LIHU‘E — Eleven basketball teams in the 13 and Under division will take to the floor starting tonight at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center. On Saturday, many of these players particiapted in a free basketball clinic hosted by the county Department
LIHU‘E — Eleven basketball teams in the 13 and Under division will take to the floor starting tonight at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
On Saturday, many of these players particiapted in a free basketball clinic hosted by the county Department of Parks and Recreation. Some 50 young players attended.
The clinic was led by former University of Hawai‘i at Hilo basketball coach and Vulcan Hall of Famer Jimmy Yagi, who was joined by Bill O’Rear, sports editor of the Hawai‘i Tribune Herald and NAIA All-American basketball player.
“Basketball is more than a game,” Yagi said. “It can teach you about life — winning, losing and how to succeed.”
Clyde Vito of the Department of Parks and Recreation said Yagi has been leading the clinic for the past 18 years and players get the benefit of his expertise because of the sponsorship of both the county and Hawaiian Airlines.
The clinic was geared to coincide with the start of the county’s 13 and Under basketball league which has seven boys teams and four girls teams.
“We’re currently accepting registration for the 11 and Under program which should start in February,” Vito said.
During the clinic, the pair, visiting from the Big Island, spent the greater part of the day dealing with fundamentals of the game. This included ball handling drills, passing, and team building concepts in addition to stretching and warmups.
Yagi said if players concentrate on what was presented, it will make them a better basketball player, but more importantly, how to play the game for a long time.
Yagi, who will celebrate his 75th birthday this year, continues to be active in basketball, said O’Rear.
“He gets up in the morning, takes a morning swim and reviews basketball games,” O’Rear said. “At least once a week, he’s on a team playing pick-up games, too.”
In addition to the session geared for young players ages 9 through 13, he and the coach also hosted a session for players in high school, ages 14 to 18 as well as a talk-story session for coaches.
Four of the 11 teams in the 13 and Under division will take to the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center starting at 6 this evening.
Ho‘ouila will open against the PBC-Grey followed by the Kaua‘i Ballers taking on the Wailua Boyz starting at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Hanakila opens against Westside starting at 10 a.m. followed by PBC-Grey matching up against PBC-Blue starting at 11 a.m.
Vito said the boys will play Monday and Saturday and the girls play on Thursdays.
This week, the Angels go up against the Kamikaze starting at 6 p.m. followed by Kaulupono taking on Westside starting at 7 p.m.
Most of the games are played at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, although games scheduled for Jan. 23 and Jan. 30 will be at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
