Free-throw-a-thon

Riki’s Redondo Union High School team is moving quickly through their Spring conditioning program which includes running or weightlifting interspersed with basketball practices five days a week.  They are also still playing in the Beverly Hills High School Spring League.  Riki has a game this Saturday at 4 p.m. vs. Balboa Hills.

 

Riki has been doing well, scoring 12 points against a Bakersfield team two weeks ago, and almost holding her own against an all-CIF guard from Inglewood three weeks ago.  Her coach has asked her to be more aggressive offensively, in particular, looking for more 3-point opportunities.  Redondo, as a team, is also doing better, losing to Inglewood by 3 points (a team that beat Redondo during the season by over 40 points).  Of course, it’s just Spring League!

 

For those of you who would like to support Riki financially, the girls are holding a Free-throw-a-thon next week.  Proceeds will go towards their travel account for Oregon and San Diego.

 

The girls will shoot 100 free throws (not in the same set/day) and supporters can pay a pledge based on free throws made (i.e. 50 free throws made at 10 cents per FT will be $5.00).  For point of reference, Riki made 63 of 74 free throw attempts (84%) from January through March of this season.  Although she has been off recently (probably because of weightlifting), she should still make at least 70.  Let me know if you’d like to make a pledge and I’ll tell you after the event about the details of paying your pledge.

 

Thanks for all of your support!

Riki Update - 4/13/2009

Riki’s “off-season” kicks off this week with Redondo playing in a VERY competitive US Junior National tournament in Orange County.  The “California Classic” will feature top club teams from California, Oregon, and Arizona.  Redondo appears to be the only high school team playing in the tournament.  Most of Riki’s former SGV teammates are playing in this tournament as the Swoosh Salesian team under her former coach Yas Oda.

 

Redondo got a tough draw for its first game, Friday 4/17 at 6 p.m. at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa.  They play one of the top teams in the country, Cal Swish 17 Black.  It won’t be pretty.  But on the positive side, they will be playing before a lot of scouts as this is an NCAA-certified viewing tournament and many college scouts will probably be on hand to watch Swish Black.

 

The rest of Riki’s schedule is as follows (all pool play):

 

Saturday, 9 a.m. vs. Cal Swoosh 17 Gold at University High School (Irvine), court 2

Saturday, 2 p.m. vs Santa Monica Surf 17 at University High School, court 2

Sunday, 11:45 a.m. vs. Los Angeles Pressure 17 at University High School, court 2

 

I have attached a copy of the tournament schedule for those interested in other teams.

 

Redondo will resume play in the Beverly Hills Spring League on Saturday, April 25 at 2 p.m. vs Venice.  The rest of their schedule:  May 2 at noon vs. Westchester, May 16 at 4 p.m. vs. Buckley; and May 30 at 12 noon vs. Westchester.  Note: Redondo has two squads playing in the Spring league and Riki may play more than one game if needed.  The games listed above are for the squad Riki is assigned to.

 

Thank you for your continued support!

Taxes Eating You Up? Join Me for Dinner on Tuesday

Need a break from the IRS?  Join me for dinner at Ruby’s Diner at the Redondo Marina on Tuesday, April 14^th from 5-9 p.m.  I plan to be there between 6:30 and 8:30.

 

Bring in the attached flier and my daughter’s Redondo Union’s Girls Basketball team will earn 20% of your bill.  The flier is good on take-out orders and purchases of gift cards, too!

 

Thank you for your support!

 

- Jeff Murakami (213.200.8277)