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