Shanghai is more than a few thousand miles from Maryknoll School.
It’s a whole different world, really, which is part of the reason why the Spartans are there. Coach Kelly Grant’s basketball squad opened its tour of the massive city with a 74-64 win over Nanyang Model High School on Tuesday night.
Nanyang is the No. 5 ranked team in China. The game was aired on Maryknoll’s Facebook page using the Facebook Live feature. The contest tipped off at 10 p.m. Hawaii time.
Niko Robben led Maryknoll, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion, with 20 points, including three treys. Marcus Tobin tallied 15 points and eight rebounds, and Kalai Akaka also scored 15 points. Noah Furtado splashed two 3-pointers.
The game, like the cultural shift coming to China from the U.S., took time to adjust to.
“We shot the ball extremely well. We had some difficulties adjust to the international rules, like when to call time outs,” Grant texted. “Backcourt violations and the biggest one, setting screens.”
The voyage is much more than basketball and competition. Maryknoll has a Common Goal Diplomacy Program that emphasizes one-on-one interactions. Nanyang is providing host families for Maryknoll’s student-athletes and the teams are also sharing practice time together.
Maryknoll will play two more games on its tour this week.
Isn’t it a blackout period for ILH basketball?
^^^ LOL … Maryknoll basketball trying to get around the rules? Can’t be! Not Maryknoll! They don’t recruit or do anything against the rules.
Giggles.
From my understanding this is a blackout violation, but perhaps if your out of the country and on a goodwill cultural exchange it’s all good.
ILH, that’s what I was thinking. Investigate or sweep?
I believe the Spartans for an ILH Approved Waiver since this is taking place internationally. I have no problem with this. I say remove the blackout period so all kids can keep working to improve.
Come on guys. It’s a once in a lifetime exp for the kids. Isn’t that what it’s all about? @ ILH coach if you had a chance to take your players overseas wouldn’t you? Promoting Hawaii basketball at an international level is cool. We have a hard enough time getting noticed by coaches in the mainland. I think its a step fwd for Hawaii basketball. We have to support one another for the benefit of our children. I’m sure they covered all the bases as well.
Oldschool, that’s what summer is for. Travel all you like in the summer when there’s no black out period.
REALLY Blackout period who gives damn dome you guys don’t really have a life its a lifetime experience for these young students.
@ILH Coach please get a life
I agree, remove the blackout period! Our Hawai’i coaches need to be more involved like Coach Grant. Keep ballin’ Coach!
Blackout period, “what is blackout period?”
No one cares about Blackout periods except the ILH
1. No blackout periods
2. Let the kids play year round in any sports as well as coaches coach year round
3. Kids improving their skills to get a college scholarship
4. Kids get college scholarship so parents don’t have to pay tuition
5. Parents don’t have to pay tuition=parents afford to continue to live in Hawaii
@roughrider. I agree and then we’ll see which coaches are truly dedicated. Congratulations Maryknoll.
How can Kahuku get away with ANOTHER basketball player from New Zealand going home after the basketball season?? No need ask anyone, these guys tell on themselves…..
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