So, I have to admit -- when it comes to this blogging thing, I have been a huge slacker...but coach always says it's not how you start, it's how you finished. These past few weeks have been pretty hectic for us; we've enjoyed a big cross-town rivalry win against Greensboro, 81-69. The next day we packed up and headed to Maryland for our first road trip to play in the Jim Crawley Tip-Off Classic. We dropped our first game to Frostburg State by four. It was a real nail biter that came down to the last 30 seconds. The next day, we play Wilkes University and we were not going home without a win. Ann was named the All-Tournament player after having two really great games.
That next Tuesday, we played close to a really good Roanoke team, which I personally think that we could have beaten. But, that's the ODAC -- anyone can win on any given night and any team can lose on any given night. We played great defense and every game so far we have played team basketball. After a tough loss, we went home for Thanksgiving Break, which was a good break from school and basketball and a time to eat some amazing food. And a Green Bay Packer win on Thanksgiving Day made the Holiday even better. Holidays are crazy because I have so much family and it never feels like I have enough time with everyone. It felt like I blinked my eyes and had to head back in Greensboro and get back to business. We had a two-a-day the Saturday after break to get prepared for this fun-filled week of games (notice the sarcasm) and we ran off all the food we ate during the holiday. We played at Emory & Henry, Monday, Washington and Lee, Wednesday, and we play Lynchburg on Saturday. One thing I can say about basketball season is that you better stay on top of all your work and stay in constant contact with your professors because we stay so busy and travel a lot. But I would encourage any high school athlete to play a college sport if they have the talent because it's one of the best ways to experience college. Being a part of a team in college helps you in some of your darkest hours and makes your brightest days even better. In the past years, my teammates have been there for me in some of my worst times. These girls have become my family over the past three years, that's something you can't replace.
Back to the basketball side, we traveled to Emory & Henry on Monday and we lost our second conference game in a row, 64-60. I did not expect a loss, but like I said before any team can win or lose on any given night in our conference. I think sometimes it takes getting knocked down to see the adversity of a team and see their ability to get back up and try it again. And that's exactly what we did on Wednesday night when we beat a talented Washington and Lee team by three points after Jaz hit a huge last second shot to put us up 55-52. I was more than ecstatic. Honestly, last night's game was a FUN basketball game to play in and we played well as a team, and that's going to be the most important tactic of us winning this season, playing as a unit rather than individuals. And I feel that we do that pretty well. This weekend's game against Lynchburg is big for us and it will be a battle for sure. We want to finish this semester 2-2 in conference rather than 1-3 and I believe we can do anything we put our minds to. And it's not how you start, it's how you finish.
On the student side of all this madness, it's about that time again. Finals week is right around the corner which is soo much fun (sarcasm again). I have two in-class exams and a possible third but my criminal procedure grade is good enough that I may be able to opt out of the final. Sometimes hard work really does pay off even in the classroom. My grades are looking pretty good for this semester. But again, it's not how you start, it's how you finish. I'll be happy for Christmas break because I'll have no homework for a month! I'm counting down the days 'til Christmas as well, which is my favorite time of the year I might add.
This Saturday we have a home game against Lynchburg at 4 and Wednesday, we play Peace here at 7. Come out and show your support!
- Lauren
"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence." - The Great, Vince Lombardi
