Coach Roy called asking how we did at Aiea, and I asked how 15U did at Palolo. Nice win for 15U! At some point, these guys will develop chemistry whether it's during games or practice/scrimmages. I'm glad it's developing.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Sunday funday
17U/15U practice Sunday 11 am, McCully Gym.
Late shooting workout 3 pm, Makiki Park
13U welcome to both.
Late shooting workout 3 pm, Makiki Park
13U welcome to both.
Aiea 12U title game: Thunder 26, Imua 22
Joshua's defense on Imua's sharpshooter (#10), total face-to-face coverage, was a huge factor. The guy hit two or three treys to start the game, Joshua got the assignment to shut him down ... the guy didn't take another shot all game long. That's heart. That's defense!
Ryan also took a turn guarding the guy and did a great job, too. Kalai was terrific on defense, passing on offense and finishing at the basket when Little Micah and Jared got steals. Jared did another phenomenal job on defense, so many hustle plays for deflections and steals, while directing the offense with flow.
Little Micah was key today with ballhandling and hustle plays, and that 3-point bomb in the last 2 minutes to give us the 4-point play was clutch. Little Micah is a happy-go-lucky kid off the court, but a cold-blooded sniper on it.
Javan, Felcris and Walter were strong off the bench today, giving us a boost in the semifinal game that allowed me to rest our starters for the title game, and that makes huge difference for us. Ryan was the X Factor. The last time we played Imua, he had to leave for another game at halftime and we wound up losing. This time, we had a 3-point lead again, but he stayed and we wound up winning. Ryan gives us so many plus factors and so few minuses that it makes that kind of difference — instead of losing by 3 we win by 4. That's what good basketball players do, even if they don't score a lot of points in one game or another.
He even boxed out so well, the big boy on Imua's team wanted to "scrap" with him after the game during the handshake line. Sad that the boy wanted to make trouble (his coaches fixed that problem later), but it shows what great effort can do. Imua didn't dominate us on the boards like they did a few weeks ago when they beat us.
Big Micah - so many things have improved quickly in the past few weeks, and when he's hitting quality shots (high post today), it really lifts our offense. The defense, the passing, the footwork - the work gets better and better.
I'm proud, proud, proud of you guys. You put in the work, never complained and improved your skills. Most of all, you trusted each other (and me) and did this together. Congratulations on the championship!
Team pot luck next Sunday (March 17), 11:00 am, Ala Moana Beach Park. I'll e-mail out a list when I get home tonight.
BIG MAHALOS to Uncle Carl/Aunty Julie, Auntie Claire, Uncle Mark and everybody else who brought snacks and drinks for the kids during our long stay at Aiea gym today. It was awesome to see so much family at the games cheering them on!
Friday, March 8, 2013
Saturday 15U plays at Palolo
REMINDER: Saturday's 15U game is at PALOLO GYM, 3:00 pm.
Not Kilauea Gym.
Not Kilauea Gym.
CAL: Kalakaua 54, Thunder 49*
Tough loss to Kalakaua, not sure what the final was - I think it was 54-49. (* I forget the final score, but it was somewhere around 4-5 point loss.)
We played horrible. Then we played GREAT. That comeback from 20+ down was amazing. We tied it at 45-all and 47-all before Kalakaua pulled away at the end. The only difference between us and them is mental sharpness. IF WE PLAY MENTALLY SHARP FROM THE START, we do much, much, much, much, much better.
I'm proud of you guys on the great comeback. But I've got to find a way to have you guys play great basketball for the entire game. My gut says it takes time for teams this young to improve and reach an elite level. But my heart says we already have what it takes. We were probably the youngest team BY FAR in the CAL Middle School Division. We were in every game but one (when seven guys were missing).
That tells me we're very close. We've shown it in the younger leagues (Aiea 12, PAA 13U) with a combined record of 10-2. But more importantly, the hustle is always there. Now, we need to focus also on the mind and preparing the mind for competition.
That ends the CAL season. We were 2-6, even with some of our best guys not there often. We took our losses and we have learned, I hope, to get better for the next challenge . . . which is the AIEA 12U LEAGUE SEMIFINALS tomorrow morning. If we beat Aiea Blazers I (tough team), we play for the title at 2:00 pm. Fun times ahead.
WE LUB THIS GAME.
We played horrible. Then we played GREAT. That comeback from 20+ down was amazing. We tied it at 45-all and 47-all before Kalakaua pulled away at the end. The only difference between us and them is mental sharpness. IF WE PLAY MENTALLY SHARP FROM THE START, we do much, much, much, much, much better.
I'm proud of you guys on the great comeback. But I've got to find a way to have you guys play great basketball for the entire game. My gut says it takes time for teams this young to improve and reach an elite level. But my heart says we already have what it takes. We were probably the youngest team BY FAR in the CAL Middle School Division. We were in every game but one (when seven guys were missing).
That tells me we're very close. We've shown it in the younger leagues (Aiea 12, PAA 13U) with a combined record of 10-2. But more importantly, the hustle is always there. Now, we need to focus also on the mind and preparing the mind for competition.
That ends the CAL season. We were 2-6, even with some of our best guys not there often. We took our losses and we have learned, I hope, to get better for the next challenge . . . which is the AIEA 12U LEAGUE SEMIFINALS tomorrow morning. If we beat Aiea Blazers I (tough team), we play for the title at 2:00 pm. Fun times ahead.
WE LUB THIS GAME.
Unify: Stylin n Profilin
This is/was our first uniform design change in two years. We went from orange/white reversibles to light gray dri-fit type with teal blue/orange print. Turned out a lot nicer than I expected. They've looked great during the winter season with the matching gray shorts.
Still waiting for most of 13U/12U to sell enough T-shirts to pay for these (four shirts) and the league entry fees (two shirts per league). Once we have that taken care of, 13U/12U will get a chance to wear these new threads. Yeah baby, new unis for the spring season. Why? Because 13U/12U not only work hard, you guys LISTEN and excel with poise that is normally reserved for teams much, much older.
This orange one is yet to be printed for numbers. Just got them back from James Davis (Chocolate Factory) on Thursday.
The blues just arrived from the P.I. and Coach Roy's brother-in-law came through BIG TIME. These teal blues are beautiful. Matching numbers on the shorts. This is the Oklahoma City Thunder Christmas Day uniform style we were looking for. Even the font of the lettering is almost exactly the same. I'll have better photos in the daytime.
They look a little bit aqua greenish in the photos, but they are actually teal blue.
Remember, everybody, sell, sell, sell them T-shirts. $20 each. Tell me who wants to buy them, send me their phone number and I will deliver instantly.
WE LUB THIS GAME!
Still waiting for most of 13U/12U to sell enough T-shirts to pay for these (four shirts) and the league entry fees (two shirts per league). Once we have that taken care of, 13U/12U will get a chance to wear these new threads. Yeah baby, new unis for the spring season. Why? Because 13U/12U not only work hard, you guys LISTEN and excel with poise that is normally reserved for teams much, much older.
This orange one is yet to be printed for numbers. Just got them back from James Davis (Chocolate Factory) on Thursday.
The blues just arrived from the P.I. and Coach Roy's brother-in-law came through BIG TIME. These teal blues are beautiful. Matching numbers on the shorts. This is the Oklahoma City Thunder Christmas Day uniform style we were looking for. Even the font of the lettering is almost exactly the same. I'll have better photos in the daytime.
They look a little bit aqua greenish in the photos, but they are actually teal blue.
Remember, everybody, sell, sell, sell them T-shirts. $20 each. Tell me who wants to buy them, send me their phone number and I will deliver instantly.
WE LUB THIS GAME!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Video: 15U vs. TNT
Game video from our 15U game with TNT. It's a very good lesson for us all. TNT wasn't as tall as other teams, nor as physical. But they shot well enough, moved the ball and hustled back on defense. Meanwhile, we rarely got our fastbreak going. Watch how often we just walk the ball upcourt. That is not Thunder basketball, gents.
Watch, learn, move on. Just three weeks together, the 15U will get better. We will get faster, that's for sure.
Part 1 Part 2
Part 1 Part 2
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
15U: TNT 39, Thunder 36
Close 39-36 loss to TNT in PAA 15U League play tonight at Kilauea Gym. TNT wasn't as big physically as Kahuku, but they've been together for awhile (Kaiser) and they played well together. Our boys continue to hustle, but the lack of practice time the past week really showed, so my job as a coach is to make sure we get everyone there.
Next game, though, is on Saturday, 3:00 p.m. We don't have a practice scheduled before then; the 13U play Friday afternoon, and the 12U plays in the Aiea League playoffs on Saturday. So no practice time, but I think we'll be all right.
1. We're still getting used to each other, players and players, players and coaches.
2. Most of the team hasn't shown up for practices — not learning and mastering plays — so the lack of chemistry against a 2-3 zone all night was almost predictable.
3. We didn't push the ball up the court with the pass enough. Too much dribbling.
4. We didn't execute the 41 press. Hardly at all tonight.
Good news is things will get better. We're 2-2 with three games left, easily could've been 3-1 even though we've been together as a team for barely three weeks.
After PAA ends on March 15, there's NJB All-Net League. Then summer will be here and maybe a mainland tournament trip? We'll see. I hope we can do it, but we need to become one team first. I think 15U can become a really good team. The 13U and 12U are really close to being at that level because they really like to practice together. There is trust.
Timing, trust and teamwork requires spending time together. Practicing together. There's no substitute. Never forget that.
It's true, we did miss the guys who are more familiar with the plays and their teammates. Brent. Jimark. Bubu definitely would've helped.
Saturday, 15U plays Kalakaua. They'll be a smart, hustling team with good fundamentals. We just have to be smarter, hustle more than them and play with heart. Until we get in tune with each other, that's what it's going to take to beat good teams. 100% heart.
Next game, though, is on Saturday, 3:00 p.m. We don't have a practice scheduled before then; the 13U play Friday afternoon, and the 12U plays in the Aiea League playoffs on Saturday. So no practice time, but I think we'll be all right.
1. We're still getting used to each other, players and players, players and coaches.
2. Most of the team hasn't shown up for practices — not learning and mastering plays — so the lack of chemistry against a 2-3 zone all night was almost predictable.
3. We didn't push the ball up the court with the pass enough. Too much dribbling.
4. We didn't execute the 41 press. Hardly at all tonight.
Good news is things will get better. We're 2-2 with three games left, easily could've been 3-1 even though we've been together as a team for barely three weeks.
After PAA ends on March 15, there's NJB All-Net League. Then summer will be here and maybe a mainland tournament trip? We'll see. I hope we can do it, but we need to become one team first. I think 15U can become a really good team. The 13U and 12U are really close to being at that level because they really like to practice together. There is trust.
Timing, trust and teamwork requires spending time together. Practicing together. There's no substitute. Never forget that.
It's true, we did miss the guys who are more familiar with the plays and their teammates. Brent. Jimark. Bubu definitely would've helped.
Saturday, 15U plays Kalakaua. They'll be a smart, hustling team with good fundamentals. We just have to be smarter, hustle more than them and play with heart. Until we get in tune with each other, that's what it's going to take to beat good teams. 100% heart.
Summer travel?
Dream big. Which tourney is best for our 12U/13U, 15U, 17U?
• Chauncey Billups Academy King of the Hill, Denver, CO, May 24-27. Probably too early for us (we need to fundraise!), but food for thought. Divisions: 11th grade, 8th grade, 7th grade.http://www.billupselite.com/
• Gold Crown summer league (two weeks), Denver, CO., May 28-June 6. This is really wacky, a two-week league, two games per day on five different playing dates for 10 total games. Not sure if 1) they would allow an out-of-state team, or 2) if we could afford to stay there for almost two weeks. But it's more food for thought. Actually, now that I think about it, isn't everybody still in school on May 28? https://
• Swoosh Las Vegas Classic, July 5-7. Divisions: 13U, 12U, High School Bronze (JV) and/or High School Silver (JV or low Varsity level) or HS Gold (Varsity level). Keanu Vela's team (Colorado Elite) played in the Swoosh Ultimate Showcase and won last year (18U).http://
• MAYB Tournament, Denver, CO, July 12-14. If you're wondering why all the Denver tournament info, it's because Keanu, his dad Daniel and I have been in contact today. Though Vegas is shiny and bright, there's a lot more for us to do in Denver (pro baseball). There's also more going in Cali (pro baseball, Disneyland?, Universal Studios, etc.) but the only tourney I know of is the Swoosh OC tourneys, and they're only two days long.http://www.mayb.com/
NOTE: Daniel (Keanu's dad) said hotel prices in Denver can be very inexpensive ($35-$45/night) if you find a good deal. He said when they traveled to Vegas last year, they found rooms for $19/night. Kind of incredible. He also generously offered to let us stay at their humongous home in Aurora (?). I think we'll try our best to raise enough for hotel rooms and spare the Velas the task of hosting 12 or 15 basketball fanatics.
Mahalo Daniel and Keanu!
• Chauncey Billups Academy King of the Hill, Denver, CO, May 24-27. Probably too early for us (we need to fundraise!), but food for thought. Divisions: 11th grade, 8th grade, 7th grade.http://www.billupselite.com/
• Gold Crown summer league (two weeks), Denver, CO., May 28-June 6. This is really wacky, a two-week league, two games per day on five different playing dates for 10 total games. Not sure if 1) they would allow an out-of-state team, or 2) if we could afford to stay there for almost two weeks. But it's more food for thought. Actually, now that I think about it, isn't everybody still in school on May 28? https://
• Swoosh Las Vegas Classic, July 5-7. Divisions: 13U, 12U, High School Bronze (JV) and/or High School Silver (JV or low Varsity level) or HS Gold (Varsity level). Keanu Vela's team (Colorado Elite) played in the Swoosh Ultimate Showcase and won last year (18U).http://
• MAYB Tournament, Denver, CO, July 12-14. If you're wondering why all the Denver tournament info, it's because Keanu, his dad Daniel and I have been in contact today. Though Vegas is shiny and bright, there's a lot more for us to do in Denver (pro baseball). There's also more going in Cali (pro baseball, Disneyland?, Universal Studios, etc.) but the only tourney I know of is the Swoosh OC tourneys, and they're only two days long.http://www.mayb.com/
NOTE: Daniel (Keanu's dad) said hotel prices in Denver can be very inexpensive ($35-$45/night) if you find a good deal. He said when they traveled to Vegas last year, they found rooms for $19/night. Kind of incredible. He also generously offered to let us stay at their humongous home in Aurora (?). I think we'll try our best to raise enough for hotel rooms and spare the Velas the task of hosting 12 or 15 basketball fanatics.
Mahalo Daniel and Keanu!
Time change: 13U game on Mar 16
The Thunder 13U game against 808 West on Saturday, March 16 (next week) has been changed from morning to 5:00 pm. The game will still be played at Palolo Gym.
Mahalo to PAA League commissioner Lloyd Lee for his help and hard work. It would've been extremely hard for us to field a full roster on a Saturday morning, so Lloyd's assistance is highly appreciated.
Mahalo to PAA League commissioner Lloyd Lee for his help and hard work. It would've been extremely hard for us to field a full roster on a Saturday morning, so Lloyd's assistance is highly appreciated.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Tuesday funday
Good work tonight at practice by the Thunder ballers. Jared returned (wrist injury) and was hitting that sweet floater (I'm told). A lot of the 13U/12U were there. Mahalo Coach Roy and Kyle for getting everybody lots of reps while I was at work.
It's been an interesting 10 months since we started the 13U/12U teams. I never expected these guys (and girl) to be as dedicated and consistent as they've been. They already have work ethic and pretty high basketball IQ, but they love to keep working on their game individually and as a team.
That's what I love as a basketball coach and fan. It's not something that can be taught. It comes from inside and these kids got it. They know it takes work to get better. It has to be earned because it is not given. Sweat = Results.
WE LUB THIS GAME!
It's been an interesting 10 months since we started the 13U/12U teams. I never expected these guys (and girl) to be as dedicated and consistent as they've been. They already have work ethic and pretty high basketball IQ, but they love to keep working on their game individually and as a team.
That's what I love as a basketball coach and fan. It's not something that can be taught. It comes from inside and these kids got it. They know it takes work to get better. It has to be earned because it is not given. Sweat = Results.
WE LUB THIS GAME!
Updated schedule, Mar. 5
Adds PAA 13U/15U and Aiea 12U playoff schedule.
Update/note: Time change for 13U game on 3/16.
Tuesday, Mar. 5
6:00 pm - 15U/13U Practice, Kalakaua Gym
Wednesday, Mar. 6
6:45 pm - Warmups, Kilauea Gym outside courts
7:45 pm - 15U vs. TNT, Kilauea Gym
Friday, Mar. 8
4:30 pm - Warmups, Kilauea Gym outside courts
5:30 pm - Thunder vs. Kalakaua, Kilauea Gym (final CAL game)
Saturday, Mar. 9
Aiea 12U playoffs
10:30 am Warmups, Aiea Gym outside court
11:30 am Thunder 12U vs. Aiea Blazers 1, Aiea Gym
Championship or third-place game to follow. Championship game 2:00 pm. Third-place game 1:10 pm.
3:00 pm Thunder 15U vs. Kalakaua, Palolo Gym (PAA)
Sunday, Mar. 10
11:00 am - 17U/15U practice, McCully Gym
Monday, Mar. 11
6:00 pm - Practice, Kalakaua outside courts
Tuesday, Mar. 12
6:00 pm - 15U/13U Practice, Kalakaua Gym
Wednesday, Mar. 13
6:00 pm Warmups, Kilauea Gym outside courts
7:00 pm Thunder 13U vs. Hoops 4 Christ, Kilauea Gym (PAA)
7:45 pm Thunder 15U vs. Kalihi Valley, Kilauea Gym (PAA)
Friday, Mar. 15
5:45 pm Warmups, Koko Head Gym outside courts
6:45 pm Thunder 15U vs. Imua, Koko Head Gym (PAA)
Saturday, Mar. 16
(Note: Time of game has changed as of March 5)
4:00 pm9:15 am Warmups, Palolo Gym outside courts
5:00 pm10:15 am Thunder 13U vs. 808 West, Palolo Gym (PAA)
Sunday, Mar. 17
11:00 am - 17U/15U practice, McCully Gym
Monday, Mar. 18
6:00 pm - Practice, Kalakaua outside courts
Note: PAA 13U playoffs begin
Tuesday, Mar. 19
6:00 pm - Practice, Kalakaua Gym
Wednesday, Mar. 20
Note: PAA 15U playoffs begin
Mar. 20-23
Aiea 13U Tournament, Aiea Gym
Sunday, Mar. 24
11:00 am - 17U/15U practice, McCully Gym
Monday, Mar. 25
6:00 pm - 13U/15U Practice, Kalakaua outside courts
Tuesday, Mar. 26
6:00 pm - 15U/13U Practice, Kalakaua Gym
Wednesday, Mar. 27
Aiea 17U league begins
Sunday, Mar. 31
11:00 am - 17U/15U practice, McCully Gym
Monday, Apr. 1
6:00 pm - 15U/13U Practice, Kalakaua outside courts
Tuesday, Apr. 9
Update/note: Time change for 13U game on 3/16.
Tuesday, Mar. 5
6:00 pm - 15U/13U Practice, Kalakaua Gym
Wednesday, Mar. 6
6:45 pm - Warmups, Kilauea Gym outside courts
7:45 pm - 15U vs. TNT, Kilauea Gym
Friday, Mar. 8
4:30 pm - Warmups, Kilauea Gym outside courts
5:30 pm - Thunder vs. Kalakaua, Kilauea Gym (final CAL game)
Saturday, Mar. 9
Aiea 12U playoffs
10:30 am Warmups, Aiea Gym outside court
11:30 am Thunder 12U vs. Aiea Blazers 1, Aiea Gym
Championship or third-place game to follow. Championship game 2:00 pm. Third-place game 1:10 pm.
3:00 pm Thunder 15U vs. Kalakaua, Palolo Gym (PAA)
Sunday, Mar. 10
11:00 am - 17U/15U practice, McCully Gym
Monday, Mar. 11
6:00 pm - Practice, Kalakaua outside courts
Tuesday, Mar. 12
6:00 pm - 15U/13U Practice, Kalakaua Gym
Wednesday, Mar. 13
6:00 pm Warmups, Kilauea Gym outside courts
7:00 pm Thunder 13U vs. Hoops 4 Christ, Kilauea Gym (PAA)
7:45 pm Thunder 15U vs. Kalihi Valley, Kilauea Gym (PAA)
Friday, Mar. 15
5:45 pm Warmups, Koko Head Gym outside courts
6:45 pm Thunder 15U vs. Imua, Koko Head Gym (PAA)
Saturday, Mar. 16
(Note: Time of game has changed as of March 5)
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
Sunday, Mar. 17
11:00 am - 17U/15U practice, McCully Gym
Monday, Mar. 18
6:00 pm - Practice, Kalakaua outside courts
Note: PAA 13U playoffs begin
Tuesday, Mar. 19
6:00 pm - Practice, Kalakaua Gym
Wednesday, Mar. 20
Note: PAA 15U playoffs begin
Mar. 20-23
Aiea 13U Tournament, Aiea Gym
Sunday, Mar. 24
11:00 am - 17U/15U practice, McCully Gym
Monday, Mar. 25
6:00 pm - 13U/15U Practice, Kalakaua outside courts
Tuesday, Mar. 26
6:00 pm - 15U/13U Practice, Kalakaua Gym
Wednesday, Mar. 27
Aiea 17U league begins
Sunday, Mar. 31
11:00 am - 17U/15U practice, McCully Gym
Monday, Apr. 1
6:00 pm - 15U/13U Practice, Kalakaua outside courts
Tuesday, Apr. 2
6:00 pm - 15U/13U Practice, Kalakaua Gym
Friday, Apr. 5
NJB All-Net League begins (17U/15U/13U)
Sunday, Apr. 7
NJB All-Net League begins (17U/15U/13U)
Sunday, Apr. 7
11:00 am - 17U/15U practice, McCully Gym
Monday, Apr. 8
Monday, Apr. 8
6:00 pm - 15U/13U Practice, Kalakaua outside courts
Tuesday, Apr. 9
6:00 pm - 15U/13U Practice, Kalakaua Gym
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