Pride

When you go to Las Vegas, you expect the whole partying, getting drunk, and walking the strip scene, but when I went to Las Vegas, it was a little more PG rated and a lot more fun. This past summer, my basketball team and I went half way across the country in hopes of playing against some of the best basketball teams in the nation. We got that experience and much, much more.
It all began with my dad, my grandma, and I driving from Los Angeles, CA to Las Vegas, NV, because these travel plans were much cheaper than flying directly to Nevada. While we were driving, my teammates were all waving to me from 30,000 feet up in the air as they flew above us and took the more leisurely route. We all arrived in Las Vegas at around the same time, not knowing as to what to expect regarding shelter, food, weather, thing's to do, and basketball. We were 8 of the best local Hawaii 14 year old basketball players traveling to a destination peculiar to what were accustomed to. We were in a world much different then our own.
The Honolulu King's basketball team was yellow and gold in color, and had players ranging from 6' 4" to me at the time- 5' 6". Our coach was an ex- basketball and football star, who ultimately went to Missouri and excelled as a top player at the University. In Hawaii we were dominant, killing our opponents with our height, but also out- speeding them with our quick little guards. Before our first game in Vegas, we had no idea as to what to expect, but we knew it wouldn't be the same level as in Hawaii. We knew we would be up against it.
Our opponent for the first game was a team called the Oklahoma Hawks, and they should have been named the Giants as I recall. Every one of their players was above 6' and there tallest guy was at least 6' 7". How were we supposed to compete with that? Well, in the first half we all had this same mind-set and we were quickly down 25 points by halftime. In the second half, our coach inspired us, and told us to just play basketball, and that's what we did. We were definitely not bigger, stronger, more athletic, or even better shooters, but in the second half we just played hard. In the end, they won by about 25, which means a team, which we know was better than us, we played them even in the second half and did not let them humiliate us. In general, we held our own.
That night we all went back to the mansion that we were staying in, confused and pondering as to whether every team in the tournament would be better than us. We were down regarding basketball, but we were a bunch of 14-year-old boys in one house with a pool. Fun just came to us. Throughout the whole trip, the times when we were not playing basketball games were memorable, and some of the best times I ever had. All we did was laugh and laugh, and became brothers with each other, but we knew that we didn't come all the way here from Hawaii- $1,500 later- just to make a few laughs. We came to play basketball.
The second game was against a team from Washington, and their size was similar to ours. In the first half we played like crap, and again we were down by halftime, but in the second half we came out firing, and ended up winning easily by about 20 points. We were just too quick for them, and just better basketball players. With the win we were now 1-1 heading to the game, which decided where were put in the playoffs.
The next team we played was from Arizona and were again about our size. The game was physical, and we both played out hearts out, but only one team can win. We both were tied going into the 4th and final quarter. We played it evenly and they hit one more shot than we did and ending up beating us by 1. Now we would have to play an extra game to get into the playoffs, while the loser would be out of the tournament.
After the last game we were all emotionally and physically drained. We had put it all out on the line just to come up short in the end. The fun continued outside of basketball, but we weren't getting the type of results that we were expecting or hoping for. Everyone says you can learn from losing, but you don't play the game to learn and definitely not to lose; you play to win. Nothing else matters. We were determined to make it to the championship game and from there on we began our quest.
Our elimination game was against a team from Texas' urban areas, and were quite small, but very quick. They were a very good basketball team, but out coach gave us the perfect style and strategy, which willed us to victory. We became one step closer to our goal.
Up next on our quest was a team from Utah, with good size, and some shooters. We played unbelievably well the first half, and it seemed like we were destined. At half time we were up at least 10, and very confident, but at halftime one of the refs notifies us that there is a leak form the AC vent above, and that it's a hazard to the game, because of the risk of injury. We had the momentum carrying from the first half, but with every drop of water, and every minute ticking away in waiting for it to be fixed, our momentum disappeared. The game finally began again, and the issue was resolved. The other team had brought there A game the second half and we were quickly down 3 with only 5 minutes remaining. This was very puzzling, because it seemed as if the clock on the scoreboard went by at the speed of light. The first half was like 45 minutes, and the second half had only lasted 15 minutes, before the time was stopped with 5 minutes remaining. We asked the scorekeeper and he said that since it was late at night and the game had already been delayed, that it be best that the time just run continuously without stopping the clock for out of bounds and etc. This was ridiculous! They just decided on something that neither coach agreed on, and by the final whistle of the game, it had bit us right in out okole. We ended up having not enough time to amount a come back, and we were sent packing from the tournament. It was an awful way to lose: to be cheated by a guy who thought it was too late, and wanted to get home.
Eight local kids, a coach, and parents put a lot of time, effort, and sacrifice to create a team that was competitive, and that we were. It was very emotional for us to be kicked out by a game that we had such little control over, but it's life and we had to move on from it. We did all the tourist stuff and packed up in remembrance of the good times.
The 2007 Honolulu King's are a team to remember; maybe not nationally for any recognition of winning a big time tournament or anything, but for what we accomplished. We took 8 kids from very different lives, and combined them to make one team. A team that will forever not be forgotten for our accomplishments and hard work. Our goal was to be competitive against the best teams in the country, and that we did winning two games. Our goal was to play basketball, and that we did with pride. Our goal was to win, and that we did; by experiencing something amazing and unforgettable with a new family: The 2007 Honolulu King's. A team that won not on the scoreboard but in the hearts of each person who was involved.