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.