H1 Thunder 27, HomeGrown 26, OT (13U)

CAL 13U Division, McKinley gym
In a great battle between David and Goliath, the little guys won. Ryan's free throw in overtime was the game winner. HG's first five FT shooters in overtime (shootout style) missed. Our first four foul shooters missed.

Then Ryan stepped up and swished his shot, all net. It was a dramatic end to a tight game. We played small ball, but with a 30-second shot clock, we couldn't stretch possessions like we've been accustomed to (if necessary).

Instead, our five-guard offense found a way to rally from a 10-point deficit. HomeGrown has a hefty 6-4 (or 6-5) center and a physical, big 5-11 low-post scorer. But our constant fullcourt pressure kept us in the game. The guys played their tails off, swarming on their giant like fighter jets on King Kong. "Big" Josh, Colin, Javan, Ryan — our gritty guys pushed the big boys back as much as humanly possible.
When we started hitting threes over their 2-3 zone (it took awhile to get used to those Baden balls), it was just a matter of time.

We had a small lead in the final few minutes, made some offensive mistakes, missed a big free throw, and their scorer (44) drove for the tying basket with :04 left. I yelled for a time out. Refs couldn't hear me, I guess.

Then came the OT shootout. Their first 3 shooters missed. So did ours. Then it was their next two shooters, who missed. Our fourth guy missed, but Ryan came through. 

It would've gone right down the line to guys on the bench if necessary. 

We didn't have a guy over 5-7. Small ball rules. 

Today's lineup: Walter Berthold, Josh Roberts, Thomas BaptisteTakahashi, Micah Visoria, Javan Montiho, Colin Ramos, Josh M DE Jesus, Felcris Jay Corpuz Ahadain, Ryan Higashionna.

Mahalo to Jared Elwin, Mosi Afe and Kyle Moraga for supporting our 13U Thunder. Also recent grad and All-State guard Isaiah Visoria and his family.

Most of the 13U and some of the 15U met up at Beretania Pizza Hut after the game to celebrate the end of the NJB All-Net season. Great finish by both teams! Mahalo to Coach Roy Moraga for taking Josh and Felcris home. 

We didn't have a guy over 5-7. Small ball rules. Will we be this small all summer in 13U? With Kapaa focusing on JV/Varsity leagues and Chris busy with football activities, the answer is yes. But we proved once again that no obstacle is big enough to stop us. Goliath included.

Maybe the best part is, every single one of our 13U guys is learning how to be a leader. How to be composed. How to compete despite extreme, supposed disadvantages. How to win. That's something nobody can teach. It's all on you guys, doing some remarkable things. Some courageous things every week against guys 50, 75, 100-plus pounds heavier. I cannot help but have the utmost respect for you. 

Next: Monday, 5:00 pm - Practice at Makiki Park.
WE LUB THIS GAME!

Small ball is speed ball

Clarification: OK, this is the breakdown for 17U in the Pa'a League, which begins this weekend...

Kaimuki HS does NOT have a team in the league, which means Jerry, JayAre, Tai, Kency, Kenny all are eligible to play with the Thunder. That's the good news.

The bad news: Kalani has a team in the Pa'a League. I didn't even realize it, not having studied the schedule. Mike mentioned at practice today that Kalani is in it, and sure enough, when I took another look at the schedule, there they are. So we lose Mike for the Pa'a League.

Good news #2: When NJB starts its Fall league (17U), we'll have all our guys together again. Hopefully.

For now, we are literally short on big men. Kaelen is out until late August. John is still on his mainland trip (until next week). We don't have Mike. So it's on all our guards and forwards to get tough under the basket and play smart. We'll maximize our strengths — speed, shooting, passing — and spread the court against those bigger, slower teams any time we get the lead.

Always up for the challenge! I LUB THIS GAME.

Note: Just got word from the CAL League today that after the Fall League, they will resume play in January with Intermediate and Elementary Divisions. This is different from their usual 15U/13U/11U format in boys hoops. What it means is, if you are eighth grade or younger, you play for your team's Intermediate squad. If you are fifth grade or younger, you play with the Elementary squad.

I decided to look into this because we have teams younger than high school for the first time. Instead of sitting idle during the winter season while the high school guys play their games, we'll stay busy with our guys who are currently playing 13U/12U.

Note #2: It looks like slim pickins for our 15U roster this fall. Though we'll have numbers with our 13U guys playing "up" in age group, we could use a couple of guys who can help on the boards and perimeter shooting. And ballhandling. We're going to be (still) quite inexperienced, though we are definitely improving. So if you have friends who are willing to be committed, please bring them to practice before CAL 15U begins next week.