KAILUA-KONA — There are many lessons to be learned for teams thousands of miles from home at the World Youth Basketball Tournament in Kona. ADVERTISING KAILUA-KONA — There are many lessons to be learned for teams thousands of miles from
KAILUA-KONA — There are many lessons to be learned for teams thousands of miles from home at the World Youth Basketball Tournament in Kona.
Premier among those are how to handle the conditions that come with playing in paradise.
“We got some sunburns and have really learned about the value of hydration,” Grace Christian head coach Jason Boerger said with a laugh. “Coming here, I don’t think the kids knew what to expect.”
The temperature and competition have been heated inside of Kekuaokalani Gymnasium for the WYBT Invitational, which has been bringing mainland squads to West Hawaii for close to two decades.
The tourney attracts teams from near and far. Backyard squads, like the Big Island based Stingrays, get a chance to check out some mainland competition without getting on a plane, while teams like Boerger’s Grace Christian squad — which won the Alaska high school 3A state title last season — can use the Hawaii trip is a nice boost for team chemistry and morale.
“We were really looking for an experience that could help us grow as a team, so when we saw this tournament, we jumped at the opportunity,” Boerger said. “This trip is a major building block for our team chemistry. If we have that, it makes for smoother sailing during the season.”
A 74-67 double-overtime victory on the first day of the tournament — coupled with a trip to an active volcano and sharing some laughs learning to do the hula — will surely do the trick for the Grizzlies.
“This place is pretty special,” Boerger said. “What’s not to love?”
On the other end of that double-overtime loss was SaWUSA, which stands for Student athlete World USA. The “athlete” part of the acronym is noticeably lowercased for the program, which puts together teams made up of prospective college players to go to tournaments all over the world.
Many of the players aren’t just banking on athletics to get to the next level, but also academics to land a chance to play at an NCAA, NAIA or even junior college program.
“The core of our players are ones that are trying to find a home for a college where they’re a student first, athlete second,” said Tim Ryerson, the president and founder of SaWUSA, which also doubles as a college recruiting program to go with the tours.
Hawaii was a rare domestic stop for the group, which has been taking teams to play in various international tournaments since 2006. That being said, the Big Island is a pretty unique venture for the collection of mainland talent.
“Hawaii is, of course, part of America, but it is a very different culture out here. It’s an educational experience, for sure,” Ryerson said. “When we put the team together for this tour, we weren’t expecting to win a national championship. What we are trying to do is have them learn about people who come from different backgrounds and cultures, and hopefully using that to make the world a better, more tolerant place while picking up some basketball memories along the way.”
Tate Krankoskie is one of the players donning a USA jersey on the court. The incoming Shikellamy High School senior is two six-hour flights from his home in Pennsylvania, but he isn’t feeling even a bit home sick in the Aloha state.
“It’s amazing. I love it so far,” Krankoskie said. “It’s been a great way to see how other guys play and adapting to learn how to play with people who have different skill sets.”
With plenty of down time between games, what’s at the top of his to-do list while in Hawaii?
“Snorkeling. That’s what I’m most excited for,” Krankoskie said.
The tournament continues until Sunday. The winter edition of the WYBT runs from Dec. 18-22 and Dec. 27-30.
