Free Youth Basketball Clinic Saturday at King K

By Rodney S. Yap

Interested youth basketball players are being asked to bring a positive attitude, ball and lunch when they attend Saturday’s, Nov. 20, free Charlie Iwata Jr. Memorial Basketball Clinic at the King Kekaulike Gym.

The clinic, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., is open for all boys and girls 5th grade and older.

Coach Fred Crowell of NBC Camps. Photo courtesy of NBC Camps.com.

“My whole life I’ve been raised by some great coaches and a few have been more than just coaches in my life, so hosting this clinic to give back to the youth wasn’t something huge for me,” said King Kekaulike senior guard Chase Iwata-Bartelme, the Maui Interscholastic League’s returning Player of the Year.

King Kekaulike’s Chase Iwata-Bartelme during an early preseason-tournament last year. File photo by Rodney S. Yap.

“It’s always been something that I’ve wanted to do, even after going to college or whatever I plan to do later in life, I know I will always be around the game of basketball, so I figured why not bring a few of the coahces who have been such an important part of my life and give a little back to the youth so that these coaches can be a part of their lives too.”

The honorary coaches include current King Kekaulike head coach Bill Naylor, Jonathan Furtado from Upcountry Elite, Fred Crowell from NBC Camps, and Ben Pragnell of Basketball Maui.

“Those are all the coaches who have influenced his life on and off the court,” said Wayne Bartelme, Chase’s dad.

The free basketball camp, which is part of Chase Iwata-Bartelme’s senior project, is in memory of Charlie Iwata Jr. who “was like a second father to Chase,” Wayne said.

Besides being chosen the 2013 MIL Player of the Year by The Maui News, Iwata-Bartelme was also an ALL-USA Hawaii honorable-mention selection by USA Today.

According to Wayne Bartelme, his 6-foot, 2-inch son is being actively recruited by more than a half dozen NAIA schools, but remains unsigned and uncommitted.