It's that time of the year ..

I apologize again for the delay of the blog- I know the anticipation has been killing all of you followers ;) haha We're into the last month of school so all of the procrastinated projects and end of the year finals are approaching very quickly. It's hard to think that exactly a year from now I will be on my way to walking as a 2012 Hopitality and Tourism Management GRADUATE. All the stress in homework, class, projects, etc will be all worth it in the end. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Not much has been going on at campus. My teammates and I have been overloaded with schoolwork. We get together on Tuesdays and Fridays for 2 hour open gyms. It's nice to get a few hours of a competitive workout in and see my teammates since I don't get to see them too often as I did during season. Everyone is willing to work hard this off-season and do what coach has asked us to do to be a successful team. Our goal is to have a 20-win season, which is possible. It all starts now.

As coach pointed out, players get better in the off-season. It's proven. If you are willing to put in the time and dedication the rest comes easy- or easier I should say. There are numerous players this year in the NCAA that had a tough off-season to better themselves and their statistics showed just that.

Sorry this is just a "catching up" blog. I promise to be a better blogger when school comes to a close for this year! Hope all is well!

Until next time..

#21

SPRING BREAK!

It's spring break-finally, a week off from school! I feel like I have been waiting for spring break to come ever since we had Christmas break. haha After spring break we will begin our off-season workouts. So far, a lot of the girls have been shooting and lifting but as of the first week back after break we have to start recording everything we do. Made shots, cardio, ladders, etc.

Our off-season goals are to make 15,000 shots up until September 13th- the first week of the 2011-2012 basketball season. Also, we have to set ourselves up to run a 6:15 miles and 50 consecutive push ups. There are a few other goals, but the main goal is TO GET BETTER. At this time next year- we want to be at the NAIA National Tournament. It is possible.

Hope everyone enjoys their break!

Until next time..


#21

The Bigger Picture..

Take a look at the bigger picture and don't take things for granted. Above is a picture of a senior basketball player on scholarship, but has a heart condition which has inabled her to play her 4 years at Dayton University. She was given the opportunity of her life when Coach Jabir asked her to start on her senior night as he drew up a special play for her to score her first and only basket as a Flyer. She missed the first lay-up but with just over 18 minutes left in the first half she hit a layup and her defining moment was cherished with tears and smiles.


On another note, a high school basketball player in Michigan hit the game winning shot for his team to remain undefeated in the regular season. He was just 16 and one of the most pretigeous athletes to ever come through his high school-also being the football quarterback. Wes Leonard later collapsed after the celebration of the victory where he later died. An autoposy is being performed.


In Tennesee, at Middle Tennessee State a star point guard on the women's basketball team got in a fight with her roommate-whom later stabbed Tina Stewart to death right before the conference tourny that is scheduled for Sunday-where her teammates will still play and wear a "20gether" patch in her memory. Middle Tennessee State is the number one seed going into the tournament.


At BYU the star post player has been suspended from the team as he acted against school policy. BYU is ranked 3rd in the nation with hopes of a number one seed in the national tournament. There is a strict honor code at BYU-which the player agreed upon coming to BYU. He went against his word and broke that code letting down his peers, coach, and teammates.


Why am I blogging this? Why does it matter? It's taking opportunities and life for granted. You never know what is going to happen to you or when. It could be as small as getting into an accident and surviving or it could be the passing of the rest of your life. It's small things like this that motivate people to be better-to better themselves. Maybe there is more to these stories that we don't know, but given the opportunity to play a college sport on scholarship is one of the most honored oportunities a student athlete should respect. To learn at the highest level and excel in a sport is a gift. Some of these stories couldn't stop the outcome-which is sad, but it's a knock on the head saying: Don't take things for granted.


Coach always mentions this every year. From the smallest example to not hustling in a drill-at some point we all take life for granted. We have been given the opportunity of a lifetime and we still at one point take it casually. ALL of us. We're all guilty-speaking for myself too. Life is full of unexpected surprises...good and bad. Abide the rules, stay healthy, respect your surroundings, and stay away from negative influences in life. You control your own mindset and your own destiny. Take it to heights that you only dream of. Anything is possible.



Until next time..




#21

The off-season begins..

Once you lose that last game of the season-regardless of how many months you spent every day in the gym with the same team and the same coaches..you really do miss it. Whether it's right away, a week later, or even a month-you can't wait for next seasons games to begin.

Today, I began my first off-season training. I only lifted today, but it was nice to get back into the routine knowing that it will benefit me and my team for my senior season of basketball in college. I am no Michael Jordan and no professional athlete, but I will say that off-season training does pay off. Last summer I emphasized shooting more 3 pointers than usual and doing different drills for my 3 point shot. My percentage improved almost 15% this season. The hard work DOES pay off. No, I wasn't the best shooter in the nation, but it benefited my team and my confidence from the arc knowing how much time I put in this summer.

At one of the last season games I was asked what it takes to be good-the only answer I had to that question for a little girl in middle school was to be in the gym when others are not. There are no days off and if you are in the gym at the same time as your opponent-WORK HARDER THAN THEM. You could have the most talent in the world, but if you don't work at that talent your talents will just stay stagnant. There is always room for improvement-in every aspect of life. There is a difference between good and great..

This is just a few basic thoughts about off-season training. You can be good, but it takes hard work to be great. Not every teenager and young adult want to put in that effort to get where they want to be. Nothing just comes to you-you have to go out and get it. My team and myself-we want to be great. I believe next seasons team is ready to take the time and effort to be that great team for the 2011-2012 season.


Until next time..


#21

Not the end, but a new beginning..

It was an emotional year and an emotional last game for the team last night as we took a heartbreaking loss in the semi-final game versus Cardinal Stritch. It is always a hard time taking a loss versus a team like them, but you have to give them credit for being a great team that they are. They have won conference numerous years in a row under one of the best coaches in NAIA women's basketball. The good thing is-time moves on and there's always another chance. Maybe not for my fellow teammates and graduating seniors- Meme Harris and Jennifer Britton, but PUC women's basketball will always have a next time with them.

Playing in my last game with those two graduating seniors was one of the hardest tasks I've been through in my basketball career. You could see the passion and heart in each of their steps. They didn't want it to be their last and it's so unfortunate to lose such great all around women as them. In my 3 years playing with these two- I have developed MANY memories with each and hopefully everlasting friendships. I adore each girl and they will forever be my teammates. They have helped me learn and grow as a person and a player. I couldn't ask for anything more. This isn't the end, but a new beginning for you and your careers. Which I know you'll succeed in.

On the statistic note, we ended our season 17-13. The best record we have posted here at PUC since Coach Medge has came here. I believe this is all due to the fact of simply recruiting great talent and great people. There is not another girl I would want to share that record with. This is my second family and I am sad that the same group of girls will not be returning. Yes, we only lose two players-but those two players have made such a dramatic impact for the team since they have been here.

The time is finally here where I am a senior and after last nights game I know that it will be quite an emotional year. I am ready for next season already and I can't wait to bring in our new recruits to get going on my final season of basketball, ever. It is a scary thought, but I couldn't be happier being at the university I am with the people that are here.

Overall, I am pleased with this season. Yes, you can always do better but we are going in the right direction. I cannot thank the support enough. From the coaches, players, fans, score table workers, administrators, and staff-there are no words to express how much you have influenced our team. I hope to see you all again next year.

Until next time..


#21

What It All Comes Down To..

The time is finally here..

Every sprint, every sand dune, every lift in the weight room, every offseason shot..

It all matters now. 40 minutes of solid basketball. All you've got-just to get to the next game. This is it. You get 40 minutes at a time and if you don't pull it all together-that loss means the most. The end of the season..

We've come a long way. So far, since I have been here we posted the best regular season record at 16-12 with some wins that we could of won-we just didn't put it together for the total 40 minutes. Maybe it was for 39 minutes, or 38. It doesn't count. It has to be 40.

This is the CCAC tournament. A title of CCAC Tournament Champions gives us a free birth to the National Tournament in Iowa-what we have been preparing for the last 6 months.


I hope to see EVERYONE at our conference opener versus Judson at 7 pm on Tuesday Feb. 22nd! We need YOUR support. You fans are the ones who make the atmosphere the way it is.



Until next time..



#21

Where Are We Now?

HEY EVERYONE! Sorry it has taken quite a long time for me to blog for the women's basketball team. This semester has already been a crazy one so time management takes a bit to get used to. Classes are pretty challenging and definitely time consuming to say the least. Hope everyone is doing well!

As of right now, we stand at 15-12 and 6-5 in the conference. Come Saturday, we are going into our last regular season game at Calumet College. The last match-up was sent into overtime-where unfortunately Cal College took over and beat us on our home floor. It was a hard fought game and that is a time where you are happy to have a second round in CCAC conference play.

Next week is a huge week for all NAIA basketball. The conference tournament is where you put the whole season together for 40 minutes with no regrets. Everything you have worked on for 6 months comes down to this last week. If we were to sweep the conference tournament it'll put us right where we have been working towards this whole season-at the NAIA National Tournament.

I'll be sure to keep everyone posted! Hope you have all been following our games via internet with the game articles provided after each game-if not, here at PUC live watching us. It is always a great atmosphere. Thanks for following and once again, sorry for the long delay on the blog!


Until next time...


#21