 am - vs Hui (Ikaika Varsity Division), Aiea gym.
Time TBA - vs Tar Heels (CAL Varsity Division), Kilauea gym (Note: Greydon said he will change this game time to accommodate us.)
WE LUB THIS GAAAME!!
Tuesday, 5:55 pm - Stretching/warmups at Palolo gym. 6:55 pm - vs PC Purple Devils (Ikaika Varsity Division).
Wednesday, 4:30 pm - Practice at Makiki Park.
Thursday & Friday - No practice. (I'm working at the football games in Aloha Stadium both nights.)
Saturday
8:40 am - Stretching/warmups at Salt Lake gym. 9:40 am - vs.
Crush (Ikaika JV Division), Salt Lake gym.
10:10 am - Stretching/warmups at Kilauea gym. 11:10 am - vs Ballers 4 Life (PAA JV Division).
Sunday
8:00 am - Stretching/warmups at Aiea gym. 9:00 am - vs Hui (Ikaika Varsity Division), Aiea gym.
Time TBA - vs Tar Heels (CAL Varsity Division), Kilauea gym (Note: Greydon said he will change this game time to accommodate us.)
WE LUB THIS GAAAME!!
Team Dream 29, H1 Thunder 19 (13U)
CAL League, 13U Gold Division, Kilauea gym
Game was close until the end. Just didn't have our normal energy level. A lot of rust. We forced up a ton of difficult shots that we normally don't try.
We just aren't the same team we've been and the only reason is that we don't practice as a team. Simple as that. The cure? Practice as a team. Simple as that.
We're now 3-2. At one point, we were playing good basketball. We have two games left. It would be a good finish if we practiced and closed out our season as the Pups who came so far from last winter. Let's focus on a good day when we can have a good 13U team practice.
Game was close until the end. Just didn't have our normal energy level. A lot of rust. We forced up a ton of difficult shots that we normally don't try.
We just aren't the same team we've been and the only reason is that we don't practice as a team. Simple as that. The cure? Practice as a team. Simple as that.
We're now 3-2. At one point, we were playing good basketball. We have two games left. It would be a good finish if we practiced and closed out our season as the Pups who came so far from last winter. Let's focus on a good day when we can have a good 13U team practice.
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Sat 13U practice rained out
Rain not letting up at all. Enjoy the morning. Do your crunches and push-ups and even some running. It's raining hard enough to be unsafe for basketball but jogging would be ok.
See everybody at the game on Sunday.
See everybody at the game on Sunday.
Friday, September 11, 2015
H1 Thunder 49, Mililani 39 (JV)
PAA League, JV Division, Kilauea gym
Good battle between two good shooting teams. They were much taller, we got some steals and it was a 1-point lead for us at the half. Then Kyle arrived and gave us a boost on the boards, on defense, attacking their man defense. We passed well tonight and Kali‘a was very effective in the post. Colin also shot well, as did Micah.
Good battle between two good shooting teams. They were much taller, we got some steals and it was a 1-point lead for us at the half. Then Kyle arrived and gave us a boost on the boards, on defense, attacking their man defense. We passed well tonight and Kali‘a was very effective in the post. Colin also shot well, as did Micah.
Good team win!
Lineup: Chaz, Skylar Kawakami-bechtel, Jayden, Jason, Jance, Kali'a Mielke, Ryan, Micah Visoria, Colin Micah Ramos, Kyle Moraga.
Saturday pickup route
Call/text me before 8:30 am for a ride 551-1054.
13U Practice starts 10 am at Makiki Park.
We play CAL 13U League Sunday, 11:10 am at Kilauea gym.
WE LUB THIS GAME!
13U Practice starts 10 am at Makiki Park.
We play CAL 13U League Sunday, 11:10 am at Kilauea gym.
WE LUB THIS GAME!
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
titles
kac hs summer (2010)
kkb men (2011)
cal 13U Silver (2012)
aiea 12U league (2013)
pearl city JV summer (2013)
swoosh socal showcase summer (2013)
maryknoll JV summer (2014)
wybt kona 14u summer (2014)
le jardin JV summer (2015)
ikaika JV spring (2015)
maui summer classic Inter (2015)
practice like a champion
win championships
looking this stuff up is a pain in the okole even though it's listed on the blog. great memories though, of our title teams, runner-up teams, third-place teams, last--place teams.
kkb men (2011)
cal 13U Silver (2012)
aiea 12U league (2013)
pearl city JV summer (2013)
swoosh socal showcase summer (2013)
maryknoll JV summer (2014)
wybt kona 14u summer (2014)
le jardin JV summer (2015)
ikaika JV spring (2015)
maui summer classic Inter (2015)
practice like a champion
win championships
looking this stuff up is a pain in the okole even though it's listed on the blog. great memories though, of our title teams, runner-up teams, third-place teams, last--place teams.
Nonstop and hungry
These guys never stop, even on Labor Day. Mosi Afe, 15, Jr., DJ Afe-Pasion, 8, 3rd grade. Mosi called me at mid-day to go shoot. I was working. He called at 5 pm. Still working. I met them at Beckley Park around 6:30 and they shot until 8:40.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Fastest fullcourt layup
Isaiah Visoria (age 17) - 4.17 seconds, 2014, McCully gym.
Second fastest: Mosi Afe (age 14) - 4.35 seconds, 2014, McCully gym.
Second fastest: Mosi Afe (age 14) - 4.35 seconds, 2014, McCully gym.
This Week (Sept. 7-13)
Mon - Holiday. No practice. I have lots of video (work and Thunder) to work on.
Tue - No practice. I have to work (volleyball).
Wed - No practice. I have to work (volleyball).
Thur, 7:15 pm - vs Mililani* (PAA JV Division), Kilauea gym (opponent changed as of 8/30). Note: Corrects to new game time.
Fri - No practice. I have to work (football).
Sat, 10 am - 13U practice, Makiki Park.
Sun, 11:10 am - vs Team Dream (CAL 13U Gold Division), Kilauea gym.
Sun, 4:00 pm - Varsity/JV/Alumni scrimmage/practice?
Tue - No practice. I have to work (volleyball).
Wed - No practice. I have to work (volleyball).
Thur, 7:15 pm - vs Mililani* (PAA JV Division), Kilauea gym (opponent changed as of 8/30). Note: Corrects to new game time.
Fri - No practice. I have to work (football).
Sat, 10 am - 13U practice, Makiki Park.
Sun, 11:10 am - vs Team Dream (CAL 13U Gold Division), Kilauea gym.
Sun, 4:00 pm - Varsity/JV/Alumni scrimmage/practice?
Sunday wrap (3 games)
SUNDAY WRAP
We had five games in all this weekend, seven during the week counting Thursday's forfeit win over Sharks-Black. We had two wins (by forfeit) and five losses. Some close, some not. After starting out Fall season so hot (14-2), we're sliding. No surprise. We haven't had a full team practice since May or June.
## Lanakila 56, H1 Thunder 33 ##
Ikaika League, JV Division, Aiea gym
Thank God we didn't forfeit this game. Big Mahalo to Coach Bino and Coach Roy for filling in. Roy picked up Felcris and we played the game with just 5 players: Micah, Chaz, Felcris, Josh R and Jhevin. That's a four freshmen and a 7th-grader. Coach Bino said the guys did well in the first half. It was funny when I called Felcris and he said the other team's coach was yelling at their guys because our guys broke their press. Not easy having no subs, but it can be fun, too. Hope our guys enjoyed their maximum playing time.
We dropped to 2-3 in Ikaika JV League, but the playoffs are still ahead. When this team is together and playing its best, we can beat anyone.
## H1 Thunder 2, Lanakila II 0, forfeit ##
CAL League, Varsity Division, Kilauea gym
Lanakila had just 4 players so it was a forfeit win for us. We scrimmaged with officials there, though. We had about 12 or 14 players, half of them from our JV/13U rosters.
The scrimmage was close all the way. We blew a six- or seven-point lead in the final 2 minutes. We had great defensive deflections and hustle to get the lead, and we made an unnecessary foul off a free-throw miss (they were in the bonus) and we let their center shoot an uncontested 3-pointer. Lanakila banked in a long, long 3-pointer at the buzzer to force OT.
The OT was CAL-League shootout style and it was the longest one I've ever seen. Lanakila banked in a FT along the way to stay tied, and eventually they beat us after about 7 or 8 FTs. The fill-in player for Lanakila was Tayler Espinda, and he hit the winning FT. Not faaaair! Good battle and I hope we really learn from our mistakes. That's the usual way to learn, from personal pain. Doesn't have to be that way, but experience is experience.
We are now 4-1 in CAL Varsity League. Next game is vs. Tar Heels, Sunday, Sept. 20, time to be announced. No playoffs in this league. I know Blue Devils beat Tar Heels this morning. We beat the Blue Devils last month. So Lanakila I is probably unbeaten. Hopefully, we win out our games and get a chance to play Lanakila I again, but due to lack of gym time, probably not going to happen.
## All-Stars 34, H1 Thunder 26 ##
CAL League, 13U Gold Division, Kilauea gym
It was pretty close all the way. We led early, then lost the lead and trailed by about 4-8 points most of the way.
It's far cry from spring season when this same team dusted our Pups by 25 or 30 points. We're really come a long way and like us, the All-Stars were undefeated going into this game. If we win our last few games, maybe we get one more shot at them. Or Kiawe Heat. Greydon tends to adjust schedules to match teams up evenly as possible. I'm confident in our 13U beeeg time.
We are now 3-1 in CAL 13U Gold and the All-Stars are still unbeaten. We have Team Dream next Sunday and Voyagers a couple of weeks after that. Don't be surprised if CAL League changes our opponent(s).
Saturday, September 5, 2015
REMINDER: JV/13U Overlap on Sunday
I'm reposting this in case anyone missed it or forgot.
Below is our lineup for the Sunday morning games. I'm posting this because of the overlap between these JV and 13U games and rather than forfeit one or the other, we'll be a bit creative even with all the challenges.
Sunday, Sept. 6
10:40 am - Thunder vs. Lanakila (Ikaika JV Division) @ Aiea gym
> Micah Visoria
> Chaz Enos
> Felcris Ahadain
> Josh Roberts
> Jhevin Mercado
Kali'a Mielke will be late to the game, his mom said.
? Trinity Martin
? Kyle Moraga (ankle)
? Jared Elwin (football)
11:10 am - Thunder vs. All-Stars (CAL 13U Gold Division) @ Kilauea gym
> Ryan Higashionna
> Jance Apuya
> Skylar Kawakami-bechtel
> Jayden Ramos
> Jonah Gormley
> Walter Berthold
> Lorelai Ramos
Jason Doyle is busy with his family (Grandpa) on Sunday mornings.
For our Thunder Pups who took some lickings last winter before transforming into a very good 13U team, I want to see them thrive.
There are no playoffs in CAL League, so every game is actually a championship game. The Pups are 3-0 right now and deserve the opportunity to play every game at full strength.
That's the plan for now since there's basically zero chance of Ikaika League or CAL League changing the schedule at this point. It will work. And we will be blessed :)
Below is our lineup for the Sunday morning games. I'm posting this because of the overlap between these JV and 13U games and rather than forfeit one or the other, we'll be a bit creative even with all the challenges.
Sunday, Sept. 6
10:40 am - Thunder vs. Lanakila (Ikaika JV Division) @ Aiea gym
> Micah Visoria
> Chaz Enos
> Felcris Ahadain
> Josh Roberts
> Jhevin Mercado
Kali'a Mielke will be late to the game, his mom said.
? Trinity Martin
? Kyle Moraga (ankle)
? Jared Elwin (football)
11:10 am - Thunder vs. All-Stars (CAL 13U Gold Division) @ Kilauea gym
> Ryan Higashionna
> Jance Apuya
> Skylar Kawakami-bechtel
> Jayden Ramos
> Jonah Gormley
> Walter Berthold
> Lorelai Ramos
Jason Doyle is busy with his family (Grandpa) on Sunday mornings.
For our Thunder Pups who took some lickings last winter before transforming into a very good 13U team, I want to see them thrive.
There are no playoffs in CAL League, so every game is actually a championship game. The Pups are 3-0 right now and deserve the opportunity to play every game at full strength.
That's the plan for now since there's basically zero chance of Ikaika League or CAL League changing the schedule at this point. It will work. And we will be blessed :)
Uniforms and Sweat
One of our guys mentioned to me before the second game that his blue uniform was drenched after the first game. The past couple of years, I've left decisions about which uniforms to wear up to you guys as players. So if there was going to be a switch to orange, this would've been the right time.
Right?
Nope. Everybody wore the blue for some reason. Sweaty uniforms lead to wet basketballs and make them harder to control.
I heard some excuses about this and that today, some legit and some just the result of mediocre refereeing. But this one about the uniforms is real. So from now on, if a uniform decision makes no sense, I'll step in. You guys should've had the common sense to switch to a dry uniform on a 94-degree day.
Right?
Nope. Everybody wore the blue for some reason. Sweaty uniforms lead to wet basketballs and make them harder to control.
I heard some excuses about this and that today, some legit and some just the result of mediocre refereeing. But this one about the uniforms is real. So from now on, if a uniform decision makes no sense, I'll step in. You guys should've had the common sense to switch to a dry uniform on a 94-degree day.
Lanakila 29, Thunder 16 (JV)
Ikaika JV Division
Salt Lake gym
Totally fatigued from the earlier PAA JV game. It was 94 degrees outside. Humid inside.
Compared to a month or two ago, our conditioning is hitting a bottom. There were only one or two guys among our starters who was still playing with energy start to finish. The one-handed passes that became turnovers, the lack of box-outs, the lack of physical defense ... it doesn't work against taller, older teams.
It was too bad because Lanakila doesn't have more skill than our team. But they were fresh and we were zombies. Out of shape zombies. On Maui, we played two to three games per day and played strong. Now?
Without actual practice with the whole team there, we're nothing like the team that was cohesive and accurate in the spring and summer. If our players have a solution to this, let's hear it. If it's one practice per week, maybe on Sunday afternoons, that's good with me. Beats having zero practices per week together as a team.
We got by for awhile, going 14-2 in fall leagues. Now we've lost 4 of the last 5 (and the win was a forfeit). The worst part, though, isn't the losing. It's seeing guys not develop into better players, into a better team, during these last several weeks.
Big Mahalo to Jason, Jance's dad, for shooting the game video.
Salt Lake gym
Totally fatigued from the earlier PAA JV game. It was 94 degrees outside. Humid inside.
Compared to a month or two ago, our conditioning is hitting a bottom. There were only one or two guys among our starters who was still playing with energy start to finish. The one-handed passes that became turnovers, the lack of box-outs, the lack of physical defense ... it doesn't work against taller, older teams.
It was too bad because Lanakila doesn't have more skill than our team. But they were fresh and we were zombies. Out of shape zombies. On Maui, we played two to three games per day and played strong. Now?
Without actual practice with the whole team there, we're nothing like the team that was cohesive and accurate in the spring and summer. If our players have a solution to this, let's hear it. If it's one practice per week, maybe on Sunday afternoons, that's good with me. Beats having zero practices per week together as a team.
We got by for awhile, going 14-2 in fall leagues. Now we've lost 4 of the last 5 (and the win was a forfeit). The worst part, though, isn't the losing. It's seeing guys not develop into better players, into a better team, during these last several weeks.
Big Mahalo to Jason, Jance's dad, for shooting the game video.
Storm 39, Thunder 33 (JV)
PAA JV Division
Kilauea gym
A ton of missed layups, turnovers in scoring situations. Rushed shots. Air balls. We did not look like a team that was 5-0 entering this game.
Lot of hustle and heart. Not a lot of basketball IQ out there by our Thunder, especially in the last 2 minutes when we didn't need to jack up off-balance, extra long or rushed 3-pointers being down just 5 or 6 points.
Kilauea gym
A ton of missed layups, turnovers in scoring situations. Rushed shots. Air balls. We did not look like a team that was 5-0 entering this game.
Lot of hustle and heart. Not a lot of basketball IQ out there by our Thunder, especially in the last 2 minutes when we didn't need to jack up off-balance, extra long or rushed 3-pointers being down just 5 or 6 points.
Practice makes perfect.
No practice...
Big Mahalo to Lorelai and her dad, Ray, for shooting the game video.
Friday, September 4, 2015
Combined schedule update 9/4
CAL League just sent the September schedule. There's another overlap (Sept. 20) for our Varsity team, which already has an Ikaika League game that morning, but Greydon called and said he'd adjust his schedule for us.
Please note, CAL also changed our opponent for this Sunday's date. Instead of Team Hustle, we are playing the All-Stars. Like I mentioned earlier, in CAL every game is a championship game. I lub it.
Please note, CAL also changed our opponent for this Sunday's date. Instead of Team Hustle, we are playing the All-Stars. Like I mentioned earlier, in CAL every game is a championship game. I lub it.
Sat Sept 5, 10:15 am vs Hawaii Storm (PAA JV Division), Kilauea gym
** Sat Sept 5, 12:10 pm vs LBC (Ikaika JV Division), Salt Lake gym
Sun Sept 6, 10:40 am vs Lanakila (Ikaika JV Division), Aiea gym
Sun Sept 6 11:10 am vs All-Stars* (CAL 13U Gold Division), Kilauea gym (opponent changed as of 9/4)
Sun Sept 6 1:40 pm vs LBC (CAL Varsity Division), Kilauea gym
Thur Sept 10, 7:15 pm vs Mililani* (PAA JV Division), Kilauea gym (opponent changed as of 8/30). Note: Corrects to new game time.
Sun Sept 13, 11:10 am vs Team Dream (CAL 13U Gold Division), Kilauea gym
% * Tue Sept 15, 6:55 pm vs PC Purple Devils (Ikaika Varsity Division), Palolo gym (opponent changed)
$$ Sat Sept 19, 9:40 am vs Crush (Ikaika JV Division), Salt Lake gym (Opponent changed on 8/20)
Sat Sept 19, 9:30 am vs Ballers 4 Life (PAA JV Division), Kilauea gym
?? Sun Sept 20, 9:30 am vs Tar Heels (CAL Varsity Division), Kilauea gym (Note: Greydon will change this game time to accommodate us.)
* Sun Sept 20, 9:00 am vs Hui (Ikaika Varsity Division), Aiea gym
* Tue Sept 22, 6:00 pm vs Hoops4Christ (Ikaika Varsity Division), Palolo gym
Fri Sept 25, 8:00 pm vs Voyagers (CAL 13U Gold Division), Kilauea gym
Note: Playoffs for Ikaika JV Division begin Tue Sept 28.
Wed Sept 30, 6:40 pm vs 4/Ewa (Ikaika Varsity Division), Aiea gym
Note: Playoffs for Ikaika Varsity Division begin Tue Oct 6
Sunday JV/13U overlap update
(Please check the game schedule update that was posted with an update from CAL League after this post was made.)
Below is our tentative lineup for the Sunday morning games. (Please don't forget that we have two JV games on Saturday.) I'm posting this because of the overlap between these JV and 13U games and rather than forfeit one or the other, we'll be a bit creative even with all the challenges.
Sunday, Sept. 6
10:40 am - Thunder vs. Lanakila (Ikaika JV Division) @ Aiea gym
> Micah Visoria
> Chaz Enos
> Felcris Ahadain
> Josh Roberts
> Jhevin Mercado
Kali‘a will be late to the game, his mom said.
? Trinity Martin
? Kyle Moraga (ankle)
? Jared Elwin (football)
11:10 am - Thunder vs. Team Hustle (CAL 13U Gold Division) @ Kilauea gym
> Ryan Higashionna
> Jance Apuya
> Skylar Kawakami-Bechtel
> Jayden Ramos
> Jonah Gormley
> Walter Berthold
> Lorelai Ramos?
Jason Doyle is busy with his family (Grandpa) on Sunday mornings.
I know some of our guys want to forget about the 13U game and go play with the JV, thinking Team Hustle isn't a strong team or whatever. But please remember this: The moment you let your guard down is when any team can and will take advantage.
Team Hustle comes from their coach's clinics and camps. They could easily add players to their roster in CAL and be much better than we've seen. For our Thunder Pups who took some lickings last winter before transforming into a very good 13U team, I want to see them thrive.
There are no playoffs in CAL League, so every game is actually a championship game. The Pups are 3-0 right now and deserve the opportunity to play every game at full strength.
That's the plan for now since there's basically zero chance of Ikaika League or CAL League changing the schedule at this point. It will work. And we will be blessed :)
Below is our tentative lineup for the Sunday morning games. (Please don't forget that we have two JV games on Saturday.) I'm posting this because of the overlap between these JV and 13U games and rather than forfeit one or the other, we'll be a bit creative even with all the challenges.
Sunday, Sept. 6
10:40 am - Thunder vs. Lanakila (Ikaika JV Division) @ Aiea gym
> Micah Visoria
> Chaz Enos
> Felcris Ahadain
> Josh Roberts
> Jhevin Mercado
Kali‘a will be late to the game, his mom said.
? Trinity Martin
? Kyle Moraga (ankle)
? Jared Elwin (football)
11:10 am - Thunder vs. Team Hustle (CAL 13U Gold Division) @ Kilauea gym
> Ryan Higashionna
> Jance Apuya
> Skylar Kawakami-Bechtel
> Jayden Ramos
> Jonah Gormley
> Walter Berthold
> Lorelai Ramos?
Jason Doyle is busy with his family (Grandpa) on Sunday mornings.
I know some of our guys want to forget about the 13U game and go play with the JV, thinking Team Hustle isn't a strong team or whatever. But please remember this: The moment you let your guard down is when any team can and will take advantage.
Team Hustle comes from their coach's clinics and camps. They could easily add players to their roster in CAL and be much better than we've seen. For our Thunder Pups who took some lickings last winter before transforming into a very good 13U team, I want to see them thrive.
There are no playoffs in CAL League, so every game is actually a championship game. The Pups are 3-0 right now and deserve the opportunity to play every game at full strength.
That's the plan for now since there's basically zero chance of Ikaika League or CAL League changing the schedule at this point. It will work. And we will be blessed :)
Sat Sept 5, 10:15 am vs Hawaii Storm (PAA JV Division), Kilauea gym
** Sat Sept 5, 12:10 pm vs LBC (Ikaika JV Division), Salt Lake gym
Sun Sept 6, 10:40 am vs Lanakila (Ikaika JV Division), Aiea gym
Sun Sept 6 11:10 am vs Team Hustle (CAL 13U Gold Division), Kilauea gym
Sun Sept 6 1:40 pm vs LBC (CAL Varsity Division), Kilauea gym
Pace, platooning and 80 ppg
After the first 9 or so games of 2014-15 season, Carleston State (Division III) started averaging 115 points per game. Not much size, not a lot of superstars. Just a lot of depth, 5-in/5-out platooning, skilled shooting and work ethic.
Back in 2010 when we started our Thunder team, our goal was to score 80 points per game. Our 17U team that year almost did it. They averaged around 65 ppg and would've had more if I hadn't made them hold the ball in the last 5 minutes of most games because we were blowing teams out.
Our 15U team was mostly 14-year-olds like Isaiah Visoria, Keanu Vela, Josh Kuroda — guards who could run, press and shoot — and they often scored 30 to 40 points before halftime. But we had only 7 or 8 players, so depth was thin and we usually didn't sustain that pace and production in the second half. They were borderline incredible much of the time, though. Scored 43 points in a first half one day against a big Kapolei team.
The difference between those teams and our teams now is simple: they worked on their shooting all the time, both at practice and on their own time. And they loved it. It was fun. Always is. Of course, those Thunder teams were in outstanding physical condition.
It's a blessing to be tall, a 7-footer maybe, and jump like crazy. But it's also a blessing to have an opportunity every day to work on getting better. I don't assume every one of our Varsity and JV teams should average 80. But I also never assume it's impossible.
Video: Thunder vs Kapolei Canes (V)
Highlights
Full game footage
vs Kapolei Canes (V) 9/2/2015
Ikaika League, Varsity Division
∆∆ Full game http://youtu.be/vbgsBlxlVmg
∆∆ Highlights http://youtu.be/GYnTLXiowjk
Video: Brandon Higashionna.
Score: Kapolei 61, Thunder 43.
Full game footage
vs Kapolei Canes (V) 9/2/2015
Ikaika League, Varsity Division
∆∆ Full game http://youtu.be/vbgsBlxlVmg
∆∆ Highlights http://youtu.be/GYnTLXiowjk
Video: Brandon Higashionna.
Score: Kapolei 61, Thunder 43.
Video: Thunder vs Lanakila (V)
Highlights
Full game footage
vs Lanakila (V) 8/29/2015
CAL League, Varsity Division
∆∆ Full game http://youtu.be/V2bIAx0KEIg
∆∆ Highlights http://youtu.be/Ao2zbDaDc5s
Video: Brandon Higashionna.
Score: Lanakila 55, Thunder 39.
vs Lanakila (V) 8/29/2015
CAL League, Varsity Division
∆∆ Full game http://youtu.be/V2bIAx0KEIg
∆∆ Highlights http://youtu.be/Ao2zbDaDc5s
Video: Brandon Higashionna.
Score: Lanakila 55, Thunder 39.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Thunder Alert: Thur game cancelled
Just got a call from PAA League (Gerald). Sharks-Black don't have enough players to play tonight's game so they are forfeiting. NO GAME TONIGHT. Enjoy the extra time and double check that homework, everybody!
NEXT
Sat Sept 5, 10:15 am vs Hawaii Storm (PAA JV Division), Kilauea gym
Sat Sept 5, 12:10 pm vs LBC (Ikaika JV Division), Salt Lake gym
Sun Sept 6, 10:40 am vs Lanakila (Ikaika JV Division), Aiea gym
Sun Sept 6, 11:10 am vs Team Hustle (CAL 13U Gold Division), Kilauea gym
Sun Sept 6, 1:40 pm vs Lanakila II (CAL Varsity Division), Kilauea gym
NEXT
Sat Sept 5, 10:15 am vs Hawaii Storm (PAA JV Division), Kilauea gym
Sat Sept 5, 12:10 pm vs LBC (Ikaika JV Division), Salt Lake gym
Sun Sept 6, 10:40 am vs Lanakila (Ikaika JV Division), Aiea gym
Sun Sept 6, 11:10 am vs Team Hustle (CAL 13U Gold Division), Kilauea gym
Sun Sept 6, 1:40 pm vs Lanakila II (CAL Varsity Division), Kilauea gym
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
2016 H1 Thunder Travel
Simple in or out is all I need to hear from all our Thunder players and parents. I'm planning on us starting fundraisers soon. At roughly $1,500 per player for a 10-11 day trip in early July to Las Vegas and Anaheim (plans can change, but that's what I have pencilled in), and another $550 to return to the Maui Classic in late July, we can get ahead of the 8-ball by attacking the challenge this fall and early winter.
(NOTE: If $1,500 sounds like a lot of fundraising, yes, it is. And a few of our younger players raised half of that and more in just one month of fundraising this summer. Just takes commitment and follow-through. Most of our Intermediate guys — and Mosi — who went on the trip raised $300-$400 in that short period of time.)
Then we can resume fundraising hard after the high school season. We may have a fundraiser during the winter for the families that are willing to do so rather than sit out from raising money for 2-3 months. NOTE: We will be playing in Intermediate (and younger age-group) winter leagues just like the past year if we have the numbers.
Check out the basics below and please respond to me by Labor Day (Sept. 7) with a YES or NO for the mainland trip, and YES or NO for the Maui trip.
Early-Mid July
Las Vegas Live or Adidas Super 48
Swoosh SoCal Showcase (Anaheim)
> Disneyland
This would include 16U, 15U and/or 14U teams.
Late July
Maui Summer Classic
They go by Varsity (outgoing seniors are eligible), JV and Intermediate divisions.
Text or call me at 551-1054.
Mahalo!
(NOTE: If $1,500 sounds like a lot of fundraising, yes, it is. And a few of our younger players raised half of that and more in just one month of fundraising this summer. Just takes commitment and follow-through. Most of our Intermediate guys — and Mosi — who went on the trip raised $300-$400 in that short period of time.)
Then we can resume fundraising hard after the high school season. We may have a fundraiser during the winter for the families that are willing to do so rather than sit out from raising money for 2-3 months. NOTE: We will be playing in Intermediate (and younger age-group) winter leagues just like the past year if we have the numbers.
Check out the basics below and please respond to me by Labor Day (Sept. 7) with a YES or NO for the mainland trip, and YES or NO for the Maui trip.
Early-Mid July
Las Vegas Live or Adidas Super 48
Swoosh SoCal Showcase (Anaheim)
> Disneyland
This would include 16U, 15U and/or 14U teams.
Late July
Maui Summer Classic
They go by Varsity (outgoing seniors are eligible), JV and Intermediate divisions.
Text or call me at 551-1054.
Mahalo!
Growing pains
Kali'a had an interesting point after our game today at Aiea gym. We were short-handed, much more than I'd expected — the guys who were bowling in ILH matches, that really caught me off guard (with them we probably would've beat Kapolei Canes). So Kali‘a asked why I don't ask more guys to come to the games.
Between the blog announcements, the emails of the blog announcements, me putting the info on Facebook and constant texts, by the time I get every bit of information and game video links and everything else out, I am FRIED. If I had to call every player and parent individually to beg them to show up to every game, there would be nothing left of me. I do have a full-time job. I do take it seriously. And I take everything we do as a Thunder Ohana seriously. So many parents make so many sacrifices for our keiki.
I know Kali‘a makes an extra effort often to get in touch with guys to remind them about our game schedule, that he needs them to show up and help our team compete and win every time we have a game. I consider Kali‘a a great team leader. But even he's getting the same kind of frustration I've had over the years when teammates just don't seem to have the same passion they once did. Maybe they're more into their girlfriends. Maybe they would rather go to the mall. Maybe they just don't have the drive anymore and the dream of playing college basketball is less important. Who knows?
But as for me, I'm supposed to call every player individually for every single game..? We've had 127 games since Winter season began. Mulitply that by the 20+ players we have on our Varsity, JV and Intermediate/13U rosters, and then add in all the parents. I love all of you guys, but there's no way I have the time or energy — especially while I'm driving — to get in touch individually with every single player and parent about every upcoming game. Can't be done!
I wouldn't mind doing it if I actually had the time. But I don't. People sometimes ask me how I have the time to coach. I always tell them the truth: We have awesome parents who help out a ton. They check the emails and texts and blog posts and updates on changing schedules. Some of our players do the same. Some don't. I don't know why they don't keep track. Maybe they're used to their parents doing everything for them.
When we get to the point where all our Thunder players understand that the commitment to building a great team is on their shoulders, then they will grasp success and embrace every challenge. That comes with maturity and maturity comes with time. Hopefully, not too much time because these years go by so quickly. One blink, and the school year is gone. One blink, and you're too old to play 13U and Intermediate anymore. One blink, and high school is pau.
You want your teammates to show up for every game? Talk to them. Expect the best from them and yourselves. I've done enough talking. If you love the game and love your team, be there. Talk to each other. Us adults do what we can do, but we can't manufacture unity and commitment. You guys either got it or you don't. For the most part, it seems you do.
I checked yesterday for the first time in ages. Counting winter season, we have 84 wins and 43 losses (including tonight's game).
(Correction: We've played 123 games as of 9/2/15, won 85 and lost 38. I made a mistake counting the games that we have scheduled later this week. And we had a forfeit win earlier in the year that I missed.)
This fall, we're a combined 15-4 even though only 3-4 players are showing up to practice daily. You may see this as success, winning two JV titles, taking an Intermediate crown on Maui (with just 7 players). That would be true, it is success. What happens from here?
Do you become a dominant team as juniors and sophomores? Or do you sink into this complacency and flatline until you become seniors and juniors? Oh, I don't know the answer to this. It's out of my control and I can only hope we have the kind of hunger that drove our earliest 17U team (2011) and 13U championship team in Anaheim (2013). Or that hunger we had in Spring of this year when 15 to 20 players were coming to practice and scrimmaging.
This complacency in attitude and work ethic is the same exact thing we're seeing in the first half of every varsity game this fall. Whether it's a high school or college coach or manager at a restaurant or an athletic director or principal who calls me and asks detailed questions about the work ethic and true character of any of our Thunder keiki over the years, I always tell the truth. Kids will be kids. Nobody's perfect. But when they ask me about the future, I can't project anything aside from what I see in front of my eyes. Now really does count, and whatever each of us invests now with time, attitude, energy, old-fashioned sweaty work ethic, that's what builds a future,
I sure as heck hate liars. The last thing I'll ever do is lie to anyone in authority who asks me the most basic questions. For the most part, I've had a lot of great memories and thoughts to share with people when they've asked. I hope it stays this way, even though I have reason to have my doubts lately.
Between the blog announcements, the emails of the blog announcements, me putting the info on Facebook and constant texts, by the time I get every bit of information and game video links and everything else out, I am FRIED. If I had to call every player and parent individually to beg them to show up to every game, there would be nothing left of me. I do have a full-time job. I do take it seriously. And I take everything we do as a Thunder Ohana seriously. So many parents make so many sacrifices for our keiki.
I know Kali‘a makes an extra effort often to get in touch with guys to remind them about our game schedule, that he needs them to show up and help our team compete and win every time we have a game. I consider Kali‘a a great team leader. But even he's getting the same kind of frustration I've had over the years when teammates just don't seem to have the same passion they once did. Maybe they're more into their girlfriends. Maybe they would rather go to the mall. Maybe they just don't have the drive anymore and the dream of playing college basketball is less important. Who knows?
But as for me, I'm supposed to call every player individually for every single game..? We've had 127 games since Winter season began. Mulitply that by the 20+ players we have on our Varsity, JV and Intermediate/13U rosters, and then add in all the parents. I love all of you guys, but there's no way I have the time or energy — especially while I'm driving — to get in touch individually with every single player and parent about every upcoming game. Can't be done!
I wouldn't mind doing it if I actually had the time. But I don't. People sometimes ask me how I have the time to coach. I always tell them the truth: We have awesome parents who help out a ton. They check the emails and texts and blog posts and updates on changing schedules. Some of our players do the same. Some don't. I don't know why they don't keep track. Maybe they're used to their parents doing everything for them.
When we get to the point where all our Thunder players understand that the commitment to building a great team is on their shoulders, then they will grasp success and embrace every challenge. That comes with maturity and maturity comes with time. Hopefully, not too much time because these years go by so quickly. One blink, and the school year is gone. One blink, and you're too old to play 13U and Intermediate anymore. One blink, and high school is pau.
You want your teammates to show up for every game? Talk to them. Expect the best from them and yourselves. I've done enough talking. If you love the game and love your team, be there. Talk to each other. Us adults do what we can do, but we can't manufacture unity and commitment. You guys either got it or you don't. For the most part, it seems you do.
I checked yesterday for the first time in ages. Counting winter season, we have 84 wins and 43 losses (including tonight's game).
(Correction: We've played 123 games as of 9/2/15, won 85 and lost 38. I made a mistake counting the games that we have scheduled later this week. And we had a forfeit win earlier in the year that I missed.)
This fall, we're a combined 15-4 even though only 3-4 players are showing up to practice daily. You may see this as success, winning two JV titles, taking an Intermediate crown on Maui (with just 7 players). That would be true, it is success. What happens from here?
Do you become a dominant team as juniors and sophomores? Or do you sink into this complacency and flatline until you become seniors and juniors? Oh, I don't know the answer to this. It's out of my control and I can only hope we have the kind of hunger that drove our earliest 17U team (2011) and 13U championship team in Anaheim (2013). Or that hunger we had in Spring of this year when 15 to 20 players were coming to practice and scrimmaging.
This complacency in attitude and work ethic is the same exact thing we're seeing in the first half of every varsity game this fall. Whether it's a high school or college coach or manager at a restaurant or an athletic director or principal who calls me and asks detailed questions about the work ethic and true character of any of our Thunder keiki over the years, I always tell the truth. Kids will be kids. Nobody's perfect. But when they ask me about the future, I can't project anything aside from what I see in front of my eyes. Now really does count, and whatever each of us invests now with time, attitude, energy, old-fashioned sweaty work ethic, that's what builds a future,
I sure as heck hate liars. The last thing I'll ever do is lie to anyone in authority who asks me the most basic questions. For the most part, I've had a lot of great memories and thoughts to share with people when they've asked. I hope it stays this way, even though I have reason to have my doubts lately.
Thursday pickup route
5:30 pm - Micah? Chaz?
5:35 pm - Felcris?
6:00 pm - Snack.
6:45 pm - Stretching/warmups at Kilauea gym.
7:45 pm - H1 Thunder vs. Sharks-Black (PAA JV Division), Kilauea gym.
8:45 pm - Straight home.
If anyone needs a ride, call/text 551-1054 before 4:00 pm.
WE LUB THIS GAAAAME!!
5:35 pm - Felcris?
6:00 pm - Snack.
6:45 pm - Stretching/warmups at Kilauea gym.
7:45 pm - H1 Thunder vs. Sharks-Black (PAA JV Division), Kilauea gym.
8:45 pm - Straight home.
If anyone needs a ride, call/text 551-1054 before 4:00 pm.
WE LUB THIS GAAAAME!!
Ikaika V/JV League waiver form
Heads up, everybody. Ikaika League waiver forms are needed. A few of our players and parents have signed them, but that's it. So please click THIS LINK and print this waiver form out.
WAIVER FORM HERE (Ikaika League)
If you play in both Ikaika League JV and Varsity for H1 Thunder, just fill out one form. If you play for a school team in one division, you will still need to sign a form (parent and player) for H1 Thunder in that specific division (JV or V).
Ikaika League JV game is on Saturday, Sept. 5, so please bring your signed waiver form to that game. Ikaika League Varsity game is Tuesday, Sept. 15, so bring your form then or before that at practice or any other Thunder age-group game you're watching.
Mahalo!
WAIVER FORM HERE (Ikaika League)
If you play in both Ikaika League JV and Varsity for H1 Thunder, just fill out one form. If you play for a school team in one division, you will still need to sign a form (parent and player) for H1 Thunder in that specific division (JV or V).
Ikaika League JV game is on Saturday, Sept. 5, so please bring your signed waiver form to that game. Ikaika League Varsity game is Tuesday, Sept. 15, so bring your form then or before that at practice or any other Thunder age-group game you're watching.
Mahalo!
Kapolei Canes 61, H1 Thunder 43 (V)
Ikaika League, Varsity Division, Aiea gym
The pressured us with traps at midcourt, right in the middle, and we didn't execute against it until late in the first half. Tenchi did a nice job as the "hub" in the middle, getting some layups and dishing some passes for buckets. Overall, we had lots of opportunities. Kapolei left the back side open every time, but holding the ball too long got our smaller guards trapped by their tall defenders. We also did a very poor job of cutting after making that pass to the middle or wing.
It got better as the game went along, but by then we were already down 20-22 points. Kali‘a, Michael, Ryan and Tenchi played every minute since we only had 6 players tonight. They gutted it out and moved the ball fairly well. Once Ryan got used to that midcourt trap, he was in control and found Tenchi again and again as we broke down the only defense they showed us. (That included putting a man on Michael to deny him the ball.) Skylar was fearless and attacked the rim, hit a 3, did a nice job off the bench as an 8th grader going up against a bunch of seniors.
Nice job getting the lead down to 10 or 12 at one point in the second half.
Kapolei was on fire, hitting at least six or seven 3-pointers in the first half. They finished with around nine or 10 treys. The next time we play this team, hopefully we have a fuller roster. Some of our guys who couldn't make it today would've blown past those midcourt traps for layups and dimes. Today, we just needed move the ball quicker and smarter earlier in the game, and that will come with experience.
The pressured us with traps at midcourt, right in the middle, and we didn't execute against it until late in the first half. Tenchi did a nice job as the "hub" in the middle, getting some layups and dishing some passes for buckets. Overall, we had lots of opportunities. Kapolei left the back side open every time, but holding the ball too long got our smaller guards trapped by their tall defenders. We also did a very poor job of cutting after making that pass to the middle or wing.
It got better as the game went along, but by then we were already down 20-22 points. Kali‘a, Michael, Ryan and Tenchi played every minute since we only had 6 players tonight. They gutted it out and moved the ball fairly well. Once Ryan got used to that midcourt trap, he was in control and found Tenchi again and again as we broke down the only defense they showed us. (That included putting a man on Michael to deny him the ball.) Skylar was fearless and attacked the rim, hit a 3, did a nice job off the bench as an 8th grader going up against a bunch of seniors.
Nice job getting the lead down to 10 or 12 at one point in the second half.
Kapolei was on fire, hitting at least six or seven 3-pointers in the first half. They finished with around nine or 10 treys. The next time we play this team, hopefully we have a fuller roster. Some of our guys who couldn't make it today would've blown past those midcourt traps for layups and dimes. Today, we just needed move the ball quicker and smarter earlier in the game, and that will come with experience.
Game Day: Ikaika Varsity League
H1 Thunder vs. Kapolei Canes, Aiea gym, 5 pm. Varsity Division.
If you need a ride, let me know before 2:00 pm. I have a dentist appointment 2:00 and will go straight to Aiea from there. I can pick up but not if you call too late. TRAFFIC. Leave early or be stuck.
WE LUB THIS GAAAME!!
If you need a ride, let me know before 2:00 pm. I have a dentist appointment 2:00 and will go straight to Aiea from there. I can pick up but not if you call too late. TRAFFIC. Leave early or be stuck.
WE LUB THIS GAAAME!!
All hands on deck: Sun JV game
** CORRECTION: game is at Aiea gym.
## Sunday 1040 am - Thunder game, Ikaika JV League, Aiea District Park gym.
Please turn out in full force. Our 13U has an 1110 am game at Kilauea gym so the JV is shorthanded. Need all JV to show up. I can drop guys off at salt lake 940 am before I go to Kilauea. Coach Larry working so I'm hoping Coach Rob can take over. With Coach Bino and Coach Roy.
Kali'a, Felcris in. Kyle injured. Trinity, Jhevin and Josh Roberts not sure. I'm hoping Jared can play.
## Sunday 1040 am - Thunder game, Ikaika JV League, Aiea District Park gym.
Please turn out in full force. Our 13U has an 1110 am game at Kilauea gym so the JV is shorthanded. Need all JV to show up. I can drop guys off at salt lake 940 am before I go to Kilauea. Coach Larry working so I'm hoping Coach Rob can take over. With Coach Bino and Coach Roy.
Kali'a, Felcris in. Kyle injured. Trinity, Jhevin and Josh Roberts not sure. I'm hoping Jared can play.
CAL Varsity game on Sunday
*** UPDATE as of 9/2/15: CAL League added a Varsity game on Sunday for H1 Thunder ***
Wed Sept 2, 5:00 pm vs Kapolei Canes (Ikaika Varsity Division), Aiea gym
Thur Sept 3, 7:45 pm vs Sharks-Black* (PAA JV Division), Kilauea gym (opponent changed as of 8/30)
Sat Sept 5, 10:15 am vs Hawaii Storm (PAA JV Division), Kilauea gym
Sat Sept 5, 12:10 pm vs LBC (Ikaika JV Division), Salt Lake gym
Sun Sept 6, 10:40 am vs Lanakila (Ikaika JV Division), Aiea gym
Sun Sept 6 11:10 am vs Team Hustle (CAL 13U Gold Division), Kilauea gym
Sun Sept 6 1:40 pm vs Lanakila II (CAL Varsity Division), Kilauea gym
Wed Sept 2, 5:00 pm vs Kapolei Canes (Ikaika Varsity Division), Aiea gym
Thur Sept 3, 7:45 pm vs Sharks-Black* (PAA JV Division), Kilauea gym (opponent changed as of 8/30)
Sat Sept 5, 10:15 am vs Hawaii Storm (PAA JV Division), Kilauea gym
Sat Sept 5, 12:10 pm vs LBC (Ikaika JV Division), Salt Lake gym
Sun Sept 6, 10:40 am vs Lanakila (Ikaika JV Division), Aiea gym
Sun Sept 6 11:10 am vs Team Hustle (CAL 13U Gold Division), Kilauea gym
Sun Sept 6 1:40 pm vs Lanakila II (CAL Varsity Division), Kilauea gym
Video: Thunder vs H4C (JV)
Highlights
Full game footage
vs Hoops4Christ (JV) 8/29/2015
Ikaika League, JV Division
∆∆ Full game http://youtu.be/zX7tY-Baw6M
∆∆ Highlights http://youtu.be/5mFTeTLzkUM
Video: Brandon Higashionna.
Score: Thunder 45, H4C 31.
vs Hoops4Christ (JV) 8/29/2015
Ikaika League, JV Division
∆∆ Full game http://youtu.be/zX7tY-Baw6M
∆∆ Highlights http://youtu.be/5mFTeTLzkUM
Video: Brandon Higashionna.
Score: Thunder 45, H4C 31.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Video: Thunder vs Sharks-Green (JV)
Highlights
Full game footage
vs Sharks-Green (JV) 8/27/2015
PAA League, JV Division
∆∆ Full game http://youtu.be/62gYBux3QIA
∆∆ Highlights http://youtu.be/wnLp6nSvFy4
Video: Brandon Higashionna.
Score: Thunder 41, Sharks 35.
vs Sharks-Green (JV) 8/27/2015
PAA League, JV Division
∆∆ Full game http://youtu.be/62gYBux3QIA
∆∆ Highlights http://youtu.be/wnLp6nSvFy4
Video: Brandon Higashionna.
Score: Thunder 41, Sharks 35.
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