On August 30th, 2025, Campbell JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) claimed victory in the JROTC basketball tournament at Punahou High School, a win that showed both athletic ability and the powerful support of cadets.
The basketball meet was against all JROTC programs on the island. The competition not only allowed the team a championship title but also raised morale across the entire battalion, setting the stage for their next challenge; the volleyball tournament on October 18.
The highlight of the night came in the final seconds. With the score tied and only ten seconds on the clock, center King McGee(12) made the buzzer beater winning shot. Teammates and cadets erupted in celebration, even playing the song Ewa Beach Round 2. McGee offered his play-by-play of the winning shot: “I turned around because I thought the ball went out of bounce, but then I turned around to see Malachi (Lito), he was holding the ball up to pass it to me. He passes it. I step back, jump and just throw it up with 10 seconds left on the clock, making it in.”
McGee wasn’t the only standout. Lito (9) controlled the tempo, played defense and scored over 20 points throughout the tournament. Alfred Tuiasopo (10) blocked opposing shooters, keeping the other teams from having a chance of winning. Each contribution, though different, led the team to victory.
McGee later credited the crowd’s encouragement for pushing him through the moment. He said, “Having the support was definitely a motivation for me, and I guess you could say we played harder because of it.”
McGee is not the only one who thinks this way, battalion First Lieutenant Angel Ford (11) expresses the importance of support and teamwork to push the players to their limits and farther “Every time we cheered, it gave the players more motivation to push harder and not give up. If we keep the support consistent, it will keep pushing our teams to perform at their best and feel their best, bringing home more victories.” She also highlighted that maintaining this positive environment is key to sustaining long-term success and growth for the team.
The victory was about more than basketball. The cheers and encouragement from cadets gave them the drive to play harder. The result wasn’t just a trophy but a boost of confidence for future events. The next sports game is October 18th and they hope to bring home the trophy. For the platoon, this win was not the end, but the beginning of a season defined by honor, courage and commitment.
