And sprinkle in a Little Knights Magic...
 

Once upon a time, there were two twin boys who lived in the Land of Asian Basketball.

They were tall and strong and played at the highest level they could and sometimes even played up in age group against older players.

No matter the competition, they excelled.

They were called the TWIN TOWERS and life was good in their little world.

At the same time, in the little town of San Pedro; strange things were beginning to happen. A small, but determined group of Asians found their way to the gym at Dana and boldly entered the Kingdom of the Knight.

At that time, they were simply known as THE REFUGEES from G-TOWN.

A sad and tattered group, they came to this land hoping to find "something" more for their boys to help them in their QUEST TO BE TESTED.

Today, the survivors of that prison break to the free world are known as our own Tairas, Itos, and Bugarins; all now proud bearers of shields proclaiming their Knighthood and membership in the fraternity who's members seek to play high school varsity basketball without being 7 feet tall.

As they were embraced by our KNIGHTS ROUND TABLE of FELLOWSHIP, the fearsome Coach Bob and the even more fearsome and renown Dan Dan one night stealthily ventured across the border into the Land of Asian Basketball to mix and mingle with our soon to be Knights at one of their Asian tournaments. Asians, by the way, mix and mingle, Knights CLUMP; which Cindy is now becoming an expert at with her clumping assistants, Debbie, Noreen, and Karen. Any group who starts talking on the phone at 9:00 pm at home to begin their daily gossip session and ends up clumping for dinner unexpectedly an hour later are really WORLD CLASS KNIGHTS CLUMPERS!

ANYWAY...

As Coach Bob already was well camouflaged for this excursion into Asian Land, he was able to blend in easily. The fearsome Dan Dan had a more difficult time, but since he was born and raised in G-TOWN, he soon was feeling well at home. He got a pass to get into the gym by being a sincere wannabe. He also knew where Gardena Bowl was.

It was then and there that the Legend of the Twin Towers first surfaced.

Peering onto the court, Coach Bob got his first look at the MIGHTY ONES who came in a pair.

Expecting Double Shaq's, he soon discovered that the mighty TWIN TOWERS were simply two average sized guards masquerading as centers in the game before him.

THEN, it happened!

From behind me, and to my complete and utter surprise; I heard a phrase I couldn't believe..."Hi Bobby."

Looking back, I saw the sweet, smiling, and "everybody's favorite person" of Cindy Kojaku. Seeing Cindy, I knew my old compadre Brad could not be far behind.

Once I heard the familiar, "I could care less...", I knew I was among friends.

After the "oh my goodnesses" and the "I can't believe its" were exchanged, they both asked me what in the world was the infamous terror of the knight doing in a place where all the kids and parents were so nice?

I replied that I came to support our newest Knights and to get a look at the renown TWIN TOWERS.

Surprise, surprise, surprise!

The TWIN TOWERS were both named KOJAKU.

Brandon and Cameron were both KNIGHTS from birth, they just didn't know it.

All they needed was a road map to San Pedro and a mother who could remember to put gas in the car.

Now no one knew it then, and few know it now; but Brad Kojaku was with me during the high school years helping to coordinate and advise on the now famous 1-3-1 attacking zone press that helped win so many titles and games.

You wouldn't know it now, but Brad could really coach back then and, come to think of it, he doesn't do a bad job now as the coach of our Boys 6th Gold.

In fact, he is getting down right famous with his two consecutive victories over AVAC.

Well, it took some doing, but I convinced them to bring the boys back home to the Land of the Knight and to begin to prepare them for high school.

Everything was fine until Sweetie Pie Cindy, in her usual lost way with her even more usual lost look; explained why she didn't think the boys could play high school varsity basketball. It was because they were going to go to a BIG high school.

Since Cindy lives in a sugar plum fairy world anyway, the infamous Black Knight (me) did what I usually do when she speaks her mind...let it go into one ear and out the other without any stops in between.

I very much appreciate that they brought the TWIN TOWERS to the Knights for me. For that, I can put up with anything, even CINDYLOGIC.

Not only did I get my very close and dear friends to come here; but I got two "good getting better on the way to great" players, and a great friend and coach to coach our Boys 6th Gold, and a sweetie pie team coordinator who doesn't need sugar to sweeten lemonade made with sour lemons.

All this gibberish is brought up because recently, the dreaded MIDDLE SCHOOL TRYOUTS were held at Stanford Middle School in Long Beach.

Both Brandon and Cameron (as mere 6th graders) tried out for the Stanford 8th grade team. No more TWIN TOWERS now.

Now they were just those average sized boys trying to make the team with REAL towers out there.

If Cindy was right, this would be a short tryout, as this was OPEN tryouts with 14 year olds and everything! Stanford is a BIG school.

Thank goodness Cindy is only right once in every blue moon and, last I looked; the moon isn't blue!

Cameron and Brandon bravely brought their Knights skills where mere 6th graders shouldn't be allowed.

As the cuts began, Cameron and Brandon found that they weren't being excused. The coach kept liking them.

Come back tomorrow. Come back tomorrow. COME BACK TOMORROW!

Three cuts they made it through!

Then, Brandon finally missed a cut and was excused.

No shame. Great for you Brandon! A 6th grader making three cuts!

I am very proud of you.

Cameron was still in there, though, and brother rooted for brother and coach rooted for player.

This story ends with Cameron lasting all the way to the LAST CUT for the 8TH GRADE TEAM.

The coach, the staff, the PLAYERS couldn't believe that he was only 11 years old and that both he AND Brandon were only 6th graders.

Even though he was cut, the coach asked Cameron to continue to practice with the 8th grade team.

Next year, he will be a standout as a 7th grader and will be joined by his bro, Brandon on their middle school "varsity".

Just think, 7TH GRADERS on an 8th grade team and probable starters and stars!

It is not a stretch of the imagination to see (except for Cindy) that her boys will be able to play high school varsity basketball. Stanford Middle School feeds into LB POLY High School, a perennial high school power, and her boys, by the time they are 8th GRADERS; should be two of the better players in the Long Beach area and therefore, highly recruitable by LB Poly.

All of the Knights, me included, are VERY PROUD of BOTH of our TWIN TOWERS who just happen to be ball handling guards for the Knights.

They are the very epitome of what we try to do here.

They are the MUTTS who have worked for their pedigree.

Just like all of our Knights.

Hard work cancels out any diminished physical stature.

FOR THE KNIGHTS, ANYONE CAN PLAY HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL! BELIEVE IT!

I have no doubts that both Cameron and Brandon are going to continue the proud tradition of the Knights in high school as great varsity ball players.

As for the other members of the class of REFUGEES; I expect the same from Andrew, Troy, and Austin.

I expect the same from all of our players who put on their Knights uniform.

They do us all proud every time they step onto the court.

Go Knights! I love each and every one of you for all that you put up with (from me) to get better and to follow your dream.

Now let's get some SPAM MUSUBI RICE and celebrate!

Uh, Dan. Exactly where is Gardena Bowl?