[ HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL ]
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Thompson Academy's Isaac Scharsch looked to pass around Mid-Pacific's Josh Mitchell last night. It was Thompson's first game.
MPI cuts down
the ’NetsThompson Academy's home-schoolers
and Internet students have
a rough hoops debut
Basketball players don't usually smile after losing 72-16, but that blowout score didn't seem to bother the Myron B. Thompson Academy basketball team last night.
CORRECTION
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003>> A photo of Thompson Academy basketball player Lance Chang appeared on Page B3 yesterday. He was misidentified as Jordan Tani in a caption.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com.The Sharks, playing in their first interscholastic basketball game against established Mid-Pacific, thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
"We got it handed to us," said freshman guard Keo Evans-Gonda, who tossed in nine points. "We had fun and we've improved (since the first practice Nov. 17). It was the first time in this kind of competition for many of the players."
Seven of 10 players on the Thompson Academy roster were available for the game, and most were huffing and puffing with red faces dripping with sweat.
More than half of the downtown Honolulu school's 600-plus students do their work over the Internet and the others are home-schooled.
"They're playing for the first time and that's why we scheduled them," Mid-Pacific coach Bill Wheeler said. "We wanted to welcome them to interscholastic basketball. We wish them luck and I hope they all keep their heads up."
The Sharks play again tonight (against the loser of last night's Punahou vs. Hawaii Prep game) in the Owls' preseason tournament. They open their inaugural regular season Jan. 2 at McKinley.
"Defense is the key to this game and our defense needs a lot more work," Thompson Academy coach Andrew Aki said. "We also need a lot of work moving the ball around on offense."
Aki's calm demeanor was a plus for his hustling squad. He didn't get on the players, offering suggestions without yelling.
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Thompson Academy coach Andrew Aki and his team debuted for the first time last night at Mid-Pacific Institute.
"Playing varsity basketball, it's a lot harder than I thought," said scrappy junior forward Justin Chang, who pulled down some tough rebounds for the Sharks. "We actually did pretty good. We've got to play tougher on defense and we gotta run more to get open. I think we can do better."
Justin's older brother, stocky senior center Lance Chang, is one of the team leaders and a force inside.
"He plays with heart and wants it more than anyone," Evans-Gonda said. "He knows how to pump himself up and he tries to get us pumped up."
Lance Chang showed his intensity with just over 2 minutes left. While dribbling up court, he let out a war whoop despite the lopsided score.
"Sometimes (Lance) gets so worked up that other people don't know what to think about him," Evans-Gonda said. "But he doesn't care about that at all."
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Thompson Academy's Jordan Tani drove to the basket during last night's game against Mid-Pacific Institute at the MPI gym.
Four freshmen -- Aja Muncie, John Abrams, Devin Eror and Isaac Scharsch -- also played for the Sharks last night. Three players -- seniors Trent Richardson and Joshua Musick and freshman Nathan Soosenuu -- were not in uniform.
"We definitely need to improve on the post," Lance Chang said. "That includes me. I've got to power myself up and take those inside shots and take the fouls. We didn't really box out and fight for rebounds inside. We also need to work on our plays when we're under pressure.
"We tried our best, though, and that's what counts."
Aki remained optimistic, too.
"They're used to running wild, but played more as a team in the game," he said. "They're learning real quick. They listen. When I tell them to do something, they actually do it.
"They learned that practice is way different than a game."
Burton Woodhull led Mid-Pacific with 21 points.
With six freshmen on a 10-man roster, the Sharks are likely to take their lumps when the OIA season starts. The trick is to see how much they can improve from last night's square one.
"We're young, but we're going to get better," said Evans-Gonda, who played youth basketball in California.
Lance Chang called the loss "an educational experience."
That's a good thing, according to Aki, who said, "The reason why they're in school is for an education. Basketball is an afterschool thing."
