Comments on: Stingrays place 5th, Wazzu offers Molina sisters

By: PPC

PPC — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 19:36:08 +0000

Left Field,

I believe the following girls may be looking at offers. Stingrays-Celina, Ihi, and Cherilyn. 808-Keala, Tyra, Vae. Kalakaua-Kamaile. There are a lot of underclassmen from all these clubs that may be getting some looks too but we we will know for sure next year. BTW Remember what I said about the Cal Stars Nike Elite playing and winning the EOT open and all-star divisions. Well they are the 2015 Nike Nationals Champions. They won their last 3 games including the championship by an average of 30 points in South Carolina yesterday. These girls are for real! 3 girls on that team played in Hawaii last year in the Iolani Girls Classic. They are Sabrina Ionescu (Miramonte), Kat Tudor (St. Marys) and Aquira Decosta (St. Marys). Ionescu is the top rated guard in her class of 2016 and Decosta is the #1 player in her class of 2018.

By: Left Field

Left Field — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 20:58:00 +0000

PPC, wouldn’t that be a fun idea, having some of these clubs play for the one invite. Whatever the outcome, I would still think that more of the local players would be better served playing in front of the coaches at the EOT or MSNM. Aside from the Stingrays, I heard that 808 had a pretty successful summer as did Kalakaua.
Around the state (Maui, BI too), there are tons of talent that would probably contribute at the small D1, D2, D3, NAIA or JUCO levels. Any word if any other players are getting looked at or offered?

By: PPC

PPC — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 18:30:45 +0000

Nike Fan, I don’t know who Steve Kozaki but you are right the Islanderz did not play in this tournament. I was trying look up the qualifications of who gets invited but as you said the Storm was the only Hawaii team invited based possibly based on their affiliation with the Cal Storm club. Looking at the list I saw some of the teams from the EOT like the ECBA Swish Black and Oregon Elite Navy. Do you know what qualifies a team or what criteria they must meet to be invited? It would be great to watch the Hawaii girls basketball clubs go at it if Hawaii is only given 1 slot. The clubs being the Storm, Stingrays, 808, and Kalakaua.

By: Nike Fan in Hawaii

Nike Fan in Hawaii — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 00:12:59 +0000

PPC, please correct me if I am wrong, but doesn’t Steve Kozaki run these tournaments for Nike? After talking to him several weeks ago, he told me the only invite to a Hawaii Based team was to the Hawaii Storm that is an affiliate of the California Storm. He did not invite Kalakaua, 808, or the Stingrays. And based on the information below, the Islanders didn’t play either.

Here is a list of the teams who played: http://www.niketournamentofchampions.com/events/participating.cfm?id=63

By: PPC(Parent,Player,Coach)

PPC(Parent,Player,Coach) — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 17:53:23 +0000

Just to set the record straight for everyone. The Nike Nationals is not in Chicago, The Nike Nationals is in South Carolina. The Nike National Invitational is in Chicago. The difference being the The Nike Nationals is for the best of the best Elite club basketball teams in the USA. Teams such as Kentucky Premier, Cal Stars Elite, Etc. The Nike National Invitational is where the Cal Storm Hawaii team played as well as the Islanderz. Kalakaua, 808, and Stingrays could have played there but chose not to. Like Left field said playing there will not benefit our girls unless they are elite level players or prospects that could go to UCONN, Louisville, and Notre Dame etc. The west coast better suits our girls eventually someday one of our girls will make it there but for now playing in the EOT and MSNM is better for them. Most of our girls play on the west coast and it is easier for family and friends to come and see them. Just FYI the Cal Stars Nike Elite who are one of the top clubs in the USA ranking between #1 thru #5 in the 3 sports publications. So again the Nike National Invitational is in Chicago and the Nike Nationals is in South Carolina this week July 28-30.

By: Left Field

Left Field — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 05:49:36 +0000

The Nike Nationals is, no doubt, a premier tournament. I believe there to be little debate as to the quality of teams that are at that tournament and the level of college coaches that are there.

Unfortunately, there are only a small handful of Hawaii players who would benefit from investing the money to travel to Chicago. Of the thousands of girls in high school basketball in Hawaii, how many are top 25 talent? For them, playing in front of top 25 coaches, whether head coaches or assistants, is a moot point. Many would be better served playing at the EOT or MSNM and in front of a division 2, 3 or NAIA team that they would better fit with and given the opportunity to continue their education.

Bottom line, I would love for my daughter to play for a coach who will take her to a tournament to play in front of the most elite of coaches in the country. But, if she is a TOP division TWO prospect, where would my money be better spent?

By: National Coach

National Coach — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 04:15:21 +0000

I am sorry to say, while respected, it not held in the same regard as the Nike Nationals in Chicago. Chicago is the top spot. Only certain teams are invited. All the Top 25 coaches attend the Nike’s in Chicago. While these same top 25 colleges may send some assistants to Oregon & Seattle, most head coaches from prominent Top 25 D1 colleges go to Chicago. This has nothing to do with finances. It has to do with invites. You cannot just attend because you feel like challenging yourself.

By: bballfan

bballfan — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:22:01 +0000

808fan here something more for you to read, Enjoy the article:

http://washington.247sports.com/Article/5-Star-Wazzu-PG-Commit-Chanelle-Molina-Ready-to-be-a-Coug–38321069

By: 808fan

808fan — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 08:45:09 +0000

bballfan, I think your mom needs to use the computer now. Please get off it, it’s bed time.

By: bballfan

bballfan — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 07:21:05 +0000

808Fan haha!!! You just described yourself as being ignorant, uninformed & a fool. I feel sorry for you on really believing what you write & having to justify yourself. Congratulations to those that got offers & PEACE be with you, lol..