H1 Thunder 43, Hoops4Christ 39 (V)

Ikaika League, Varsity Division, Palolo gym
Strong first half, then we hung on for a tough win over a good H4C team. Led 32-20 at the half after Ryan banked in a runner at the buzzer.

Mosi hurt his ankle on defense though during that first half. That left us with just 7 players and we had to grind it out. Solid defense tonight even with our young guys playing big minutes against a big, older team.

Radyn, Michael Tenchi held down the fort. Mosi returned late in the game. Colin hit a free throw with :04 left to clinch the win. We look like we're finally growing up in the Varsity Division, winning with our skeleton crew.

I think that ends our regular season. Playoffs are next. Any team can win this. Why not us? smile emoticon

Lineup: Jance, Ryan, Colin, Ryan, Mosi Afe, Michael, Tenchi Robinson, Radyn.
Mahalo to Ryan K for helping the boys with warmups. Whenever he is around the guys, good things always seem to happen.
Mahalo to Brandon H for shooting his 80th game in a row as a Thunder Volunteer.
Big mahalo to Mrs. Patti Chang for donating generously to the Thunder keiki once again. We lubb you!

Video: Thunder vs Celtics (V)

Mosi Afe last-second shot


Highlights


Full game footage


vs Celtics (V) 8/25/2015
Ikaika League, Varsity Division
∆∆ Full game http://youtu.be/THsLBgqQgec
∆∆ Highlights http://youtu.be/lMHdNz_pvnI
∆∆ Mosi Afe game-winning shot https://youtu.be/04hnCdaG6
Video: Brandon Higashionna.
Score: Thunder 44, Celtics 43.

H1 Thunder 44, Celtics 43

# H1 Thunder 44, Celtics 43 ##
Ikaika League, Varsity Divisuon, Palolo gym
Mosi made the game-winning shot at the buzzer. He got the rebound off a miss by Colin from the corner. Mosi was in the center of the key and the ball went off the rim right to him.

Another comeback win for the Thunder. Trailed by 10 or 12 points in the second half before rallying. Lot of heart on this young team.  Michael hit a couple of key baseline shots durnf the comeback. A lot of solid defense by Radyn, Tenchi, Mosi, Colm and Michael after we switched to man defense.

The Celtics were actually a Damien team. Good team with scorers and size. Physical with a lot of hand checking, hacking and shoulder dips when we drove by. The 3-man ref crew allowed more illegal contact than I've seen in a long time. I talked with then at halftime. They called it more evenly after that but also started calling us for some touch fouls. Not much middle ground.

We adjusted to it eventually. We had to. But this crew is out of sync with actual high school rules, particularly hand checking emphasis of the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.  The lead referee was the same one who saw Mosi get clotheslined 3 years ago at an Aiea tournament.. He was 10 feet away and made no call. Mosi had to sit out the rest of that tournament with a concussion. I sent the video to the tourney director and later the referee association director apologized to me after seeing the video.

So Mosi making the winning shot in this Celtics game was only fitting.

MAHALO to Brandon Higashionna for shooting his 73rd game in a row as a Thunder Volunteer. MAHALO To Jason Apuya for picking up Mosi when the rain and traffic made it impossible for me to pick jim up.

Lineup: Sierra Sisi, Jayden, Skylar Kawakami-bechtel,, Jamce, Michael, Radyn, Ryan, Colin Micah Ramos, Mosi Afe.

Next: Wed 430 pm - Practice at Makiki Park.
WE LUB THIS GAME!!
Eric Murobayashi Ray-Marlyn Ramos Jason Apuya Jason Kawakami Kaoru Robinson Lelalei Afe-Pasion

Video: Thunder vs LBC (V)

Highlights



Full game footage

vs LBC (V) 8/11/2015

Ikaika League, Varsity Division

∆∆ Full game http://youtu.be/kHISXCdOfYc

∆∆ Highlights http://youtu.be/NhuUQQAC0mc

Video: Brandon Higashionna.

Score: Thunder 54, LBC 49.

H1 Thunder 54, LBC 49 (V)

Ikaika League, Varsity Division, Palolo gym
Biggest comeback win in Thunder history. Down 9 at the half and 19 or 20 after that, our reserves went in and sparked the comeback with energy on defense. Mosi took command, attacking LBC's man defense with control and precision, the best I've seen him use his speed, picking his spots.

With our young subs Jayden, Colin and Josh R plus Sierra (three treys) in the game with Mosi, the lead went down to 6 points. After the rest of the starters returned, they sealed the deal with great defense and smart offense.

It was an ugly game for us during those first 22 or so minutes. Some of us are way out of shape, and we didn't execute anything as a team. But the last 10 minutes, everybody played with the heart of champions. They showed what they are truly made of.

Just one game, but it means a lot. We kept our composure and confidence. Now we just need to get ourselves into serious competitive physical condition.

Lineup: Sierra, Jayden, Colin, Ryan, Tenchi, Kali'a, Radyn, Mosi.

Next: Wednesday, 4:30 pm - Practice at Makiki Park.

Ikaika League game rescheduled to TONIGHT

The Ikaika League has revised its schedule again due to several requests by teams. The teams from the Central and Leeward side are going to play games at Aiea gym while the teams from town will play at Palolo gym.

That means we have a Varsity game tonight, 6:55 pm, at Palolo gym against LBC. 

I apologize for the confusion. I just found out myself. In a previous email, I was told that one of our games was rescheduled for sure, but it was NOT clear that all of our games (apparently) had been changed (date, opponent). When the league asked for a re-confirmation reply via email of each team's first game, I sent him what we knew (Wed Aug 12) and never got a reply.

Well, that's history. We play tonight. Let's go play with heart and smarts. See everybody at Palolo gym by 5:55 pm. Warmups and stretching on the outside court.
WE LUB THIS GAAME!!

Kailua 59, H1 Thunder 37 (15U)

PAA 15U semifinals, Palolo Valley gym

Great hustle and effort by our Thunder. Lot of missing players, but the ones we had played hard and made some nice plays. Kailua is the top seed, but we stayed close in the first 10 minutes at 14-13. Then their depth, skill, size and experience took over.

Our young guys off the bench, including some of our 13U Pups, played hard. Three of our starters in this game are Intermediate Thunder. Learning to step up to the challenge of playing older, taller, quick players is a process and they got some good experience today.

Before this game, we won our quarterfinal game against the Cats by forfeit. They had just four players who were eligible (or three), so they filled in their roster spots with guys from their other Sharks teams and we scrimmaged. didn't tell our guys until after the game because I didn't want anybody going soft. That's how injuries can happen.

All in all, our PAA 15U winter season went OK. If we'd been at full strength, no doubt we can stay with Kailua or any other team. A title was within reach. But we can't do anything about circumstances beyond our control. Hopefully, all our guys keep gaining knowledge and experience, keep getting better every day.

Lineup: Sierra, Jhevin, Jayden, Josh R, Gabriel, Josh D, Kali'a Mielke,Chase, Felcris, Javan.

Next: Today, 7:30 pm - H1 Thunder vs. H4C (Ikaika League JV Division), McCully gym. Get there 6:30 pm for stretching, hydration, warmups.
WE LOVE THIS GAME!!

PAA 15U playoffs

All on Saturday next weekend.

Saturday, Mar. 28, 10:15 am - vs Cats, PAA League (15U), Quarterfinal Round, McCully gym

Saturday, Mar. 28, 12:45 pm - Thunder-Cats winner vs Kailua-Court Kings winner, PAA League (15U), Semifinal Round, Palolo gym

Saturday, Mar. 28, 3:00 pm - Championship game, PAA League (15U), Palolo gym

Note: We also have an Ikaika League JV game that night (7:30 pm) at McCully gym. 

Video: Thunder vs Kahuku (15U)

HIGHLIGHTS


FULL GAME FOOTAGE
Coming soon.

Video: Pups vs Kahuku (13U)

HIGHLIGHTS


FULL GAME FOOTAGE


Highlight video is up.
vs Kahuku (13U) 2/7/2015
PAA League
∆∆ Highlights http://youtu.be/KRX-a1bcvZc
video: Ray Ramos
score: Thunder 39, Kahuku 34

'Pup Squad' 39, Kahuku 34

PAA 13U League, Palolo gym
We led 30-19 and had to fight off a HUGE Kahuku squad in the final minutes. Jonah's free throws with a few seconds left finally sealed the win.

Great hustle today, a lot of Thunder (Jayden, Josh R) hitting shots from long distance. Jonah also played well and is a big factor for us on the post, on the 3-point line, defending, pushing the break.

Micah was on fire through the first half and for a long stretch in the second half. This was about using speed and skill against a team of 5-10 guards and 6-0 and 6-4 posts. Their 6-4 center arrived around halftime. He hurt us under the basket with his size (260 pounds?) and we didn't offer much resistance. I wish our Pups would learn from a guy like Javan, who pushes big guys out, and when the big guys refuse to move, they end up getting 3-second violations. PUSH!

We've got so many good things going for us: playing with heart, toughness, ball movement, smart shot selection, fastbreaks, defensive stops, steals, more fastbreaks. We also make a lot of mistakes sometimes. Today's biggest boo-boos were being impatient with the ball, which led to bad passes, and not boxing out on every shot. Correctible stuff that takes reps and time, and more reps.

We went 4-3 in PAA regular season. Playoffs are next and every team is beatable. Let's see how far we can go, Pups.

It was great to see Ryan in uniform again. I wasn't expecting him to return until late February, but his dad gave the OK and he had his left wrist firmly wrapped. He gave us a lot of effort. The rust will shake off eventually.

Lineup: Jance, Chaz, Ryan, Trinity, Jayden, Jonah, Josh R, Micah.

Next:
9:40 am - Stretching/warmups at Aiea gym outside court.
10:40 am - H1 Thunder playoff game, Aiea gym (13U).
2:30 pm - Stretching/warmups at Kilauea gym outside court.
3:30 pm - H1 Thunder vs. Swish, Kilauea gym (Intermediate).
WE LOVE THIS GAAAME!!

Reminder: PAA 13U game at Palolo

Be there today (Saturday) by 12:45 pm for stretching and warmups on the outside court. If anybody needs a ride, let me know before 11:45 am.

The game is at 1:45 pm, not 1:00 pm. I told PAA League (Lloyd Lee) that one of our guys (Jance) has an earlier game and we can't do 1:00. But in case anything changed, we'll be there at 12:45 to warm up anyway.

WE LOVE THIS GAAAAME!!

Video: Pups vs PC All-Stars (13U)

PAA League, 13-Under Division
H1 Thunder 'Pup Squad' vs. Pearl City All-Stars
Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015
Palolo Valley District Park gym

HIGHLIGHTS

FULL GAME FOOTAGE


Video: Javan Montiho, Colin Ramos
Score: All-Stars 34, Thunder 25

Pearl City All-Stars 34, Pups 25 (13U)

(Not sure if that's the exact score. I'm uploading the video now.)
PAA 13U League, Palolo gym

We were down 10-2 at the start and stayed within 5-7 points for most of the game, until the final 2 minutes, I think. Our Pups played hard, but we're still an inexperienced team, overall, and Pearl City (and their double-roster hero, big Bailey Lee) played a smarter game. Until we play fundamentally sound basketball, it's going to be a season of ups and downs. So far, we're 3-2, not too bad, and there's so much room for improvement.

Our basketball IQ as a team (Pups) needs to get better, first and foremost, and that comes with reps, discipline and focus. Today, we were not focused at times, reverting back to some bad habits. My job is to end your bad habits and reinforce your fundamentals — hopefully by the time the playoffs start. We have two more regular-season games, then the first round of playoffs.

Lineup: Chaz, Jhevin, Walter, Trinity, Josh R, Jance, Jayden, Micah, Jonah.

MAHALO to Javan and Colin for shooting the game photo and supporting the Pups today.

Next: Sunday, 8:00 am - Stretching/warmups at Aiea gym. 9:00 am - vs. Aiea Blazers, playoffs, Aiea League (13U)
WE LOVE THIS GAAAAAAAAME!!

Kings 33, Thunder Pups 26 (PAA 13U)

PAA 13U League, Palolo Gym
GREAT HEART today.
Good hustle. Our PAA League team has a lot of inexperienced players who are new to each other. It will take time to develop chemistry. It will take time to train everybody on positioning in our halfcourt and fullcourt defenses. It will take time for each player to learn how to move the ball effectively.

I really don't have that kind of time. I want us to be good NOW. So the sooner everybody comes to practice ON TIME and the sooner we all listen and work, the faster we will improve. The more we practice and get reps on both offense and defense, the more we will play with speed and instincts rather than overthinking and moving slowly.

Our co-captains and most experienced players, Ryan and Micah, did all right today. We need them to be aggressive and push the tempo, look for their shots, and when they draw a double team, kick the ball to open teammates. They did that for most of the game until we all got fatigued. That's why those open 3-pointers missed in the last 4 minutes when we had Court Kings on the ropes.

We were totally outsized, but we did a pretty good job boxing out. Of course, that's not enough to do a "pretty good" job against a team of 6-footers. We — all five Thunder on the court — have to box out on EVERY shot, box out every opposing player. That's the truth. Otherwise, we give up easy layups instead of getting rebounds and scoring on the fastbreak.

We have the potential to become a good team in PAA. My guess is Court Kings are one of the top teams with their height and inside game. They almost lost to us and we're not even close to our potential yet. I have hope and I expect the best from our team every day. I think every one of our players should, too. We're in this together.
Lineup: Jhevin, Chaz, Trinity, Jonah, Jayden, Micah, Ryan, Jance, Little Josh.
Next: Sunday, 8:00 am - Stretching/warmups at Aiea gym. 9:00 am - H1 Thunder vs. Aiea Blazers (13U).
Monday, 5:00 pm - Practice at Makiki Park.
WE LUB THIS GAAAAME!!

Video: Thunder vs Ali‘i Blue (13U)

NJB All-Net Basketball League, 13-Under Division, quarterfinal round. Sunday, May 25, 2014. Palolo Valley District Park gym.
video: Brandon Higashionna
score: Ali‘i Blue 47, Thunder 33

Video: 8 treys vs Ali‘i Blue (13U)

Our long-range bombers almost saved the day in this 13U playoff game against top-seeded Ali‘i Blue. What a comeback from 17 points down!

Ali‘i Blue 47, H1 Thunder 33 (13U)

NJB All-Net League, 13U Division quarterfinal, Palolo gym
Game of extremes, falling behind 11-0, down 12 at the half, down 15 or 17 in the second half before a huge Thunder run from the 3-point arc. It went from 33-16 or so to 33-all with about 8 minutes left.

Then we went cold again. Ali‘i Blue was the first-place team in Pool B, easily the tallest, biggest team we've faced this season, and with very good guards and a wing who was excellent attacking the basket. They pressed us and we were sloppy, panicky and scared for the first 5 or 6 minutes. The rest of the time, they sat back in a 2-3 zone. The run of threes was coming at some point. When it did, we looked like the best 13U team in the league.

I still believe we were - in spurts. The difference between us and Ali‘i Blue, besides their size, is that they've practiced together consistently for several months. We have great kids, but roughly half our team misses practices for various reasons. That's why our composure against a fullcourt press was down early in the game, and that's why our conditioning is not where it should be.

Even with those limitations, our 13U guys won 4 games in a row after a rough 1-3 start. They figured out who they were as a team that lacked size and depth. They learned to rely on each other, to control tempo, to play fierce halfcourt and fullcourt defense. 

Every win is earned by players. Every loss is on a coach. I wish I could've helped you guys find a way to overcome that sluggish start and move into the semifinals. Everybody on this team sacrificed so much because of our limitations. There were times when you played Small Ball so beautifully, it was like watching a high school varsity team.You executed like a machine.

I wonder about our tough, skinny guards like Josh and Colin, how they had to play the low post often and get pushed and bumped by big kids 50 or 100 pounds heavier. I wonder about Javan and all our gunners (Ryan hit two huge threes during our rally today), guys who have hit four, five, even six treys in a game, and how they had to sacrifice so that the team would be in better position to win games because of the change in tempo.

This may not have been our most talented or biggest 13U team, but they had as much heart as any, and they had to play with great courage. 

We have one more game to play, a consolation game against McCully next Saturday, 10:30 am at Kilauea gym. 

Today's lineup: Javan Montiho, Thomas Baptiste, Micah Visoria, Ryan Higashionna, Josh M DE Jesus, Colin Ramos, Felcris Jay CorpuzAhadain, Chris Afe.
Thanks also to Kali'a Mielke, Kyle Moraga and Roy Moraga for turning out to support the Thunder 13U.
WE LUB THIS GAME!

Video: Thunder vs Dream Hoops (15U)

Part 1


Part 2


vs Dream Hoops Elite 5/11/2014 (NJB All-Net 15U)
video: Gerard Porras
score: Thunder 43, Dream Hoops 40

H1 Thunder 43, Dream Hoops 40 (15U)

NJB All-Net 15U, Palolo gym
Another tall team - one of their guys is supposedly 6-foot-10. Another smart win for our group of new guys. Having Anu back helped a lot, and Kapaa and Kanehe are as healthy as they've been in a long time. We got superb defense most of the way from all 7 Thunder. That was the difference. 

Our fullcourt pressure and hustle, especially by Drake, Gabriel, Chase - that made a huge difference. Instead of being at the mercy of guys 6-10, 6-2, 6-0 in the paint, the game was played at midcourt and in the backcourt. 

We're getting smarter, but we're not quite there yet. A lot of unforced errors in the final 3 minutes. We almost gave this away. But be proud of this win, Thunder. You gritted this out and earned the victory.
Raydyn, Kapaa and Anu, great job playing physical in halfcourt defense. That's how it is done!

Mahalo to the Santos ohana for fixing the video camera problem, and mahalo to Uncle Gerard for shooting the game video again. 

Today's lineup: Kanehe Nishimura, Kapaa Nishimura, Drake Lee, Gabriel Porras, Chase Santos, Raydyn Kaleikini, Keanu Pratt.
Eric Murobayashi, Lehua Nishimura. 

Next: Monday, 5:00 pm - Practice at Makiki Park.