Tusculum College junior guard Jama Hammontree blogged this week from Aiken, South Carolina where the Pioneer Women's basketball team participated in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional.
Day 3 - Friday, March 9
This morning we woke up at 7:20 for our 8:00 shoot around.
We were allowed 25 minutes for our shoot around and we ran over our
offensives and got some shots up. After the shoot around we came
back to hotel and were able to rest until pregame meal at 11:30.
They got us IHOP and brought it back to the hotel. After eating we
got our stuff ready for the game and left to go to the gym at
1:30.
We went to our locker room and got dressed as soon as we got there. Then we went to the training room and got taped. We were able to watch part of the Wingate vs Barton game after that. We stretched at the upper court while the other game was still going on. Then we got a 30-minute warm up before our game started. We were excited and ready to play.
We got out to a good start and we were executing our defensive plan. We were competing and enjoying being back on the court. We were up at the half 18-16. We were happy about how the game was going for us and we knew we had to keep up our intensity if we wanted to stay in the game. However, Clayton State was able to disrupt us offensively and focus us into many turnovers. We stuck together and never backed down, but we were not able to come up with the win.
We were very thankful for all the people that drove to support us and we're sorry we were not able to finish with the result we all wanted. Our seniors Staci Hicks and Linda Aughburns played their hearts out and had a great game. We are so thankful for their leadership and dedication to our team. They are some of the greatest teammates I have ever had.
Day 2 - Thursday, March
8
Woke up at 8:45 this morning and headed down to the continental
breakfast. We had sausage, eggs, donuts, waffles, cereal, orange
juice, milk, and coffee. Then we were able to go back to our rooms
and get our stuff ready for the rest of the day. We met in Coach
Jolly's room to watch film on Clayton State after that.
Then we loaded the bus and went to the gym at USC Aiken for our
55-minute practice. It was pretty much just a shooting practice
since we had limited time. Coach Harris, Coach Jolly, and Jasmine
Gunn ran the 11 lady break drill with us today. Coach Jolly was
trying to D everyone up and get his assists up, too bad he wasn't
able to score any points though.
After we got done with our shooting practice we went to Firehouse
Subs for lunch. They had a Coca-Cola Freestyle drink machine where
you are able to get over 120 coke flavors. It took the whole team
forever to decide which flavor they should get. Of course Coach
Harris just got water and wanted everyone else to……..
LAME.
After lunch we got to go back to our rooms for about an hour and
then we had practice at South Aiken High School. It was a short
practice where we went over our offensive sets and defensive plan
for tomorrow's game.
Then we went back to the hotel and got ready for the Regional
banquet. I have to say we were the best looking team there! At the
banquet they introduced all 8 teams and said a little about each.
We also had dinner there. They served us salad, grilled chicken,
pasta, green beans, rolls, and brownies.
Now we are back at the hotel and we have a meeting tonight before
bed. We are focused and determined for tomorrow's game. Our Family
vs Their Team!! #TCback #TurnUp
Day 1 - Wednesday, March
7
We loaded the bus at 6:00 tonight for a five-hour ride to USC
Aiken. Dinner from Applebee's was waiting for us when we got on the
bus. We had grilled chicken, broccoli, and mashed potatoes. Then we
went over the scouting report for Clayton State.
Everyone is ready for gameday to get here. We are excited about the
opportunity we have. After the scouting report
everyone relaxed on the bus and they turned the tvs on ESPN to
watch the games.
We got to the hotel at 11:00. Then we settled in our rooms and got
ready for bed because we have an early morning tomorrow. :) #TCback
#TurnUp
