NJB Classic: Who is committed?

I need a head count for the NJB Summer Classic, July 15-19 (Wed-Sun).

Because of the severe no-shows for the recent Aiea JV tournament, I am very hesitant to have our parents and myself spend another bunch of money (NJB charges $350 for the Classic, per division) unless there is SERIOUS commitment by our players and parents.

So please let me know, are you IN or OUT? If so, we will play in the 17U and 14U divisions. If not, we will play in one or no divisions. I'm fine with whatever result. I just don't want to go through what happened over the weekend ever again. That wasn't fair to the younger teammates, especially, who got playing time, but were basically bailed on by several of their older teammates.

If you choose to play, each player will chip in $30 per division. If no can, no worry. I understand. Make it up with the huli huli chicken fundraiser.

P.S. NJB does not allow players to participate in more than one age-group division. So the players who are 14 or younger have to choose between 14U or 17U.

Down the road

The rest of this summer's schedule, not including PAA League (late July) and Ikaika League (early August).

Friday, June 12, 5:30 pm - vs Kiawe Heat (CAL 13U Gold), Kilauea gym 

Friday, June 12, TBA - Aiea Blazers JV Tournament (5:00-9:30 pm)

Saturday, June 13, 10:00 am - vs Kaiser (Le Jardin JV/16U League)

Saturday, June 13, TBA - Aiea Blazers JV Tournament (9:00 am-4:00 pm)

Sunday, June 14, TBA - Aiea Blazers JV Tournament (9:00 am-4:00 pm)

Tuesday, June 16, 7:00 pm - vs Kamehameha (Kalani Varsity League)

Thursday, June 18, 6:10 pm - vs Storm (Kalani Varsity League)

Monday, June 22, 5:00 pm - vs Le Jardin (Le Jardin JV/16U League)

Tuesday, June 23, 7:50 pm - vs Lanakila (Kalani Varsity League)

Thursday, June 25, 7:00 pm - vs Damien (Kalani Varsity League)

Saturday, June 27, 11:00 am - vs Lanakila Baptist (Le Jardin JV/16U League)

Monday, June 29, 8:00 pm - vs Kailua (Le Jardin JV/16U League)

Tuesday, June 30, 4:30 pm - vs Maryknoll (Kalani Varsity League)

Wednesday, July 1, 6:00 pm - vs HBA (Le Jardin JV/16U League)

Monday, July 6, 7:00 pm - vs Hawaii Raiders (Le Jardin JV/16U League)

Tuesday, July 7, 4:30 pm - vs HBA (Kalani Varsity League)

Wednesday, July 8, 6:00 pm - vs Maryknoll (Le Jardin JV/16U League)

Thursday, July 9, 7:50 pm - vs Punahou (Kalani Varsity League)

Friday, July 10, TBA - Aiea Blazers Intermediate Tournament (5:00 pm - 9:30 pm) 

Saturday, July 11, 12:00 pm - vs Mililani (Le Jardin JV/16U League)

Saturday, July 11, TBA - Aiea Blazers Intermediate Tournament (9:00 am-4:00 pm)

Sunday, July 12, TBA - Aiea Blazers Intermediate Tournament (9:00 am-4:00 pm)

Monday, July 13, 8:00 pm - vs Punahou (Le Jardin JV/16U League)

Tuesday, July 14, 6:10 pm - vs University (Kalani Varsity League)

Wednesday, July 15, TBA - NJB Hawaii Summer Classic

Thursday, July 16, TBA - NJB Hawaii Summer Classic

Friday, July 17, TBA - NJB Hawaii Summer Classic

Saturday, July 18, 11:00 am - vs Island Pacific (Le Jardin JV/16U League)

Saturday, July 18, TBA - NJB Hawaii Summer Classic

Sunday, July 19, TBA - NJB Hawaii Summer Classic

Tuesday, July 21 - One-day playoff (Kalani Varsity League)

> 4:00 pm - 10th vs 9th

> 4:50 pm - 8th vs 7th

> 5:40 pm - 6th vs 5th

> 6:30 pm - 4th vs 3rd

> 7:20 pm - 2nd vs 1st

> 8:10 pm - 12th vs 11th 

Also: Possible trip for Maui Summer Classic (July 21-25)

Wednesday, July 22, 8:00 pm - vs Castle (Le Jardin JV/16U League)

Saturday, July 25 - Playoffs (Le Jardin JV/16U League)

> 10:00 am - Game 1, 4th vs 5th

> 11:00 am - Game 2, 3rd vs 6th

> 12:00 pm - Game 3, 2nd vs 7th

> 1:00 pm - Game 4, 1st vs 8th

Monday, July 27 - Semifinals (Le Jardin JV/16U League)

> 6:00 pm - Winner Game 2 vs Winner Game 3

> 7:00 pm - Winner Game 1 vs Winner Game 4

(Championship, 3rd place game day/time TBA)

Wednesday, July 29 - Final and 3rd place (Le Jardin JV/16U League)

> 6:00 pm - Third place

> 7:00 pm - Championship

Late July: PAA 13U?/15U/17U (7 reg. season games, 1-3 gm playoffs). Entry fee $500?

Late August: Ikaika Inter/JV/V (7 reg. season games, 3 playoffs). Entry fee $550.

Video: Thunder vs Ali‘i (14U)

vs Ali‘i 7/20/2014 (NJB Classic 14U)
video: Brandon Higashionna
score: Ali‘i 43, Thunder 42 (semifinal)

Video: Thunder vs Hoops Mana (CA) (14U)

vs Team Hoops Mana (CA/HI) 7/19/2014 (NJB Classic 14U)
video: Brandon Higashionna
score: Thunder 60, Mana 54 (quarterfinal)

Video: Thunder vs Team Lihue (14U)

vs Team Lihue 7/19/2014 (NJB Classic 14U)
video: Eric Murobayashi
score: Thunder 68, Lihue 16 (pool play)

CONGRATULATIONS H1 THUNDER 14U

True, we fell short of our goal at the NJB tournament. But for 4 games, we made so many great plays for our teammates. Much of the time, we played beautiful basketball. Then came the 43-42 semifinal loss to eventual champ Ali‘i. From what I understand, no other team came within 15 or 20 points of the Ali‘i. That doesn't make us the second-best team in the tourney. Or maybe it does. All I know is, I'm proud of you guys even though our hearts were broken momentarily.

UNIFORMS for Sunday

Please bring the white uniform and the new teal blue uniform to Sunday's games. We will probably wear white in the first game. Possibly teal blue in the second. Pass the word.

H1 Thunder 60, Team Hoops Mana (Calif.) 54 (14U)

NJB Hawaiian Hoops Classic, 14U Division, quarterfinals
Palama Settlement gym

Great heart tonight by our squad, overcoming an early deficit to take a 19-point lead. Felcris sparked it with a corner 3, then Kyle got hot from deep.

Then Team Mana pounded the ball on us and chipped away. They play terrific defense with some really quick, powerful athletes. But our guys gutted it out, got some nice layups out of halfcourt offense and transition. We hit foul shots and overcame some turnovers to pull out a tough win on a very, very humid night. Tani played strong on the boards, boxing out and drawing fouls from Mana's big boys. 

Kali‘a was also integral to our paint defense. Kyle and Kapaa had double duties on the boards and handling the ball, while Jared was sound and solid defensively, especially when we went to straight man defense for the final 7-8 minutes.

Two years ago, this same Thunder team went deep in the 12U Division of this tournament, but lost in the quarterfinal round, going 4-1. This time, we're finishing strong, playing smart, playing physical (could be better, but not bad).

Lineup: Javan Montiho, Ryan Higashionna, Colin Micah Ramos, Felcris Jay Corpuz Ahadain, Micah Visoria, Josh Roberts, Gabriel Porras, Jared Elwin, Josh M DE Jesus, Chase Santos, Chris Afe, Kyle Moraga, TanieluMosi Afe, Kali'a Mielke, Kapaa Nishimura.

Next: Sunday, 11:20 am - H1 Thunder vs. TBA (NJB Classic 14U semifinal), Manoa gym (Diamond Head court). If we win, the championship game is 2:20 pm at Manoa gym.
GREAT HEART, THUNDERRRRRR!!!
WE LUB THIS GAME!

Saturday PM pickup route

6:30 pm - Josh M DE Jesus (Coach Paul). Felcris Jay Corpuz Ahadain,Chris Afe, Mosi Afe (Coach Kalei/Auntie Leilani).
7:00 pm - Stretching/warmups.
8:00 pm - H1 Thunder vs. Team Hoops Mana (Calif.) (NJB Classic 14U quarterfinal), Palama gym.
WE LUB THIS GAAAAAME!!

Afternoon chill time

Josh, Felcris, Tani and Chris went to the movies (with me) at Kahala Mall after the morning game. Then killed some more time sitting near Starbucks. Then met up with Chase at his folks' house. Felcris, Tani and Chris will catch a ride to tonight's game with Chase. Josh went home to take a shower. I'll take him to the game (at Palama) later.

Having two tournament games 11 hours apart is unusual, but we'll do what needs to be done to stay sharp and focused. That includes me. The barista asked if I wanted milk or cream in my iced coffee and I replied, "Yes." Twice.

Caffeine is good. In moderation, good. Looking forward to tonight's quarterfinal battle! WE LUB THIS GAME!!

H1 Thunder 68, Team Lihue 16 (14U)

NJB Classic, 14U Division pool play, Palama gym
No 9:00 am game is easy, but the guys were up early, ready for their rides, ready to play good basketball. We were 13 strong and everybody contributed. We hustled defensively and moved the ball via air often offensively. That led to quick buckets, a nice early lead, and our reserves finished off the final 10 minutes. They got more minutes than our starters.

Lineup: Jared Elwin, Micah Visoria, Javan Montiho, Ryan Higashionna,Kapaa Nishimura, Felcris Jay Corpuz Ahadain, Gabriel Porras, Colin Micah Ramos, Josh M DE Jesus, Tanielu Mosi Afe, Chris Afe, Kali'a Mielke, Chase Santos.

We played solid defense from the start. That's going to be the cornerstone of our playoff run. Great defense gives us a great chance to advance.

Next: Saturday, 8:00 pm - H1 Thunder vs. Team Mana (Calif.) (NJB Classic 14U quarterfinal), Palama gym.
WE LUB THIS GAME!

Video: Thunder vs Kona Stingrays (14U)

NJB Hawaiian Hoops Classic, 14-Under Division, pool play. Wednesday, July 16, 2014. Palama Settlement gym.
video: Eric Murobayashi
score: Thunder 33, Stingrays 30

Clarifications, explanations and did you knows

• We have NOT clinched a spot in the championship bracket yet. Because there are only 3 teams per pool, it is possible that each team could beat each other and finish 1-1.

• We can take care of any tiebreaker situations by beating Team Lihue on Saturday morning. However, if we lose, then it falls to the tiebreaker formula: head to head, and then point differential. There is a 13-point cap on the total point differential (in two pool games), so in other words, a 40-point loss or win by any team is meaningless. Winning by the largest point margin possible is key, and so is losing by the smallest point margin possible. Strange, but that's what the tourney rules say. (See Wednesday's e-mail for the details.)

• This also means that the Lihue-Stingrays game on Friday night is crucial. If Lihue beats the Stingrays, that would make the Stingrays 0-2 and they would be eliminated from the championship playoff bracket. (Because the worst Lihue or Thunder would finish after that is 1-1.)

• The main thing to remember is, we control our own destiny. Win Saturday morning, we advance. Our quarterfinal game would be on Saturday evening at 5:00 pm or 8:00 pm, depending on how we place in our pool. The semifinals and finals are on Sunday.

• The technical foul that was assessed to Kapaa during our game against the Stingrays was a mistake. Both the personal foul and tech on that play was supposed to be on Jared, but the official got #2 mixed up with #5.

• A reminder: Always remain composed. It's too easy to pick up a technical foul, which also counts as a personal foul. Walk away, talk to me, I'll discuss things with the officials. Body language counts for a LOT. It's 90% of everything and some officials are more likely to react to bad body language than others.

• If you get 2 technicals, you're out of the game, and it also carries an automatic one-game suspension. That's true in this tournament, and also true in school leagues. We can't afford to lose anyone and we definitely don't want to give points and possessions away just because someone lost his cool for a second. Let me handle things. We can afford to lose a coach far more than we can afford to lose a player.

• We are the visiting team again on Saturday, but since we don't know when Gerard and Gabriel will be back with us, bring your white uniform anyway. Once they get back and all the new teal blue uniforms are distributed, bring BOTH to all games. Better safe than sorry.

Hope that helps with any questions.
WE LUB THIS GAME!

H1 Thunder 33, Kona Stingrays 30 (14U)

NJB Hawaiian Hoops Classic, 14U Division, Palama Settlement gym
I expected a battle and we got one from a well-coached, defensive-oriented team. Every loose ball, both teams hit the floor and went after it. 

We came out a little too undisciplined on halfcourt defense and the Stingrays patiently got us napping backdoor. Eventually, though, we locked down just enough to get a few stops. And we hit free throws in the final minutes after falling behind by about 6-8 points. Kapaa hit a couple of big 3-pointers after the Stingrays switched to zone to help spark the rally. 

Tani drove the baseline for the go-ahead layup with less than 1 minute left. Stingrays still got a wide-open 3-point shot off before the buzzer, but we lucked out on the miss. 

I won't be surprised to see the Stingrays in the final. They're deep and tall and long and athletic. And smart. Hopefully, we'll be there to meet them again.

Lineup: Colin Micah Ramos (ankle), Jared Elwin, Javan Montiho, Josh Roberts, Kali'a Mielke, Josh M DE Jesus, Felcris Jay Corpuz Ahadain,Chris Afe, Tanielu Mosi Afe, Kapaa Nishimura, Ryan Higashionna, Chase Santos, Kyle Moraga.

Great Heart tonight, Thunder. We trailed almost the whole way and never gave up. Good win over an outstanding opponent.

Next: Thursday, 10:00 am - Optional hill run, Carlos Long St.
Thursday, 5:00 pm - Practice, Makiki Park.
Friday, 5:30 pm - H1 Thunder vs. HomeGrown (CAL 13U), Kilauea gym. (I'm going to scout the Team Lihue/Stingrays game that night, 8:00 pm).
Saturday, 9:00 am - H1 Thunder vs. Team Lihue (NJB Classic 14U), Palolo gym. Quarterfinals, semifinals in the mid-day and afternoon.
Sunday, time TBA - NJB Classic championship game, Manoa gym.
WE LUB THIS GAME!

Combined Schedule (updated 7/14 8:45 pm)

Adds the NJB Classic 14U schedule and changes to the WYBT 14U schedule (they added a fifth team).
No schedule yet for the Big West/HISOA Varsity Tourney, but there will be 4 games in that two-day event.

Wednesday, July 16, 7:20 pm - Thunder vs. Kona Stingrays (NJB Classic 14U), Palama gym

Friday, July 18, 5:30 pm - Thunder vs. HomeGrown (CAL 13U), Kilauea gym

Saturday, July 19, 9:00 am - Thunder vs. Team Lihue (NJB Classic 14U), Palolo gym

Saturday, July 19 - Playoffs TBA (NJB Classic 14U)

Sunday, July 20 - Playoffs TBA (NJB Classic 14U), Manoa gym

Monday, July 21, 7:10 pm - Thunder vs. Kiawe Heat (CAL 13U), Kilauea gym

Monday, July 21, 8:00 pm - Thunder vs. Sharks (CAL 15U), Kilauea gym

Wednesday, July 23, 5:30 pm - Thunder vs. Hoops4Christ (CAL 15U), Kilauea gym

Friday, July 25, 12:00 pm - Thunder vs. TBA (Big West/HISOA Varsity), site TBA

Friday, July 25, 3:00 pm - Thunder vs. TBA (Big West/HISOA Varsity), site TBA

Saturday, July 26, 12:00 pm - Thunder vs. TBA (Big West/HISOA Varsity), site TBA

Saturday, July 26, 3:00 pm - Thunder vs. TBA (Big West/HISOA Varsity), site TBA

Sunday, July 27, 11:45 am - Thunder vs. Bay Area Renegades (WYBT 14U), Kekuaokalani gym

Sunday, July 27, 7:15 pm - Thunder vs. Kona Islanders (WYBT 14U), Kekuaokalani gym

Monday, July 28, 4:00 pm - Thunder vs. Kauai (WYBT 14U), Kekuaokalani gym

Monday, July 28, 6:00 pm - Thunder vs. Kona Stingrays (WYBT 14U), Kekuaokalani gym

Tuesday, July 29, 10:30 am - Thunder vs. LA Titans (WYBT 14U), Kekuaokalani gym

NJB Classic 14U schedule

There are 4 pools in the 14U Division. Top 2 teams from each pool advance to championship playoff bracket.

Pool A
Team Hoops Mana (Calif.)
Dream Hoops Elite
Tar Heels

Pool B
Ali‘i
Westside BB (Waimea)
Central (Kapaa)

Pool C
H1 Thunder
Kona Stingrays
Team Lihue

Pool D
SGV 2019 (Calif.)
Lanakila
All-Stars

Wednesday, July 16
7:20 pm - H1 Thunder vs. Kona Stingrays (pool play), Palama gym

Thursday, July 17
Bye

Friday, July 18
Bye
Note: Kona Stingrays vs. Team Lihue, 8:00 pm, Manoa gym (Diamond Head court)

Saturday, July 19
9:00 am - H1 Thunder vs. Team Lihue (pool play), Palolo gym
Playoffs begin in the afternoon
5:00 pm - Pool C 2nd place vs. Pool A 1st place, Palolo gym
8:00 pm - Pool C 1st place vs. Pool A 2nd place, Palama gym

Sunday, July 20
Championship/consolation bracket playoffs, Manoa gym
Times/sites TBA

Note: There will be no warmup time due to lack of gym time. Be warmed up and stretched out early!
WE LUB THIS GAAAAAAAAAAAAAME!!

2 Days to Game Day

It's been more than a week since we played a game. It was a good break after a busy month of action. We got some conditioning work in, some practice time in. We practice this afternoon, have an optional conditioning working tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, and another team practice Tue afternoon. The guys who go to optional conditioning Tues AM will get a much lighter load of conditioning at practice. I just want to make practices available to everybody, especially with some guys busy in the afternoon or morning.

We'll have our schedule for the NJB Classic when I go to the coaches meeting on Tuesday night. From Wednesday to Sunday, expect to play 1 or 2 games per day/night, not including the CAL 13U game on Friday. And right after the tourney is pau on Sunday, we have CAL 13U and 15U games on Monday.

Get in shape, be in shape. Fun times are ahead, Thunder!
WE LUB THIS GAME!

This Week and beyond

Busy month behind us. Now we get back to practice, sharpen our tools, increase our endurance and conditioning. Starting next week, we're busy again, and it gets even busier when we land in Kona with two games every day, four days in a row.

Let's get to work! WE LUB THIS GAME!

Tuesday, July 8, 5:00 pm - Practice at Makiki Park
Wednesday, July 9, 10:00 am - Optional hill run, Palolo Valley (Carlos Long Road)

Thursday, July 10, 5:00 pm - Practice at Makiki Park

Friday, July 11, 10:00 am - Optional hill run, Palolo Valley (Carlos Long Road)

Saturday, July 12, 10:00 am - Practice at Makiki Park

Sunday, July 13, 2:00 pm - FT Challenge, McCully gym (or outside court)

Monday, July 17, 5:00 pm - Practice at Makiki Park

Tuesday, July 18, 5:00 pm - Optional shooting practice at Makiki Park

Wednesday, July 16, time TBA - Thunder vs. TBA (NJB Classic 14U), Manoa gym

Thursday, July 17, time TBA - Thunder vs. TBA (NJB Classic 14U), Manoa gym

Friday, July 18, time TBA - Thunder vs. TBA (NJB Classic 14U), Manoa gym

Friday, July 18, 5:30 pm - Thunder vs. HomeGrown (CAL 13U), Kilauea gym

Friday, July 18, 8:00 pm - Thunder vs. Kiawe Heat (CAL 13U), Kilauea gym

Saturday, July 19, time TBA - Thunder vs. TBA (NJB Classic 14U), Manoa gym

Sunday, July 20, time TBA - Thunder vs. TBA (NJB Classic 14U), Manoa gym

Monday, July 21, 7:10 pm - Thunder vs. Kiawe Heat (CAL 13U), Kilauea gym

Monday, July 21, 8:00 pm - Thunder vs. Sharks (CAL 15U), Kilauea gym

Wednesday, July 23, 5:30 pm - Thunder vs. Hoops4Christ (CAL 15U), Kilauea gym

Friday, July 25, 12:00 pm - Thunder vs. TBA (Big West/HISOA Varsity), site TBA

Friday, July 25, 3:00 pm - Thunder vs. TBA (Big West/HISOA Varsity), site TBA

Saturday, July 26, 12:00 pm - Thunder vs. TBA (Big West/HISOA Varsity), site TBA

Saturday, July 26, 3:00 pm - Thunder vs. TBA (Big West/HISOA Varsity), site TBA

Sunday, July 27, 12:00 pm - Thunder vs. San Francisco (WYBT 14U), Kekuaokalani gym

Sunday, July 27, 7:15 pm - Thunder vs. Los Angeles (WYBT 14U), Kekuaokalani gym

Monday, July 28, 4:00 pm - Thunder vs. TBA (WYBT 14U), Kekuaokalani gym

Monday, July 28, 6:00 pm - Thunder vs. TBA (WYBT 14U), Kekuaokalani gym

Tuesday, July 29, 10:45 am - Thunder vs. TBA (WYBT 14U), Kekuaokalani gym

Options 1-6

Whatever we do, even if we do nothing, we've got fundraisers ahead to pay for all our leagues and tournaments. Still need a new set of uniforms via Coach Roy Moraga, but below, some food for thought.

1. Mainland trip. Still priority. No loan, no trip. We've had some solid fundraisers so far, but that's enough only for current costs, not a trip. A "short" trip of 7 days (one tourney) would cost about $8,500. A longer trip (9 days and two tournaments) would be about $11,000. Traveling party of 10 maximum. (Last year we traveled with 14.)

2. Staycation. Rent out a couple of hotel rooms. Tourist thing: PCC, Water Park, Pearl Harbor. Waikiki night show? This would be during NJB tournament.

3. Big Island Tour. Arrange games vs. Big Island high school teams and clubs. If the schools are not allowed to host games, play at Kona's P&R gym maybe. I used to arrange tours like this for our men's team in Kona back in the 1990s. We played high school teams in preseason all the time, all over the Big Island. Super fun. Summer time might be a challenge. We'll see.

4. Two of the above.

5. Three of the above.

6. None of the above.

See Options 7-9, on Big Island tournaments, right here. 

Video: Thunder 17U vs San Fran

H1 Thunder vs. San Francisco, NJB Hawaii Summer Classic, 17U Division, Saturday, July 20, 2013, Manoa Valley Recreation Center. SF led 14-1, but the Thunder never gave up and kept chipping away. Watch for the big clutch plays down the stretch, including the game-winning shot by Isaiah Visoria in the final seconds. San Francisco went on to win the 17U Division.

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5


Part 6