Bob Zellmer found most of his basketball players shooting hoops during lunch time at Laupahoehoe, where the coach’s enthusiasm steamrolls every obstacle.
Last season in the BIIF, the Seasiders finished with a 1-11 record, defeating Ka’u in their first game. They have just one returning starter back.
No other team in the league is as inexperienced, and that includes the girls. Pickup basketball at lunch doesn’t really count as experience.
The Seasider science teacher and second-year coach looks at the bright side.
“We’ve nowhere to go but up,” he said.
In 2014, the Seasiders didn’t field a team. They went winless from 2009 to ’13.
In 2008, Laupahoehoe went 1-13, beating Parker for its only victory. (That was the last year the Bulls played BIIF basketball.)
Recent history would indicate that the Seasiders won’t change into the Chicago Cubs, non-factors suddenly turned into big winners.
But who said success is determined by won-loss records?
Zellmer is using the vehicle of hoops as the ultimate life lesson model: work hard, help others, and pick yourself up when you fall and work harder.
“We want the boys to learn to work hard in school and athletics and be part of a team,” said Zellmer, who is assisted by Nolan Flemming. “Mostly it’s about character development. If we play a game and lose by 30 points, that’s a lesson we can learn from. They can work hard to try and get better, same as life.”
In the school’s gym, there are banners from the BIIF championship seasons in 1966 and 1970 and Division A state titles both years.
If the Cubs can have a small measure of success, then maybe the Seasiders can follow suit.
Kadan Stamm, a 5-foot-11 forward, is the team’s only senior. He’s the captain on a ship where guys need to learn to row in the same direction, and pass the ball only to those in the royal blue and gold Seasider uniforms.
“Kadan played for two years and it shows,” Zellmer said. “He lived in Washington but mostly his basketball experience is here on the island. He’s our sole senior and his role is to help his teammates get better.”
Stamm is a husky guy. He’s built for rebounding and providing a post presence. He can also dribble for a big, and displays a nice mid-range shooting touch.
Roman Kozinsky is one of four freshmen on the team’s nine-man roster. He’s the point guard and has a promising future if he can shake one bad habit.
“He dribbles with his head down, but he’s got a lot of quickness and he’s learning the game,” said Zellmer, who highlighted his work ethic. “He’s working to earn money like cutting grass. He’s going to school and working and I’m expecting good things with his game.”
Royce Baun is an example the Laupahoehoe coach can point to as far as hitting the books.
“He’s a straight ‘A’ student,” Zellmer said. “He’ll do whatever you ask on the court.”
Tyrus Aspili-Nactor is a sophomore and someone who has benefited from basketball.
Again, Zellmer counts production in different ways.
“He’s another guy playing basketball in his first year,” Zellmer said. “He’s transformed himself with his best year in the classroom. He’s getting good grades.”
Aaron Steffen is a junior forward. He’s a lanky guy with a ponytail. He’s a wrestler and into martial arts.
He fits the profile of someone who could rebound, a helpful asset because other than Stamm most of the Seasiders are not very tall.
Rayson Domingo is another freshman guard with quickness and no experience.
“He’s never played organized basketball,” Zellmer said. “He’s a quick, little guy. Once he figures things out, he’ll be a nice player.”
Austin Parel is a junior and a lunch break discovery. Jolim Navalta and Austin Gonsalves are the other two freshmen.
“Jolim loves basketball,” Zellmer said. “He tries to put in a big effort. He does shoot a nice 3-ball.”
There will be BIIF games when the Seasiders lose big. If they get down, they can always remember the words of coach Zellmer or another guy to pick themselves back up.
“The losses can be tough on any player. But we ask the team, ‘Why are we out here?’ To get better,” Zellmer said. “And we like competition. Will we get better? Yes. If you work hard, good things will happen.”
Some guy once said: “Most people say that it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: It is character.”
Basketball player and scientist, Zellmer and Albert Einstein were talking about the same thing.
