WYBT 14U Tournament, Kailua-Kona
Not 100% sure about that final score. We all thought differently, but 72-61 sounded about right. All in all, the Titans were as scrappy and relentless as we had heard. A team of close friends, not some AAU squad or what not, who have great chemistry.
They handled our fullcourt pressure well, so we dropped it in the second half and sat in a zone. The Titans went cold from deep, we went on a fastbreak-fueled run and opened the lead gradually to about 15 or 16. Our reserves gave us some key minutes in the first half, and more to close out the game. This was our eighth game in five days, so our legs weren't what they used to be, which made our reserves more valuable than ever.
Though Chris and Chase played well, they ended up fouling out in the final quarter. I really see how these games against varsity and 14U teams has built up some basketball IQ in our younger/less experienced players. Guys stepped up when some of our starters had illnesses or injuries. It was fun to see.
We finished 5-0 in the tourney, first place. The guys received these unique surf-oriented trophies. Every one of our 12 guys in 14U was a vital link. That's especially when it's 90 degrees in a beach-side gym with zero wind and 90% humidity. Saunaville.
Tanielu was spectacular at times in this tourney, simply too explosive to the hoop for man and zone defenses. But it was the passing of him and entire team that made the biggest improvement. We were able to get high-percentage shots from Chris on the low post pretty consistently, or kick out to open gunners like Kapaa, Josh and Jared on the perimeter.
Kapaa was very aggressive taking the ball to the basket all weekend long, even when his legs were weary. He's come a long way since last winter, learning how to drive with authority AND control, willing to absorb contact to get free throws.
Jared keeps getting stronger, better, smarter ... it's a tough, tough job being a point guard for the H1 Thunder. So many responsibilities. But he thrived when the pressure was greatest, helping lift us to big wins in the tourney.
Lineup:
Jared Elwin,
Josh M DE Jesus, Tanielu
Mosi Afe,
Kapaa Nishimura,
Colin Micah Ramos,
Chris Afe,
Felcris Jay Corpuz Ahadain,
Chase Santos, Ryan Higashionna,
Gabriel Porras, Micah Visoria, Javan Montiho.
We head back to HNL tonight after a weekend of hoops heaven in muggy, hot-as-heck Kona. (7-1 overall, counting the Big West Conference Officials/HISOA varsity tournament.) The kids had a blast, and it was possible only through our parents back home, our parents on the road (Coach Rod, Coach Kalei, Coach Carl). Uncle Nate (aka The Glue, The Backbone) was especially crucial, coordinating all kinds of logistics, keeping us on schedule, keeping the guys hydrated at games, shooting game video. Auntie Suzy was with us for the last two days and helped out a ton with cooking and looking after the guys (cleaning up their mess often).
MAHALO to our Thunder parents and Thunder Ohana. Mrs. Chang, Kevin Au,
Robert Shropshire (one of my old pals from Kona who donated $100 to us this week), and all the Ohana. Every dollar helps. The kids see all the time just how much they are not alone in this world. There are lots of folks who follow their travels and experiences, folks who care and want to see them all succeed.
It's just a basketball trip on paper, but to me it's a time of building memories in a totally new place for most of these future leaders. It wasn't a bad way to close out summer vacation, no doubt about that.
WE LUB THIS GAAAAME!!
Next: Sunday, 9:19 pm - Depart Kona for Honolulu (Flight 397).
