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

What It Takes To Be Great

After reading an article I took interest in what it takes to be great. So here is what type of insight I gained from reading: It's always been said that there is no substitution for hard work. If you look at the greatest players in the world-yes, they have talent but to keep that talent from folding into a normal athlete they practice what they are good at repetitively.

All humans were born with a natural talent that they are able to do better than anyone. For some it is in athletics, but it could also be at work, in school, hobbby-related, etc. It is just a natural talent, but to be the best at it you have to practice until you're great.

Consistency is crucial. It isn't practicing and shooting different each shot, but making the shot and using the same fundamentals each time are extremely crucial. You can practice the same shot over and over again, but if you miss every time and don't practice it the right way it is useless. It is said that the people who excel best at what they do, spend 10,000 of deliberate practice in their life.

The mindset of someone trying to excel in a certain activity has to be nothing but positive and focused. If something doesn't go your way you cannot pout and get a negative attitude. It is just something that should motivate you to practice harder on that aspect. It's your weak point and in order to make yourself the best you have to be great in EVERY aspect.

A perfect example of a determined player is Michael Jordan. Most people have heard the story about him getting cut from his high school team. MJ then went on to be one of the greatest players of all times in the game of basketball. With his positive mind frame and hard work-anything was possible. The only person that stopped MJ from being great was himself.

This isn't everything it takes to be great, but overall what I've learned from life is that attitude is everything. If you think you can do something you're probably right, if you think you can't you're probably right also. If you want to be the best and if you invest all your time in trying to be the best-most likely you'll become the best.

Until next time..



#21

Oh, the peaks and valleys..

Wow! I can't believe it is already the start of a new year. Already so far, we have had an up and down year. I hope everyone is having a great start to another year we are given. Hope you are keeping up with your resolutions too! ;)

Well, since I haven't posted recently let me update you on the happenings around campus. First and foremost, school has started back up so things have been more busy than ever. The first week is always so tough getting back into the swing of things. As an HTM major I can gladly say SO FAR I love all of my classes and professors. Honestly, there hasn't been a class in the HTM program that has disappointed me. It's a great major, but most importantly it is FUN and you learn a lot.

On the basketball side of things, we are currently 10-8. This isn't necessarily where we want to be as of now, but every team has their peaks and valleys. For awhile we were in the valley, but a great team like us can get back up to the peak and do big things. We have only 10 more regular season games left! It is crazy how fast my junior year has flown by. It is kind of depressing! There is nothing more that I look forward to most than tying up my shoes and going to practice or games. The excitement and adrenaline is just a great feeling. And to support the university I will be representing after college and out in the real world with my BIG girl job-it's all great.

Well, I know it has been a long time since I have blogged but I'm off to lunch and then practice. I hope my followers are still following even after I have slacked :) You guys are the heart of our fans and I hope the blog helps you understand more of the student-athlete spectrum. Our next game is Thursday @ Robert Morris at 5 pm and then the next home game is Saturday January 22 @ 1 pm. Hope to see you there! Stay warm and safe with these crazy weather conditions we've had. Be blessed!

Until next time..

#21

IT'S CONFERENCE!!!!!!

2nd SEMESTER CONFERENCE KICK OFF STARTS TONIGHT!!!!!


5 PM VERSUS DEFENDING CONFERENCE CHAMPS-CARDINAL STRITCH!!!!!!!!!!


ONE TEAM-ONE GOAL-OUR YEAR!!!


HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!






#21