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Diary Entry #4: 2/15/00
Our team was not as aggressive (at Oregon) as we need to be in order tobe successful. This week we really need to dig down and find therebounding and defense it will take to be competitive. If we reallyconcentrate in those areas it will really help us focus down the road.The crowd was not a factor in terms of affecting our psychological statesof mind- I have talked to other teamates about this and we all feel like-if anything- it is motivating to hear people boo you- the onlydifficulties we might have faced in such loud situations is communicating-as the noise level at times gets in the way of talking to each other.However, we have made more hand signals and continue to practice time andscore situations in order to better prepare us for the times whencommunication may be a bit hampered. The pit really packs some people in-I wouldn't say it is tough- but more unique- I think players know what toexpect when they go there after they have played there once- if you knowwhat to expect then there is no reason the atmosphere should affect yourgame plan becuase appropriate preparations are made in accordance to thoseexpectations.Oregon State was a must win for our team- it was a good winand we needed it in order to get back on track. Jamie is a steady leaderin her own way as a freshman and that is huge. She tends to be positiveand talks well- which is integral as a floor leader. Every team that issuccessful has people with positive energy and competitive attitudes-Jamie is an example of one of these people.
Cal will definitely come out ready to play- there is a quotethat Tara refers to often- that holds to be true- "The hungry lion huntsbest" (Shakespeare) and I know Cal is searching for a feast. One of theareas we really need to focus on is rebounding and that is what Cal doeswell. It will be a good challenge for our team to really concentrate andEXECUTE in that area on Friday. We need to play good defense and rebound.
I am not surprised (at how tight the race is in the Pac-10) in the sense that players and teams aregetting better- but I am dissapointed in our standing in the Pac-10, as Ibelieve we can play better and I know that there are specific things weneed to work on and execute in order to be successful. Down the stretch,the teams that are mentally and physically prepared and EXCITED aboutplaying (coming out with intensity and a will to win) are going to besuccessful. It is one thing to talk and another to do. With that note Iwill just say that today it going to be a great, intense practice. Thatis what it is going to take- one day at a time- steady and consistenteffort.
Looking towards the future, I have to admit that basketball is really something that hasbecome such a large part of my life- not as if I don't have manydimensions to my identification of self- but I would like to play down theroad. I have so much to improve on- and I can't wait until this spring andsummer to really concentrate on improving specific things- getting in theweight room even more etc.. so, I would like to be able to work hardenough in order to make playing in the future a reality. Beyondbasketball, I am interested in media- in particular television-tentatively I think I would like to do sports broadcasting- althoughthe entertainment arena is also interesting. I also enjoy writing, somaybe working for a magazine would be an option. I plan on majoring inCommunications and Sociology- I may take another year to do more academicwork, while still training. Other interests I have are sports psychology(I contemplated majoring in psychology) and sports physiology. I alsoenjoy designing (clothes and interior design) and I am interested inpossibly working for an athletic clothing company such as Nike (I knowthere is room for more clothing that fits tall, or broad shoulderedathletes etc.). I will work really hard and hopefully have some doorsopen and opportunities arise.