Damien 5th Grade: Wolves 35, Thunder 9

Very, very proud of our young Pups and their heart today.

With EZ and Caleb on vacation, that's two strong 5th grade Thunder we missed. Howevaaahhh... our intensity and toughness were at a high level against a tall, big and talented Wolves team.
One year can make a major difference, and our 4th graders are really close to competing and succeeding against teams stocked with 5th graders (and teams with older kids who repeated a grade). Tonight, we attacked their man defense and fullcourt pressure, got some nice plays, and we have a good foundation to build on with our 4th graders Eisley, Avari, Miki, Amac and 3rd grader TJ. Don't forget, CAL 4th Grade begins next Sunday 🙂

Our 5th graders today, Ebomb and Haden, battled in the paint against Wolves' big guys. We will keep working on boxing out and positioning, and especially communicating. When our 5th Thunder team up with DJ, Kye and Kellen for 6th Grade in CAL and PAA, that will be a unique team with shooters, tough defenders and great brotherhood 🙂

Note: PAA League (Lloyd Lee) texted and emailed today that he will start the 4th, 6th and 8th Grade seasons in February. Games will be on Sundays at Koko Head gym. I'll work with him to juggle the schedules and avoid overlapping games.

Our 4th has work to do, but don't forget that they won CAL 4th Grade last season (fall). Undefeated. Almost all the games were close, but their IQ and defense were at elite level in that grade level. Other teams will compete extra hard against us, but we'll be quite hungry after this experience in Damien 5th Grade ⚡️⚡️⚡️ Front: Eisley, Miki, Avery (Amac), TJ.
Back: Haden, Avari, Ethan (Ebomb).
Missing from photo: Kye.

Updated schedule 12/30/18

* * * 2018 Combined Schedule * * *

Updated Sunday Dec 30 11:55 pm

Adds practice schedule. Optional shooting Monday. Holiday/no practice Tuesday.

> Please arrive one hour before games for stretching, pre-game meeting and warmups.

> All practices at Makiki Park. Bring a large bottled water. Cloudy days bring a jacket. Daily: 100 pushups, 100 crunches, 200 shots (50 lefties, 50 righties, 50 3-pointers, 50 FTs.) 

Thank you, Thunder Ohana 🙂     

Monday, Dec. 31 (New Year's Eve)

2:00 pm - Optional shooting drills. 

Tuesday, Jan. 1

No practice. Happy New Year!

Wednesday, Jan. 2

4:00 pm - Practice, all ages. Pau 6:00 pm.

Thursday, Jan. 3

4:00 pm - Practice, all ages. Pau 5:30 pm.

Friday, Jan. 4

4:00 pm - Practice, all ages. Pau 6:00 pm.

Saturday, Jan. 5

No practice.

Sunday, Jan. 6

CAL League opening day. Schedule TBA.

February 2019 - PAA Spring League 

Early June or mid-July 2019

H1 Thunder Trip

Please contact Coach Paul for year-round fundraising opportunities (Big Island Candies, Jamba Juice, Mike's Huli Chicken and more) 🙂

Friday practice CANCELLED (Dec 28)

The rain stopped off and on, but it's still too wet and there was some thunder. Forecast calls for more of the same. Rest up, do your 100s and hug your mom, dad and family, Thunder 🙂

We'll have optional shooting Sunday, weather permitting. 5th Grade team, rest until Sunday night's game.

Friday practice update

It's wet and cloudy this morning. Forecast is for more rain. Practice is not cancelled yet though. Weather patterns can change within an hour. Best-case scenario is that the rain stops in the afternoon, and we can walk through offense and defense. No running on a wet court, just walking though. We need those team reps every day. And hopefully shooting reps. 

I'll post an update by 1:00 pm. 

CAL League update, Damien 5th Grade game this Sunday

>> CAL League

Just announced: CAL winter season for H1 Thunder 4th, 6th and 8th grade begins on Sunday, January 6.

Our 6th and 8th Grade Thunder will be in Silver Division. 6th grade lost two experienced returnees. We're young, overall. The roster has  5th and 4th graders. If we win our first two games, The league director Greydon Espinda will probably move us to Gold Division.

Our 8th Grade Thunder - We lost more than half our team and our new players are still learning and training. They have good potential if they keep working every day together. We want 2-3 more players to strengthen the team.

NOTE: PAA 4th/6th/8th Grade League (Lloyd Lee) said the season will begin in March instead of February.

>> Damien 5th Grade game Sunday

Jill Higashi of Damien League sent an email about the new schedule (see screenshot). Our 5th Grade Thunder play on Sunday, 6:45 pm against Wolves.

There will still be one more game in January. 

>> Ikaika League 

Also, Ikaika League has not sent me an update recently. All my communication and questions regarding the officiating issues last fall season led nowhere. The referee association (Brian Yamasaki) wants me to write an apology in the newspaper for an email I wrote to them. (That won't happen.)

Otherwise Brian says they will not officiate any game that I coach. It's complicated and it has nothing to do with our team. I didn't have a technical foul during the season. I spoke with Brian and he said Clay Tang of Ikaika League is making him the scapegoat. Confusing? Very much so.

Between Brian and Clay Tang of Ikaika League, they simply don't like anyone asking questions. 

When I fought on behalf of our players and teams for explanations when we had issues about officiating, apparently one of our coaches did not have my back. Instead, he pushed for me to be banned, had secret meetings, and that's when he left us and started his own team, poaching our players and still trying. He tried to poach Kellen from us. Kellen told him, I only play for the Thunder. 

Whatever happens -- we could have Jesse and Tom coach in that league -- will be for the best. 

CAL League and PAA League have always treated us fairly. I've been able to communicate with those directors. So if we play in those two leagues, no Ikaika, that's fine with me. CAL plays on weekends only, and that makes scheduling and study time better for everyone.

Updated schedule 12/25/18

* * * 2018 Combined Schedule * * *
Updated Tuesday Dec 25 1:15 pm
Adds this week's practice schedule

> Please arrive one hour before games for stretching, pre-game meeting and warmups.

> All practices at Makiki Park. Bring a large bottled water. Cloudy days bring a jacket. Daily: 100 pushups, 100 crunches, 200 shots (50 lefties, 50 righties, 50 3-pointers, 50 FTs.)

Thank you, Thunder Ohana 🙂

Wednesday, Dec. 26
4:30 pm - Practice, all ages.

Thursday, Dec. 27
4:30 pm - Practice, 8th Grade.

Friday, Dec. 28
4:30 pm - Practice, all ages.

Saturday, Dec. 29
No practice

Sunday, Dec. 30
2:00 pm - Optional shooting drills.

January 2019 - CAL Winter League, Ikaika Winter League
February 2019 - PAA Spring League
Early June 2019
H1 Thunder Trip: Las Vegas plus one more city.

Please contact Coach Paul for year-round fundraising opportunities (Big Island Candies, Jamba Juice, Mike's Huli Chicken and more) 🙂

Guess who's back?

Got a phone call recently from one of our early-days Thunder ballers (4th Grade back then). Kellen Fortson is back with us. He was always one of our smartest and toughest Thunder, and he's ready to play full-time. DJ was stoked when I told him yesterday. We missed Kellen. Tough as a rock on the court. Fun loving and a gentleman off the court. Welcome back, Kellen! #h1thunder #greatteammates #Godisalwaysgood

Counting our blessings

Merry Christmas, Merri Kurisimasu and Happy New Year!

2018 has been a year of sweat, fun, victories on and off the court, heartbreak and renewal. I'm always amazed by the resilience and joy of our H1 Thunder keiki and parents. For many years, going back to the 1980s when I began coaching, I've always wondered what kids are capable of when they work together and get better each day.

Well, I've found that behind a young player who succeeds in basketball or any other craft, is an amazing parent or parents who provide all the support imaginable. The ones who stick it out through good and tough times reap the greatest rewards. So, for every young player who leaves or quits, we have other players who are intertwined with their teammates. Their friends. There are parents who understand the process of daily repetition. Of allowing their children to be coached. To be corrected on fundamentals. To be disciplined for wayward attitude or actions. To withstand all the ups and downs and simply keep marching forward together as a basketball ohana.

That's what is most exciting and satisfying for me. Not wins and losses, and not perfect scenarios. It's the will and the power within to accept the journey, to teach our keiki what unity is, what hard work is, what fun is as a team. What loyalty and brother-sisterhood truly are about. There are a few people who tried to break this team apart, who had their own personal agendas all along, and ultimately put their own selves ahead of our ohana. Tried to tear us apart and didn't care one bit about tearing us apart. About breaking up friendships among our keiki for selfish reasons, lying to me, lying to others. Continuing to try and poach keiki from our ohana to join their new team. Even now.

Eventually the truth prevails. I have faith in doing the right thing. I forgive.

The pilikia caused by those who hurt our keiki -- that's God's kuleana, not mine. We keep moving forward in joy, in sweat, in appreciation of the process. Only God is perfect, and the road is bumpy. So we keep working and enjoying each other. That's all we can do. The joy of the Lord is our strength. (Neh. 8:10) Always will be. And as we welcome back old friends, new players and new families, the joy grows!

Thank you, Thunder parents and friends. Mahalo, Thunder ballers. You make every practice and game worth all the effort. God is always good. I'm looking forward to a blessed 2019 :)

Updated schedule 12/17/18

* * * 2018 Combined Schedule * * *

Updated Monday, 8:30 am

Big Mahalo to Uncle Dean Anderson for running shooting practices the past week. I've got 'Iolani Classic again (boys), but we'll keep working.

Please note: 8th Grade scrimmage at Kilauea gym on Tuesday and 5th Grade game Thursday at Damien.

> Please arrive one hour before games for stretching, pre-game meeting and warmups.

> All practices at Makiki Park. Bring a large bottled water. Cloudy days bring a jacket. Daily: 100 pushups, 100 crunches, 200 shots (50 lefties, 50 righties, 50 3-pointers, 50 FTs.) 

Thank you, Thunder Ohana 🙂     

Monday, Dec. 17

4:30 pm - Practice, all ages. Pau 6:30.

Tuesday, Dec. 18

No pracrice.

3:45 pm - Meet at Kilauea gym (next to Kaimuki Middle. Stretching and warmups. 

4:30 pm - Scrimmage with Kaimuki Middle team. Pau 5:30.

Wednesday, Dec. 19

No practice. 

Thursday, Dec. 20 

>> 6:00 pm - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Roundball, Damien gym. 

Note: TBA, final game will be scheduled in January. 

Friday, Dec. 21

No practice. 

* Cancelled, November - CAL 6th Grade league.

January 2019 - CAL Winter League, Ikaika Winter League

February 2019 - PAA Spring League 

Early June 2019

H1 Thunder Trip: Las Vegas plus one more city. 

Please contact Coach Paul for year-round fundraising opportunities (Big Island Candies, Jamba Juice, Mike's Huli Chicken and more) 🙂

Updated schedule 12/9/18

* * * 2018 Combined Schedule * * *

Updated Sunday 11:00 pm

(Updated - Uncle Dean, Kona's dad, will be at shooting workouts on Thursday and Saturday. Mahalo Dean!)

> Super crazy busy work week for me with all-state football photo shoots and interviews to do. We will practice on Wednesday and Friday. If any of our parents can help out, we can have shooting workouts on the other days, too. My apologies.

> Please arrive one hour before games for stretching, pre-game meeting and warmups.

> All practices at Makiki Park. Bring a large bottled water. Cloudy days bring a jacket. Daily: 100 pushups, 100 crunches, 200 shots (50 lefties, 50 righties, 50 3-pointers, 50 FTs.) 

Thank you, Thunder Ohana 🙂     

Monday, Dec. 10

No practice.

Tuesday, Dec. 11

No practice.

Wednesday, Dec. 12

4:30 pm - Practice all ages. Pau 6:00 pm. 

Thursday, Dec. 13

4:30 pm - Shooting workout (Dean). Pau 6:30 pm.

Friday, Dec. 14

4:30 pm - Practice all ages. Pau 6:00 pm. 

Saturday, Dec. 15

4:30 pm - Shooting workout (Dean). Pau 6:30 pm.

Sunday, Dec. 16

** New game time - 11:00 am - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Roundball, Damien gym. 

Thursday, Dec. 20 or Sunday, Dec. 30

Time TBA - Damien 5th Grade League, one-game playoff.

* Cancelled, November - CAL 6th Grade league.

January 2019 - CAL Winter League, Ikaika Winter League

February 2019 - PAA Spring League 

Early June 2019

H1 Thunder Trip: Las Vegas plus one more city. 

Please contact Coach Paul for year-round fundraising opportunities (Big Island Candies, Jamba Juice, Mike's Huli Chicken and more) 🙂

Updated schedule 12/3/18

* * * 2018 Combined Schedule * * *

Updated Monday, 8:15 am

> No practice today (Monday) and Thursday. We will practice Tuesday (3:45 pm), Wednesday (4:00 pm) and Friday (4:00 pm).

> Please arrive one hour before games for stretching, pre-game meeting and warmups.

> All practices at Makiki Park. Bring a large bottled water. Cloudy days bring a jacket. Daily: 100 pushups, 100 crunches, 200 shots (50 lefties, 50 righties, 50 3-pointers, 50 FTs.) 

Thank you, Thunder Ohana 🙂     

Monday, Dec. 3

No practice.

Tuesday, Dec. 4

3:45 pm - Practice all ages. Pau 5:15 pm. (I have to work a little early.)

Wednesday, Dec. 5

4:00 pm - Practice 8th Grade. Optional shooting for everyone else. Pau 5:45 pm. (I have to work a little early.)

Thursday, Dec. 6

No practice.  (I have to work a very early.)

Friday, Dec. 7

4:00 pm - Practice all ages. Pau 5:30 pm. (I have to work a little early.)

Saturday, Dec. 8

No practice. 

Sunday, Dec. 9 

** New game time - 12:00 pm - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Sharks, Damien gym. 

Sunday, Dec. 16

** New game time - 11:00 am - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Roundball, Damien gym. 

Thursday, Dec. 20 or Sunday, Dec. 30

Time TBA - Damien 5th Grade League, one-game playoff.

* Cancelled, November - CAL 6th Grade league.

January 2019 - CAL Winter League, Ikaika Winter League

February 2019 - PAA Spring League 

Early June 2019

H1 Thunder Trip: Las Vegas plus one more city. 

Please contact Coach Paul for year-round fundraising opportunities (Big Island Candies, Jamba Juice, Mike's Huli Chicken and more) 🙂

Reign 38, H1 Thunder 22, Damien 5th grade

Damien 5th Grade League

Mahalo to Uncle Jesse for filming the first half. 

We had a sluggish first half, flat energy. The reserve bunch -- Amac, Miki, Caleb and TJ -- started the second half with EZ and cut the lead from 23 points down to 11. WOW!!

Eisley played with a sore knee and will need rest. EZ worked 8-ball nicely and was often unstoppable in the second half. Reign has some new players and had a really good first half defensively. 

We'll learn from this. We beat Reign three weeks ago, and they topped us this time. Iron sharpens iron.

#h1thunder #greatteammates  

Updated schedule 11/27/18

* * * 2018 Combined Schedule * * *
Updated Monday, 9:45 am
> No practice today (Monday). We will practice Tuesday (4:30 pm), Thursday (4:00 pm) and. Friday (4:00 pm).
> Please arrive one hour before games for stretching, pre-game meeting and warmups.
> All practices at Makiki Park. Bring a large bottled water. Cloudy days bring a jacket. Daily: 100 pushups, 100 crunches, 200 shots (50 lefties, 50 righties, 50 3-pointers, 50 FTs.)
Thank you, Thunder Ohana 🙂

Monday, Nov. 26
No practice.

Tuesday, Nov. 27
4:30 pm - Practice, all ages.

Wednesday, Nov. 28
No practice.

Thursday, Nov. 29
4:00 pm - Practice, all ages.

Friday, Nov. 30
4:00 pm - Practice, all ages.

Saturday, Dec. 1
No practice. 

Sunday, Dec. 2
** New game time - 1:00 pm - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Reign, Damien gym.

Sunday, Dec. 9
** New game time - 12:00 pm - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Sharks, Damien gym.

Sunday, Dec. 16
** New game time - 11:00 am - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Roundball, Damien gym.

* Cancelled, November - CAL 6th Grade league.
January 2019 - CAL Winter League, Ikaika Winter League
February 2019 - PAA Spring League
Early June 2019
H1 Thunder Trip: Las Vegas plus one more city.

Please contact Coach Paul for year-round fundraising opportunities (Big Island Candies, Jamba Juice, Mike's Huli Chicken and more) 🙂

Friday optional workout

Good weather, no strong wind, and cloud cover. We need daily shooting reps, daily fundamental work. Today was a blessing.

Special mahalo to Coach Darrick Branch and Avari for helping out with shoes for Leroy. Getting better one day at a time.
#greatteammates #h1thunder

Giving thanks for our Ohana

I hope everyone's enjoying this day with family :)

This holiday was actually created in the 19th century and the whole concept of Pilgrims and Native Americans sitting down to a peaceful meal is mostly fiction.

HOWEVAAH... it doesn't diminish the fact that we have some semblance of world peace. That we have our families. We have friends. We have basketball. And though we have suffered through broken relationships in life (and our Thunder Ohana), there is still love.

There is still hope. There is always JOY. I'm thankful for the Thunder boys and girls who keep showing up every day to have fun as they work, to work as they have fun, to get better individually and better as a team. I'm thankful for all our keiki over the past eight years, those who worked together and share great memories of games and trips to Kona and Maui, and rides at Disneyland or visiting the Science Museum in Chicago, and Seaworld in San Diego. I'm thankful for each one of our Thunder, our new keiki who recently joined, our veteran keiki and families who have left and all the longtimers who embrace their teammates and coaches, rain or shine. No matter what, there is love. Sadness, yes, but love and joy prevail.

I'm grateful for our parents who continue to support this team, for all our families and supporters who were there from the early years, and all of our Thunder players who are now in college or law school or working or all of the above :)
Thank you for being there, day by day. Thank you for sticking together through thick and thin. God is good!

Wednesday funday 11/21/18

# Wednesday funday
The guys started 3-on-3 fullcourt after DJ brought one of the ball bags to the court. 20 minutes in we began drills and finished with halfcourt basics. Big mahalo to Coach Darrick Branch for helping especially with halfcourt execution.

The more the new guys work with the returnees, the more chemistry they build. DJ, Noel, Jonathan and Leroy stayed after practice for 2-on-2.

Good job, Thunder! #greatteammates #welovethisgame — at Makiki District Park.

Revised schedule Damien 5th Grade Leagueq

# Damien 5th Grade League update 11/19/18
The revised schedule has arrived. We play on Sunday, 1 pm. See the pics below for the remaining schedule. #h1thunder #welubthisgame #greatteammates

Update: Also, Jill confirmed that there will be a one-day mini-playoff — 1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4, 5 vs. 6. Date is not firm yet, but probably Thursday, Dec. 20 or Sunday, Dec. 30. Lot of activities at Damien's gym, so they're working on the details.

Tuesday funday 11/20/18

Circumstances can be like dark clouds, but unless it completely pours, these Thunder keiki keep shooting buckets. It didn't rain on us so we walked through plays after about 30 minutes of shooting on the wet court. Mahalo to DJ for teaching our new guys how to run our plays. We spent the last 45 minutes discussing the new uniform design. It was productive and really interesting. More details later, but we came to a consensus -- for now. I want hear from the rest of the teams. 

From left: Mazen (6th Grade), DJ (6th), Kye (6th/5th*), Miki (4th), Leroy (7th), Jonathan (8th).

Back at practice on Wednesday, weather permitting.

#welovethisgame #greatteammates #mikiissupergirl 

Monday optional workout

Windy afternoon, trades 5-20 mph. Sunny and dry. Life is good.

Update: Solid workout despite the strong wind. We got some ballhandling and on-ball defensive drills in. Avari went home about 20 minutes before we finished, but he continues to be fearless driving to the bucket. Eisley is getting better and better with his Harden euro-step. Caleb is fearless, too, getting stronger as he attacks the bucket. Jonathan is so athletic with the ball when he is aggressive, but it'll take time for him to be consistently in that mode. DJ spent a lot of time setting up his teammates in the 3-on-3 fullcourt series. Kye played hard at times, but wasn't as aggressive to the basket as usual. We need more Kye attack mode.

The big surprise today was Noel, who goes to school with Kona and Jonathan Lam. He filled in when Avari left. He was shooting buckets on the other court. Turns out he knows our guys. He says he doesn't play on a team but his footwork on perimeter defense is awesome and he can hit the 3, plus he's built like a linebacker. If Noel comes to practice and joins us, we have a solid core for 8th Grade.
#h1thunder #greatteammates #welovethisgame

Updated schedule 11/20/18

* * * 2018 Combined Schedule * * *

Updated Tuesday 11/20 1:00 pm

> Adds Damien 5th Grade League revised schedule.

> It's Thanksgiving week, so we'll take Thursday off.  

> Please arrive one hour before games for stretching, pre-game meeting and warmups.

> All practices at Makiki Park. Bring a large bottled water. Cloudy days bring a jacket. Daily: 100 pushups, 100 crunches, 200 shots (50 lefties, 50 righties, 50 3-pointers, 50 FTs.) 

Thank you, Thunder Ohana 🙂     

Tuesday, Nov. 20

> 4:30 pm - Practice, 5th Grade. All ages welcome to work out.

Wednesday, Nov. 21

> 4:30 pm - Practice, 5th Grade. All ages welcome to work out. 3-on-3 fun tournament. 

Thursday, Nov. 22

Thanksgiving Day. Enjoy your family time 🙂

Friday, Nov. 23

> 4:30 pm - Optional workout, 5th Grade. All ages welcome to work out. Keeping it optional since some families may have weekend plans 😎👣🍉🍔🍕🍿🎉

Saturday, Nov. 24

No practice.

Sunday, Nov. 25

** New game time - 1:00 pm - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Wolves, Damien gym.

Sunday, Dec. 2

** New game time - 1:00 pm - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Reign, Damien gym. 

Sunday, Dec. 9 

** New game time - 12:00 pm - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Sharks, Damien gym. 

Sunday, Dec. 16

** New game time - 11:00 am - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Roundball, Damien gym. 

* Cancelled, November - CAL 6th Grade league.

January 2019 - CAL Winter League, Ikaika Winter League

February 2019 - PAA Spring League 

Early June 2019

H1 Thunder Trip: Las Vegas plus one more city. 

Please contact Coach Paul for year-round fundraising opportunities (Big Island Candies, Jamba Juice, Mike's Huli Chicken and more) 🙂

Updated schedule 11/19/18

* * * 2018 Combined Schedule * * *

Updated Monday 11/19 11:30 am

> Adds practice schedule. Monday (today) is optional workout and 3-on-3 tournament. 

> It's Thanksgiving week, so we'll take Thursday off.  

> Damien League will send a revised schedule. Our game time on Sunday may change. I'll post and text as soon as they send it.

> Please arrive one hour before games for stretching, pre-game meeting and warmups.

> All practices at Makiki Park. Bring a large bottled water. Cloudy days bring a jacket. Daily: 100 pushups, 100 crunches, 200 shots (50 lefties, 50 righties, 50 3-pointers, 50 FTs.) 

Thank you, Thunder Ohana 🙂     

Monday, Nov. 19

> 4:30 pm - Optional workout for all ages, 3-on-3 fun tournament. All keiki, Thunder and non-Thunder, 6th-8th grade invited.

Tuesday, Nov. 20

> 4:30 pm - Practice, 5th Grade. All ages welcome to work out.

Wednesday, Nov. 21

> 4:30 pm - Practice, 5th Grade. All ages welcome to work out. 3-on-3 fun tournament. All keiki, Thunder and non-Thunder, 6th-8th grade invited.

Thursday, Nov. 22

Thanksgiving Day. Enjoy your family time 🙂

Friday, Nov. 23

> 4:30 pm - Optional workout, 5th Grade. All ages welcome to work out. Keeping it optional since some families may have weekend plans 😎👣🍉🍔🍕🍿🎉

Also, 3-on-3 fun tournament. All keiki, Thunder and non-Thunder, 6th-8th grade invited.

Saturday, Nov. 24

No practice.

Sunday, Nov. 25

12:00 pm - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Wolves, Damien gym.

(Note: League will send a revised schedule that may change our Thunder game times.)

Sunday, Dec. 2

1:30 pm - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Sharks, Damien gym. 

Sunday, Dec. 9 

1:30 pm - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. West Oahu Warriors, Damien gym. 

* Cancelled, November - CAL 6th Grade league.

January 2019 - CAL Winter League, Ikaika Winter League

February 2019 - PAA Spring League 

Early June 2019

H1 Thunder Trip: Las Vegas plus one more city. 

Please contact Coach Paul for year-round fundraising opportunities (Big Island Candies, Jamba Juice, Mike's Huli Chicken and more) 🙂

Updated schedule 11/16/18

* * * 2018 Combined Schedule * * *
Updated Friday 11/16 6:30 am
> Game time change for Sunday at Damien 5th Grade League. Game is now 12:30 pm.
> Changes time to 2:30 pm for All Parents Organizational Meeting Sunday, Nov. 18 at Liliha Pizza Hut.
> Please arrive one hour before games for stretching, pre-game meeting and warmups.
> All practices at Makiki Park. Bring a large bottled water. Cloudy days bring a jacket. Daily: 100 pushups, 100 crunches, 200 shots (50 lefties, 50 righties, 50 3-pointers, 50 FTs.)
Thank you, Thunder Ohana 🙂

Friday, Nov. 16
No practice.

Saturday, Nov. 17
No practice.

Sunday, Nov. 18
*** (rescheduled) 12:30 pm - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Roundball, Damien gym.

*** (rescheduled) 2:30-3:30 pm - All parents organizational meeting, Liliha Pizza Hut.
> discussing upcoming leagues in January, February/March (CAL 4th/6th/8th/JV/Varsity, PAA 4th/6th/8th/JV/Varsity, Ikaika 6th/8th/JV/Varsity).
> Summer trip to Las Vegas and Anaheim or Northwest (Seattle or Portland).
> Fundraising - Jamba Juice BOGO cards, Big Island Candies crunch bars, and more.
> Ongoing nonprofit status process. (Supermahalo to Auntie Char for sharing her expertise and help!)
> Coach Tom and Coach Kali'a (former Thunder player, recent Kamehameha grauate/two-sport athlete) will support our Thunder keiki as well. Best wishes and aloha to Coach Seth Mckinney, who is stepping down as a coach. We will miss you, Brother!!

(POSTPONED) Damien 5th Grade, H1 Thunder vs. Sharks, Damien gym.

Sunday, Nov. 25
12:00 pm - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Wolves, Damien gym.

Sunday, Dec. 2
1:30 pm - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. Sharks, Damien gym.

Sunday, Dec. 9
1:30 pm - Damien 5th Grade League, H1 Thunder vs. West Oahu Warriors, Damien gym.

* Cancelled, November - CAL 6th Grade league.
January 2019 - CAL Winter League, Ikaika Winter League
February 2019 - PAA Spring League

Early June 2019
H1 Thunder Trip: Las Vegas plus one more city.

Please contact Coach Paul for year-round fundraising opportunities (Big Island Candies, Jamba Juice, Mike's Huli Chicken and more) 🙂

VIDEO: H1 Thunder vs Reign (Damien 5th Grade) 11/11/2018

Video: Selene Horita.

 Full game footage. H1 Thunder vs. Reign, Damien 5th Grade League, Bishop Scanlan Gymnasium. Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. Score: Thunder 22, Reign 21.

VIDEO: H1 Thunder vs West Oahu Warriors (Damien 5th Grade) 11/11/2018

Video: Selene Horita. 

Full game footage. H1 Thunder vs. West Oahu Warriors, Damien 5th Grade League, Bishop Scanlan Gymnasium. Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. Score: Thunder 29, WOW 15.

Updated Schedule 11/11/18

* * * 2018 Combined Schedule * * *
Updated Sunday 11/11 6:00 pm
> Adds practice schedule.

> Adds All Parents Organizational Meeting Sunday, Nov. 18. 1:30-2:30 pm, Liliha Pizza Hut.

> Please arrive one hour before games for stretching, pre-game meeting and warmups.

> All practices at Makiki Park. Bring a large bottled water. Cloudy days bring a jacket. Daily: 100 pushups, 100 crunches, 200 shots (50 lefties, 50 righties, 50 3-pointers, 50 FTs.)
Thank you, Thunder Ohana 🙂

Monday, Nov. 12
No practice. Enjoy Veterans Day 🤙🏼

Tuesday, Nov. 13
4:30 pm - Practice, 5th Grade.

Wednesday, Nov. 14
4:30 pm - Practice, 8th Grade/JV.

Thursday, Nov. 15
4:30 pm - Practice, 5th Grade.

Friday, Nov. 16
No practice.

Saturday, Nov. 17
No practice.

Sunday, Nov. 18
1:30-2:30 pm - All parents organizational meeting, Liliha Pizza Hut.

> discussing upcoming leagues in January, February/March (CAL 4th/6th/8th/JV/Varsity, PAA 4th/6th/8th/JV/Varsity, Ikaika 6th/8th/JV/Varsity).

> Summer trip to Las Vegas and Anaheim or Northwest (Seattle or Portland).

> Fundraising - Jamba Juice BOGO cards, Big Island Candies crunch bars, and more.

> Ongoing nonprofit status process. (Supermahalo to Auntie Char for sharing her expertise and help!)

> Coach Tom and Coach Kali'a (former Thunder player, recent Kamehameha grauate/two-sport athlete) will support our Thunder keiki as well. Best wishes and aloha to Coach Seth Mckinney, who is stepping down as a coach. We will miss you, Brother!!

3:30 pm - Damien 5th Grade, H1 Thunder vs. Sharks, Damien gym.

* Cancelled, November - CAL 6th Grade league.
January 2019 - CAL Winter League, Ikaika Winter League
February 2019 - PAA Spring League
Early June 2019
H1 Thunder Trip: Las Vegas plus one more city.

Please contact Coach Paul for year-round fundraising opportunities (Big Island Candies, Jamba Juice, Mike's Huli Chicken and more) 🙂

Thunder win back-to-back games in Damien 5th Grade League

# H1 Thunder 29, West Oahu Warriors 15
# H1 Thunder 22, Reign 20
Damien 5th Grade League
Damien gym
Massive mahalo to Auntie Selene Valdez Horita for filming not one, but two games back to back!

We opened a new league (mahalo Coach Marco) with a doubleheader for our Thunder keiki, back-to-back.

I wasn't sure if we'd have 6 or 7 players, but ended up with 10. Everyone including our new Thunder Haden and Caleb got involved and played great team defense.

The Warriors are quick and can run the floor, but all 10 of our keiki ran too. They were tenacious.

EZ ran 8-ball with tremendous patience and precision. Eisley also ran 8-ball and fed Kye for a few layups on perfect passes. Kye and Avari ran back screens and crashed the boards. Kye is reenergized playing with teammates and opposing players who are his age. Thank you, league director, for making an exception for Kye.

Ebomb was smart with his defense and hands, and then our reserves came in and kept the pressure on. TJ is always a menace for ballhandlers to face. Amac was outstanding at challenging 3-point shooters, and his ballhandling on the fastbreak is getting better every week. Miki is super quick and giving the 5th graders a hard time with her defense. Caleb and Haden were tough in their first games as Thunder. As they practice more and get more familiar with the system, they'll have lots of fun.

In the second game, we pulled back and had Avari and TJ in stretch, and it was a close battle. EZ again was smart and opportunistic running 8-ball, and it was one of the best demonstrations of how to screen properly (Eisley, Amac), and how to work it left and right for an opening.

EZ was especially opportunistic in the second game, splashing five or six 3-pointers. I know he will never brag about this being a humble young man, but that was special.

Hopefully, our Thunder keiki can practice every time and continue to improve through daily reps and build trust as a team. They're off to a good start. Great teamwork. Great teammates.

Next game is Sunday, Nov. 18, 3:30 pm against Sharks. Practice schedule will be posted tonight.
#h1thunder #welovethisgame #greatteammates
Mahalo, Coach Tom, for this photo.
From left: Miki, Avery (Amac), Ethan (Ebomb), Haden, Kye, Eisley, Avari, Ethan (EZ), TJ, Caleb.

Wednesday funday

Good reps today, our veterans helping new guys Caleb and Haden learn basic plays and defenses. Avari came and supported his teammates, but stayed off the court because of a sore hamstring. Eisley couldn't make practice due to a sore groin. Hopefully everyone stretches before they run at school PE class, etc.

Kepa worked out at Kaimuki HS. Good experience for our 8th graders.
#h1thunder #greatteammates

Updated schedule 11/5/18

* * * 2018 Combined Schedule * * *
Updated Monday 11/5 11:25 am
> Adds Tue/Wed practices and Sunday games for Damien 5th Grade League.

> Please arrive one hour before games for stretching, pre-game meeting and warmups.

> All practices at Makiki Park. Bring a large bottled water. Cloudy days bring a jacket. Daily: 100 pushups, 100 crunches, 200 shots (50 lefties, 50 righties, 50 3-pointers, 50 FTs.)
Thank you, Thunder Ohana 🙂

Monday, Nov. 5
No practice.

Tuesday, Nov. 6
4:30 pm - Practice, 4th/5th Grade.

Wednesday, Nov. 7
4:30 pm - Practice, 4th/5th Grade, 8th/JV.

Thursday, Nov. 8
No practice. (I'll be covering McKinley girls tourney. Nicole will be playing with her McKinley squad.)

Friday, Nov. 9
No practice.

Saturday, Nov. 10
No practice.

Sunday, Nov. 11
>> 12:00 pm - Damien 5th Grade, H1 Thunder vs. Reign, Damien gym.
>> 1:00 pm - Damien 5th Grade, H1 Thunder vs. Warriors, Damien gym.

Sunday, Nov. 18
3:30 pm - Damien 5th Grade, H1 Thunder vs. Sharks, Damien gym.

November - CAL 6th Grade new league.
January 2019 - CAL Winter League, Ikaika Winter League
February 2019 - PAA Spring League
Early June 2019
H1 Thunder Trip: Las Vegas plus one more city.
Please contact Coach Paul for year-round fundraising opportunities (Big Island Candies, Jamba Juice, Mike's Huli Chicken and more) 🙂

2017-18 results

# Research work: 2017-18
Had some free time and I'm going to add all the video links and scores from each league we've played in since Fall of 2015 (on the H1 Thunder blog). Lot of digging required. I've got lists that I updated weekly, but still...

Crunching the numbers once a year is kind of daunting. I remember doing a rough add of the first or second year after Coach David Shinbara and I got the 4th Grade squad rolling. I remember the composite total of all our teams that academic year was something like 122-122.

Fast-forward to the past school year of 2017-18, and it was 201 games. I'm missing a score from 2017 Ikaika JV Fall season. The total for all Thunder in all age divisions is 136-64. If you look season by season for the '17-'18 year, the trends make sense. No Josiah available during the fall (school season), so the 5th/6th Grade struggled some. The 7th/8th group had some new players, and as they improved, more success came. Without Coach David's diligence every day, development doesn't happen. Without parents and grandparents driving their Thunder keiki every day, dreams don't come true.

At the bottom of the list is the recently-completed 2018 Fall results. New school year so that's a different place on the timeline. But overall, prettyprettypretty good. I'm going back to the 2015-16 and 2016-17 years to do the math there, too. Not right now. I'm fried :)

Players win games. Coaches, parents, family all help them prepare, but in the end, players decide how much they want to learn and how hard they want to work every day. Their hard work shows so much, from our veterans to our newbies. The journey makes it all worth it, day by day, rep by rep. Enjoy the ride, Thunder Pups and Minions :)
#h1thunder #greatteammates #welovethisgame

2017 (Fall only)
CAL JV (2017 Fall)
Record: 5-2

CAL 13U (2017 Fall)
Record: 6-1

CAL 11U (2017 Fall)
Record: 3-4

CAL 9U (2017 Fall)
Record: 5-2

Ikaika JV (2017 Fall)
Record: 5-4?

Ikaika 8th Grade (2017 Fall)
Record: 4-6

CAL 4th/5th Grade (2017 Nov)
Record: 6-0, champion

2017 Fall/Nov
Total record: 34-19

###

2018

CAL 8th Grade Gold (2018 Winter)
Record: 2-5
Ikaika 8th Grade (2018 Winter)
Record: 4-6
Tiger Cup 8th Grade (2018 Summer)
1-0
Tiger Cup 8th Grade (2018 Summer)
Record: 1-2
CAL 8th Grade Silver/Gold (2018 Summer)
Record: 7-0, champion

Ikaika 6th Grade (2018 Winter)
Record: 8-2
Ikaika 6th Grade (2018 Spring supplmental)
Record: 10-1, champion
CAL 6th Grade Gold (2018 Summer)
Record: 5-2

10U/5th Grade CAL 10U Gold (2018 Winter)
Record: 7-0, champion
Sportsmanship 5th Grade (2018 Summer)
Record: 7-2, second place
Tiger Cup 5th Grade (2018 Summer)
Record: 2-1

PAA 4th Grade (2018 Winter)
Record: 4-4
CAL 4th Grade Silver (2018 Summer)
Record: 7-0, champion

Ikaika JV (2018 Spring)
Record: 5-5
Maryknoll JV (2018 Summer)
Record: 7-3
Castle JV (2018 Summer)
Record: 7-3
Ikaika Invitational JV (2018 Summer)
Record: 3-1

FTG Saturday Summer Finals 4th/5th Grade (2018 Summer)
Record: 3-0
FTG Sunday Summer Finals 4th/5th Grade (2018 Summer)
Record: 2-1
Chicagoland Dawg Dayz Classic 5th Grade(2018 Summer)
Record: 0-3
FTG Xplosion Sunday Shootout 4th/5th Grade(2018 Summer)
Record: 2-1

Sportsmanship 7th Grade (2018 Summer)
Record: 6-2
Tiger Cup 7th Grade (2018 Summer)
Record: 2-1

2017-18 totals (fall, winter, spring, summer)
4th grade/9U: 16-6
5th grade/10U: 22-3
6th grade/11U: 27-9
7th grade: 8-3
8th grade/13U: 25-20
JV: 32-18
4th/5th (Chicago): 7-5

TOTAL (Aug-Dec 2017): 34-19
TOTAL (Jan-Aug): 102-45
TOTAL (2017-18 school year, Aug ’17 to July ’18): 136-64

##########################################

Ikaika JV (2018 Fall)
Record: 6-4, second place

Ikaika 8th Grade (2018 Fall)
Record: 7-3
CAL 8th Grade Silver/Gold (2018 Fall)
Record: 6-1, co-champion

Ikaika 6th Grade (2018 Fall)
Record: 6-5
CAL 6th Grade Gold (2018 Fall)
Record: 3-5

CAL 4th Grade (2018 Fall)
Record: 7-0, champion

2018-19 school year/Fall total: 35-18

Calendar year 2018, to date total: 137-63 (.685)

Updated schedule 10/31/18

* * * 2018 Combined Schedule * * *

Updated Wednesday 10/31 11:00 am

> No practice on Thursday. Work schedule changed. I have to be on assignment that afternoon on Leeward side. Coach Seth is under the weather and Coach Tom is busy with KAC. 

Have a fun and safe Halloween, Thunder Ohana 🙂

> Please arrive one hour before games for stretching, pre-game meeting and warmups.

> All practices at Makiki Park. Bring a large bottled water. Cloudy days bring a jacket. Daily: 100 pushups, 100 crunches, 200 shots (50 lefties, 50 righties, 50 3-pointers, 50 FTs.) 

Thank you, Thunder Ohana 🙂

Wednesday, Oct. 31

No practice. 

Thursday, Nov. 1

Practice cancelled.

Friday, Nov. 2 

No practice. 

November - CAL 6th Grade new league.

January 2019 - CAL Winter League, Ikaika Winter League

February 2019 - PAA Spring League 

Early June 2019

H1 Thunder Trip: Las Vegas plus one more city. 

Please contact Coach Paul for year-round fundraising opportunities (Big Island Candies, Jamba Juice, Mike's Huli Chicken and more) 🙂