Playing with 5

Okay - so I have found a new love - coaching! One of my friends here on the Big Island landed the head basketball coaching job at the high school she teaches at. She has welcomed me in to help out with the varsity girls. I get to come help at practice and this weekend we had our first games.

Kealakehe High School is a huge school - well over 1000 students. But for some reason basketball is not a game that has drawn a big crowd. There are no feeder programs - no little league, no middle school program, no AAU. We had 10 girls come out for varsity - and now because of grades, injuries and club sports we are down to 7. Early this week one of our 7 girls injured her hand and the doctor said she could not play this weekend. So yes, down to 6. Oh, wait there is more - one girl had a funeral on the other side of the island and missed Friday and Saturday's games. Our girls played with 5 - no subs, no breaks, and hoping for few fouls. There have been many funny jokes - like "Coach - who is starting?"

So - how did we do? These girls win the title of "Fab 5!" They played their hearts out! Friday night they won by 34 points to a smaller school on the island. They dominated the court, put their shots in and stayed out of foul trouble. It was a beautiful display of team effort - even when they were completely exhausted.

Tonight, they came out for their third game in three days with their 'A' game on. Tonight we played a tougher team who had a full bench of eager players. We led most of the game, sometimes by as many as 10 points. They ran their offense well and played tough defense. Two of the girls went for a combined 13 for 14 in their free throws. Here is where the story get interesting. I'm not sure how many varsity games have ever been played with no players on the bench, but this one has to go down in the record books.

Here is my gross approximation of what happened -
With two minutes left to go in the game we were up by 1 point. One of our girls made a silly frustration foul - sending them to the line for 1-1 and giving her a 4th foul. They pulled a head making both free throws. We went down the court and got fouled inside the paint. We made our free throws and then on the other end our first player fouled out. Down to 4 players they continued to keep neck in neck. On the next possession our second player picked up her 5th. So yes, we had 3 girls on the court. We practice 3 on 2, but never would you dream of having to play 3 on 5. First round of defense, they missed a shot and our girl got the ball and drew a foul. She went to the line 1-1, high pressure free throws - make one to tie, both to pull into the lead again. Swish, Swish 51-50 - we lead again with 15 seconds left. Their star player who scored more than 1/2 their points took the ball and it looked like she we going to try to go coast to coast. Our guard stopped her up and caused a jump ball by scrambling to the floor for the tie up. Unfortunately the arrow was pointed their way. During the time out, coach told them to allow the 3, just don't let them have an easy lay up. Again their star took the ball and began driving for the basket. With 2 seconds all 3 of our girls were surrounding her just below the free throw lane - she heaved up an ugly shot that had too much hope in it. With 2 seconds - swish - game over. In the books we lost, but the way these girls played as the complete underdogs - they get a win from me. Hearts left on the court, no shame, nothing but pride! Go Lady WaveRiders!!!