Two clutch three-point goals by senior guard Jaden Patsel in Saturday's final boosted Kadena to its third straight title and eighth in the event's 19-year history. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa – Jaden Patsel wasn’t even planning on playing.
But the Kadena senior guard pretty much trumpeted his return from a severe knee injury suffered last January, helping the Panthers pull away and capture their third straight Okinawa-American Friendship Tournament title and eighth total in the event’s 19-year history.
“I’m back. And it feels great,” said Patsel, who scored 11 points, none more huge than two threes with less than four minutes left. He helped lead Kadena to a 49-37 victory in Saturday’s tournament final against the U-18 Kings.
“I wasn’t even supposed to play,” Patsel said. “But I feel blessed for the opportunity. I just wanted to do my best for the team. And get that three-peat.”
The game was a see-saw affair, featuring three ties and eight lead changes until Patsel dusted off his long-distance shooting flair, scoring twice from deep to put the Panthers ahead 41-32 with 3:16 left.
It was a championship game in a tournament held earlier than it’s ever been.
And it was also played outside its customary Saturday-Sunday day slot, staged on Friday and Saturday because of a scheduled power outage Sunday at Camp Foster.
For the rest of the DODEA-Okinawa teams, the tournament was a rough go. Kubasaki’s boys got erased in the quarterfinals, while the Panthers and Dragons girls finished fourth and fifth in a five-team field.
Still, for some, there were still some takeaways that could benefit them down the road.
“Getting game reps against high pressure,” Panthers girls coach Ed Manalac said, citing eventual girls tournament champion Chinen, one of Okinawa’s top four girls high school teams.
“It’s frustrating to lose, but it gives us some tough lessons for what to build on. Hopefully, by February, those lessons will come to fruition,” Manalac said, alluding to the Panthers defending their Far East Division I Tournament title eight weeks from now.
Kadena's Jasen Nii pulls up and looks to pass against U-18 Kings. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Kadena's Alex Hye dribbles against a U-18 Kings defender. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Kadena's Isamar Toro-Velasquez drives past Kubasaki defenders Jayla Jefferson and Brooklynn Hinsley. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Kadena's Jazlene Vergara drives against Kubasaki's Aiyanna Castillo and Kaylani Desenganio. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
