Troy University Athletics
A Trip of Firsts
1/19/2009 6:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)
Monday, January 19, 2009
What a difference a week makes! This time last week, we were overcoming a disappointing 2-point loss to ULaLa at home. Losing is hard any which way it happens, but I think it's even more difficult to get over when it's close. But, get over it we did, and we've moved on up in the rankings a spot or two since then. I don't know that for sure now that I think about it, but surely we haven't moved down any after two big wins on the road.
I have designated this past road trip as “A Trip of Firsts” for a few reasons:
First and foremost, it's the first time Kenny Ware has hit six three-pointers in a row. Not just for TROY, but possibly EVER! That includes in practice or games, at shoot around or rec ball, at
The loudest cheers from the student section (which was directly behind our bench and is usually more than creative in their vocal jabs to the team, coaches, managers, and athletic trainers) was when Kenny missed his seventh trey late in the second half!
A good tip to keep the home team quiet: score first and stay ahead most of the game. For some reason, that does the trick!
Secondly, it was the first time I've ever run around a mall. I've run through a mall before, searching diligently for good deals, and to the mall to get to Panera, but never around one. In my New Year's Resolution to run 300 days this year, I am most challenged when we're on the road. The Pecanland Mall was the winner of the easiest and safest route this time in
When at home, I have two routes in
When I'm on the road, I have to worry about what to do with my cell phone so I can have it to call for help if I need it. I have to leave my key at the front desk so my phone doesn't erase the code. I also have to remember whether I turned left or right at the light so I can find my way back to the hotel. It can seem more of a hassle than not, but it gets me out of the hotel room and I get a change of scenery, which is a win-win.
Most importantly, this past road trip was the first time since
According to Alyson-memory, we haven't played well at either venue. The
The last time at
I asked Coaches Maestri and Felix before we unloaded at
Eleven more regularly scheduled games to go. This week includes a home game Thursday against the
Then, it's off in the wild blue yonder on the Trojan Express, along with the women's team, to
HA! HA! Not really, but it will be a busy trip for me. I should get very familiar with the arena at UALR on game day with two shoot-arounds and a double header. And, my tape count should sky-rocket to boot. I'm up to 535 basketball ankles taped since October. I could easily add 40 to that total this weekend. It's no wonder my hands look like they do.
At the very least I hope to get to eat at P.F. Chang's Friday night...that and maybe check out a few books from the Clinton Library, and a run on the river walk.
If there was any arena in the SunBelt that I could pick up and set down in Troy it would be UALR's: nice, new, and shiny, with a full sized practice facility right off the main floor, plenty of seats-but not too many, with the athletic training and locker rooms all on one level. And to top it all off, their mascot is the Trojans and their colors are almost identical to ours. It wouldn't be that hard to change if you asked me.
The women play Wednesday night at home against UNO. I'll be there for that one. Then, I'll see you again Thursday night at Trojan Arena for some men's action. Come out and see if we can...I'm not going to say it, but you know what I mean.
GO TROJANS!
Alyson
P.S. I've finally figured out how to get the pictures out of my digital camera and I've included a random assortment from the New Orleans Bowl and Jacksonville, Florida. If you click on the picture, it will give you the caption of who, what, when, where. Hope you enjoy.
