The University of Mississippi Athletics
TaShondrea Moton's Diary
1/10/2002 | Women's Basketball
Entry One:
Nov. 29, 2001
I would like to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
After a devastating loss to Tennessee Tech to open the season, you may be wondering, 'How will the Lady Rebels respond'? Well, we decided to refocus and compete like the team we have demonstrated we are capable of being in our practice sessions. We responded with intensity and focus against Murray State in our next game, getting the 78-58 win over the Racers. That was a good win for us because it rebuilt our confidence and assured us that when we play as a team, good things happen.
After playing Murray State, school was out and we traveled to Montana to play in the Montana State Gran Tree Thanksgiving Classic. Even though we were there to have fun and get away from studying, our main goal was to take care of business on the court. That meant winning the tournament and we did just that. It wasn't pretty at times--especially if you watched our first practice. Because of the change in altitude, you would have thought we had asthma or were in bad shape. I wanted an oxygen mask myself!
The altitude was not so friendly to us in our first game against Montana State, but we managed to pull of the upset of the host team, beating MSU 66-59. To achieve our champion status, we defeated Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 74-57, in the second game of the tournament. Von Kirk was named MVP of the tournament and Ally Kelly also made the All-Tournament team.
For entertainment on the trip we went to Big Sky Ski resort on Thanksgiving Day. Can you say snowball fight? As soon as we got off the bus, there was a huge snowball fight between the players, managers, coaches and support staff. Kim, Ally, Becky and Rachel gave us all laughs by sliding down the slope on trash bags. The winner of the snowball fight would have to be Coach Aldy, who took out Kim and Ally in a surprise attack.
I enjoyed the tournament banquet, not because of the food, but because of how well the Lady Rebels look dressed up. You would have thought we had 13 models on our team instead of 13 hoopsters.
The highlight of Montana was relaxing and spending time with each other, while watching the Ole Miss football team take on Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. We met some Ole Miss fans earlier in the day and they told us this great restaurant we could go to to watch the game. They joined us and we all had fun cheering on the Rebels.
Even though we were not able to spend time with our immediate family on Thanksgiving, the Lady Rebels and staff are family like no other. I thank the Lord for allowing me to be surrounded by such great people.
Hotty Toddy! TaShondrea Moton
