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WNJB league board members (back, from left) Cy Phillip, Carl Maybin, John Scholfield and Gary Tanouye, and players (front) Kenna and Kelsey Tanouye. (Missing board member: Mike Chu). Photo by Byron Lee, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Timing may play a big role in the success of the Windward National Junior Basketball League, but long-time coach Gary Tanouye also gives credit to the game-day atmosphere generated inside Kalaheo High School gym.

“With their tradition, obviously, and all of the banners up there, it’s a nice place and a great atmosphere,” he said. “We wanted to be different. The city gyms are great, but Kalaheo has a nice court, and there’s lots of seating.”

In time, he may see the growth of WNJB’s crowds match the growth of the league itself. It has been conducting signups the last three weeks at Enchanted Lake Community Park for its fourth season, which runs July 13-Oct. 20 and is open to boys and girls ages 8-17. It again will have three divisions, including high school.

Several factors make WNJB a viable option for Windward kids, but the fact that they play during the so-called off-season of both pro and college teams - during summer and into fall - adds appeal. Both Kailua Basketball Association and Police Activities League play in the winter, giving Windward residents the option of playing or coaching in all three.

“It’s a privilege to keep playing,” said Tanouye, who also is girls varsity basketball head coach at Le Jardin Academy, “and it gives true basketball players the option of playing for another three months. I don’t know of any other leagues during that time (July to October). Basketball is big on the Windward side, so we’ve kind of filled that niche.A lot of kids also go into tryouts with their school teams in mid-season form already.”

Basketball has never been more at the community fore-front than it is now. Kalaheo’s boys team made its 18th straight state tournament appearance in February. The Mustangs, who won three state titles under the late Pete Smith, also have captured 12 OIA Championships since 1991. Current coach Chico Furtado also won five OIA titles as the Mustang girls coach in addition to making the state title game twice.

Tanouye played for Kailua, which is undergoing a revival under basketball coach Tim Harrison. He led the team to a DII state title this season.

Both programs have drawn players from the league since its inception, said Tanouye, who likens NJB to “a players’ league,“which explains some of the attention to detail.

Kailua’s David Lindsay, who plays for Damien and also for the Lakers in 2008, agrees.“It’s a growing process,” he said. “NJB helps players who don’t know that much about basketball. You get to learn true basketball. The coaches give of their time and make you feel welcome; you can ask questions and learn the basics. I’d recommend it to anyone.”

“I really like the Kalaheo gym, too,” he added.

“There’s no substitute for playing official games,“added Tanouye, who played for both Harry Murai and Koko Santos at Kailua High. “You can only get so good on the playground.”

WNBA doesn’t skimp on game day attire, as its players don NBA-replica uniforms. Even so, it’s careful not to send out the wrong message.While the league has no affiliation with a school, academics are still emphasized.

“A lot of kids look up to the NBA for inspiration, and we ground them in the sense that only the very, very few make it there,” he said. “You need a good education to get a good job in life, so we stress doing well in school. We make it known to parents that we want to work with them. When you get to the intermediate or high school level, you can’t play anyway without grades. Hopefully we’re heading them in the right direction, hopefully.”

Signups run from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Enchanted Lake park. Bring proof of birthdate and health plan.