Recap of Our Thanksgiving Tournament with Our UNO Family (Nov. 30, 2009)
Hello Lady Privateer friends, family, and fans! I'm writing to you from the airplane on the way back to New Orleans from Colorado.
On Wednesday, we traveled to Boulder, Colorado to play in a Thanksgiving tournament. We practiced Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for our games feverishly trying to become accustomed to the altitude difference. When we entered the locker room to get dressed for practice, the first thing we noticed was the warning sign. Hanging on the wall was a sign that cautioned visitors about physical activity at such a high altitude. Of course, we all joked about the sign until we started practicing! As always, Coach Champ was looking out for her boot camp army. She had all the Lady Privateers on a strict water diet with all our meals to prevent any of her soldiers going down due to dehydration.
On Thursday, we shared a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with all the other teams and coaches in the tournament. However, I must say that the team's Tuesday night Thanksgiving dinner at Captain Candice McGee's house prepared by her mother Miss Helen was absolutely delicious. The Lady Privateers would like to sincerely thank Miss Helen for her copious hospitality and delectable home cooked meal.
On Friday, we played the Harvard Crimson. Given my hometown connection to Harvard, the loss was a tough one. Despite having out rebounding them by 30, we lost! Conversely, I must give due praise to the Crimson for handing themselves in such a disciplined manner in the absence of their head coach. Coach Smith, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
We suffered the consequences of our loss with pizza for dinner and a nine o'clock curfew, upon which we had to hand our cell phones into Officer Carter, whom we learned has bionic ears. Apparently, she can hear grass grow. Coach Carter proceeded to keep our cell phones after breakfast and film through the pregame meal.
Saturday morning, we watched film on our opponent Georgia Southern and had a walkthrough in the hotel lobby. I'm sure you're all wondering what we used as a basketball. A sneaker? Nope. Someone's scouting report from film rolled up into a paper ball? Nope. A bottle of mustard? DING DING DING! The mustard bottle is the lucky winner! The mustard walk through proved to be very productive as we learned to switch screens and latch players around screens. Saturday night we beat Georgia Southern and enjoyed the perks of our win. We had a twelve o'clock curfew and dinner at Outback.
Lesson learned from our first away trip: Things with Coach Champion are black and white. There is no grey area in between. To be in Champ's army one must always be on her A-Game! This is a challenge the Lady Privateers openly and willingly accept. We will certainly need to be on our A-Game this week as we play Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, while preparing for final exams.
I can sincerely say we are all excited to be back below sea level! I hope all of you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your families!
Until Next time … GO BIG BLUE!!
Going Courtside with Lady Privateer Amanda McCarthy
