The Excitement Builds

November 16

Four and a half weeks of preseason is a very long time, longer than the preseasons of most other sports. To practice for four and a half weeks without competing (outside of the two scrimmages we’ve had) is hard; it begins to feel monotonous and redundant.

But the bottom line is that the repetition is crucial. Four and a half weeks is necessary in order to prepare our bodies, improve our skill sets, and get used to playing with one another, never mind learning plays, offensive sets and defensive schemes. I have to admit that during preseason, it only got harder and harder to keep this mindset. But with our first official game of the season approaching fast, I’m very appreciative of all the time and effort we’ve put in thus far. Our last few practices have been intense and it is clear that our opening game is on everyone’s mind. While we attempt to treat practice like a game every single day, the fact that in just a few days we will actually be in a game situation makes this easier to do and it has definitely created a very special practice environment.

The overall excitement within the team to finally start playing has definitely improved our chemistry. Everyone is on the same page as far as preparing for Tuesday night’s game and what we need to do to win it. After a pretty tough, conditioning-oriented practice on Saturday morning, the majority of my team grabbed some food and came back to the gym to support our men’s team as they opened their season with a tight 65-62 win over Southern Vermont. One of my teammates and I joked before the game started about how absurd it was that we were so excited just to watch the game and cheer them on. But thinking back on how ‘into’ the game we were (I think we started every ‘DE-FENSE’ cheer there was), it really isn’t so absurd. These guys have been doing the same thing as us for the past month or so, and they were finally on the court starting their season. We not only can relate to what they’ve been through, but we also can understand the excitement of playing in the first real game of the season. In a lot of ways, I think I was envious that they were able to actually play on Saturday and the closest thing to playing in the game for me was supporting them. My excitement for our game was actually showing while I watched their game.

But Tuesday night at 7 o’clock at Brooklyn College, we won’t be watching. We’ll be competing, and it will mean something. If we’re this excited about practicing and watching games, imagine how we’re going to feel as we get ready to step on the court Tuesday night? I think excitement would be an understatement for that one.