Today was a full day. Early breakfast followed by a practice. The practice was pretty good. Fairly good intensity and good attention to detail. I keep getting the urge to suggest we go harder but then I realize that we have been together for 10 days and have a gut wrenching trip coming up. We will need to conserve some energy for the trip but still push the girls to improve. It is a fine line.
This afternoon we had a film session and discussed plans for our scrimmage tonight. The organization of things hasn't been the best here with changes in the schedule popping up at a moment's notice. Our staff has decided to let them all roll off our backs as China can be much of the same according to our head coach Linda Marquis. Today was no different as our video session got cut a bit short as our conference room was apparently double booked by (get the irony in this) Scarborough Chinese Association. Were they planted there as a distraction? Who really knows?
So after our video session we headed over to the gym to scrimmage. Game time set for 5pm. Of course the local coach had a miscue and told some of his players it was later so they didn't show up until 5:40. The coaches looked at each other and simply said "China!" Finally the guys were warmed up and ready to go. A few HS players, a few georgian college players and one entering his 2nd year at Concordia U. Needless to say I wasn't expecting a stellar performance. Fooled again. The girls played hard and well. They executed on offense and shot the ball well. The defense was very solid from where we were 5 days ago. We defeated the guys 71-68. Hopefully we maintain the energy and execution in China.
Afterwards I stayed to watch some of the junior girls tryout camp. Many of these kids are entering their final year of high school so they are recruitable for next year. Not much chance due to the string of NCAA coaches in the gym to watch them plus the other obstacles in the way but I had to watch anyway.
Tomorrow we have a day off from practice. The girls need the rest and we have some injuries to rehab. Our injured guard will be back for the China games and not before. Our starting PG needs to get some rest for her damaged ankle as well. We will have a team breakfast then have some individual meetings for goal setting before the trip. In the afternoon we are going to a movie as a team. In the evening we will have a team meal and let the girls crash in bed early. We will practice twice on Sunday or practice once and scrimmage. That is yet to be determined. We will practice once on Monday and then prepare to depart.
An interesting side note for today was the article we were given about the food in China. One of the delicacies that is very popular as the Olympics approach is skewered Roasted Scorpions. Grubs and Insect Larvae are also very popular. MMMMM Can't wait to get the Roasted Scorpion combo with the Biggie Size Grubs and a large June Bug Shake. This sounds like it could be a culinary adventure but you know I gotta try some of the crazy shit they eat.
We have also been told how cheap things are over there and how "Gucci" bags sell for about 15 dollars. Can't wait to see this movie!!!
So guess what I am off to do now? Yep, more video. Gonna prep tonight's scrimmage for the girls to watch maybe tomorrow night or the next morning. The job never ends.
The journey continues
Coach
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