MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- January 11, 2013, was one of the most anticipated nights of the entire high school basketball season. The Nile C. Kinnick High School Red Devils endured a thirteen hour bus ride from Yokosuka Naval base to play the Matthew C. Perry High School Samurai basketball team.
Although Kinnick high school is a Division 1 school with almost 700 students, nearly triple the umber of Perry’s 250 students, the Samurai were not deterred by Kinnick’s pool of students, talent and overall selection in athletes.
Those statistics clearly weren’t a threat for the Perry boys. Although the starters for the Devils visibly beat the Samurai in height and muscle, the Samurai stole the game from the very beginning. Perry led the first quarter 14 – 10, and the points only multiplied from there. The Samurai held a continuous lead of almost 20 points, ending the game with a score of 55-40.
Perry starting players and brothers Jon and Sam Cadavos directed the court, as well as the score board. Sam and Jon both received the honorable title “All Far East” last basketball season and they continued to show that same leadership Friday night. Jon led the board with 27 points and Sam followed close behind with 15.
The game was certainly a victory in the coaches’ eyes.
“We wanted to prove to our community that although we’re a small school, we can compete against Division 1 schools, and we definitely did that,” said Dewayne Pigge, Samurai basketball coach.
The game proved to be exciting as every inch of the bleachers was filled by exuberant onlookers.
“Having that many people cheering you on motivates you to just try that much harder,” said Toshiki Primus, Samurai basketball starter and senior.“Winning felt so good, I’ve never experienced having a full crowd cheering after a win.”
However, the win was much more significant than an “exciting game” to some.
“We are a pretty good team because we’re the smallest school in the Pacific and we beat a school that has around 700 kids, and that’s a big deal,” said Jon Cadavos. “I think that when schools come and play us, they won’t take us lightly anymore.
They’ll show us respect because we earned it.”
Team captain and junior DQ Bernard said that although his expectations have always been high, he expects his Samurai to push even farther.
“I hope for our team to be more fearless,” said Bernard. “Some of the boys play basketball against the Marines on their spare time to better their game. As captain, I would want my whole team to play with men in order to help them improve.”
Jon Cadavos also explained that he feels his team is on the right track for the Far East Tournament at Camp Zama, Japan, February 22, 2013.
“I feel that we can go far in the tournaments that we’re going to participate in,” said Jon. “We have really good chemistry for a first year team together and we’re also close off the court.”
As for the rest of the season, the boys said they are especially looking forward to the Far East Tournament at Camp Zama.
“I hope for the team to bring the banner home,” said Pigge.“It’s been 16 years for Perry boys’ basketball. With the boys I have, at least four of them have been playing together for two to three years. It’s important to bring the banner home and we have just the right team to do it.”
The last home games for the Samurai basketball teams are Feb. 1 and 2.