Meet My New Friends..

Here's some pics some guys that you might know. These are the cool guys that take time to appreciate thier fans (even though I was wearing a Bobcats jersey). Don't worry I'll get more pics of up D12, Vince, and company. Enjoy for now.

Shootaround Part 2

Once again, even though we didn't get a pic with him Vince is still one of my fav players. The former UNC star was cheered and had a great game. This is for you Kristoffer (the rest of you guys are Vince haters anyways). Enjoy.

Something for Da Fellas...

Like I said before, we had to wait 4 hours for the Magic to shootaround. Here was a lil something something that keep us entertained while we waited. Enjoy Fellas.

Shootaround Part 1

Even though we didn't get to take a pic with him, J Will is still J Will. Here's a lil vid for you Graham Bodnar (and the rest of you guys haha).

C'mon Son!

Before I post pics of my new buddies, I must sound off on something. We got to sit courtside for shootaround and most of warm ups, again. Since the Bobcats played the night before no one came out to shootaround till warm up so we sat on the Magic side of the court. We had waited about 4 hours to for the bus to pull in. Each of the players came out to shoot around like 2 or 3 at a time. They each had their own coach throwing passes to them. Dante wondered if they ever got bored going through this day in and day out. I know that if I never had to rebound for myself, I don't think that I could ever get bored of throwing up brick after brick. As each player came in, they had to walk past us. Now there was a bunch of kids lined up on the railing of the tunnel trying to get pics and autographs. I laughed because while they stood their waiting, I sat there just chilling till they shouted out the names of the people coming down the tunnel. As each player came out of the tunnel and onto the court, Dante and I gave them dap and pounds to pretty much the whole team. Dante and I asked most of them for a pic and most were pretty cool about it except for a couple of guys: Vince and Jason Williams.

We tried to get Vince's attention but he just walked passed us pretending like he didn't hear us. C'mon Son. How could he not hear us?? He walked right past us!!

When J Will walked past us Dante actually got his attention and said "Mr Williams could we get a pic?" He turned around and said "nah" and walked away. C'mon Son. It was still over an hour before gametime. Take 5 seconds out of your time and hook up some big fans of yours.

This was disappointing; I wish that I could have told them that I drove 26 hours and 1600 miles from Canada to check them out. Probably won't ever have a chance to see them in person again, at east not this close. C'mon Son. Show some love. You have the best job in the world. Don't get me wrong, I still love you guys and will cheer for you but C'mon Son. Don't be dicks. Appreciate your fans.

Bobcats Vs Magic

So Saturday was the Bobcats/ Magic game. We got to the Time Warner Arena around 2 pm and left around 1030ish. We got to walk around through the tunnels, go into the press conference area, sit on the benches, stand on the floor, and oh ya, watch a basketball game. The game went into overtime after the Bobcats rallied from 16 down in the forth to tie it up with 1.2 seconds left. Unfortunately the Magic outscored them 14-3 in OT. The last 4 mins of the game was crazy and the whole place was on their feet chanting "Defense!" and cheering the comeback. We didn't get to sit behind the bench but still had great seats (worth $150 I think I heard). Once again, such a sweet experience. Thanks again Dani for the tickets.

The Tunnel where the Bobcats come out.

Sittting on the end of the Bobcats bench.

Center court

Waiting to check into the game.

Watching AC Law work on his jumper.

Can We Please Get ESPN in Canada?

So the day after the Carolina game, Dante's mom, Dani, gave us a tour of ESPN. This is a smaller site while their main site is in Connecticut. It was pretty cool to see how they make the highlights and graphics you see on tv. While we were there, we got to see the setup and interview with the Rock to promo his new Movie "The Tooth Fairy". We met a bunch of people including the guys that did the highlights later on that night. Everyone was pretty cool and we got to play around with some stuff (as you can see). I asked them if they could point one of their dishes my way so that I can get ESPN in Canada. Thanks Dani for the tour!

Mobb Goes for 10!

Preview:

Mobb looks remain unbeaten and start off the year at 10-0. Mobb (9-0) plays the Rimjobs (8-1) tonight at the Duckworth Center. Tonight's game is a big game for Div 4 as a win by the Rimjobs will put them in a tie for first place with Mobb. Mobb will be short on guards tonight with guards Mitch Catacutan and Jay Dela Cruz out of town. Even without them, Mobb with still have leading scorer Kris St Clair and sweet shooting Eric Sung. It'll be a short bench tonight but with never quit guys like Adam Hurtig, Mike Garcia, and Bob Mableson, Mobb will have the horses to keep their streak alive. Good Luck Fellas!

Putting Things in Perspective

On our 2 hour ride home after the game on Wednesday, I was thinking about how blessed I was that I was able to experience a game at UNC. While I was thinking this, I heard some people on the radio talking about what's going on in Haiti right now and the help that those people need. It got me to think about how all my problems are nothing compared to those people in Haiti. I can't imagine what it would be like to have family members missing or your home in shambles. Here I am on a dream trip feeling sorry for myself that I have no job or girl among other things. I'm sure that anyone over there would trade places with me in a second. I felt selfish because I will find another job; some lucky girl will come my way; and I know my family is at home safe. I also have plenty of other things going on for me that sometimes I take for granted: great friends & family, my own car, an education, and my health just to name a few. I've donated some money to help out and it's not like that money will go a long way to repairing these people's lives but my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone over there. Anyone who reads this please join me and say a prayer for those who have some real problems in their lives. If you are in, please comment and say "yes" that you will join me in praying and thinking about those people over there and may the Lord give them the strength to endure this tragic event.

Game Experience

I learned quite a bit of North Carolina basketball watching the game at Chapel Hill. It was unfortunate that we lost 82-69. We just don't have the right personnel this year in particular on the perimeter. We don't have the guards to get the ball to the bigs not do we have the shooters to keep the defence from packing it in. There is talk that we are in danger of missing the NCAA tournament this year.


If we don't make the tournament, I can accept that. After all, we did win 2 championships in the past 5 years. Don't get me wrong, it would suck to watch the NCAA's with my team in it and I would catch quite a bit of flack from everyone (Judd mostly hahaha). This however, is unacceptable here in Chapel Hill. What I've learned from Dante and from the game is that Carolina fans here expect to win the National Championship EVERY year. It's like they forget that they won just last year. They have more of an "what have you done for me lately?" kind of attitude. This sums it up and bothered me the most on Wednesday night: there was a timeout with 7:21 left in the second half and Wake just got a basket to put them up by 11. The whole place started to clear out. I was like "what the hell??? There's so much time left in the game". I was so mad. Here I am at my first ever game and I would come to every game if it was possible. These people can be here for every game and it's not fair. Support your freakin team through the good AND the bad. It's been said that this young team is lacking confidence right now. Well NO KIDDING!!! If I was a player and saw the whole place clear out with some much time left, I wouldn't have any confidence either. Support you dam team Old People of Chapel Hill. That's what they need more than anything. Sure they aren't that good this year but most of these guys will be back. You people are spoiled and have no idea how lucky you are to watch the best basketball program ever.



I am afraid for Roy Williams too. If the Heels don't make the tournament and say that they struggle next year (I really hope not) then Roy Williams could be fired. Picture this, the guy came in and won 2 national championships in 7 years and they would think about canning him over 2 bad years? That's ridiculous. It just goes to show you how much pressure there is to win EVERY year here.



Here's something that they need to do: right now, one end line and 2 sections of the lower bowl is for students. The rest is for the old people, who show up late for the games anyways (the place was pretty much empty till about 15 mins left in the first half). Move the old people out of there and have at least half the lower bowl saved for the students. The students were there once the doors opened and they were there right till the end of the game. It's the students that make the atmosphere at these college arenas. Think of Duke and Kansas. Plus these old people hardly ever get out of their seats. I see why they call them a "wine and cheese crowd". The place has the program and usually the team to make that place the greatest place to play.



I was disappointed to see this but now I understand what kind of pressure there is on the players and coaches of North Carolina. It makes it even more impressive that they can perform under this kind of pressure. I will always cheer for Carolina and I will take a bad year (and even missing the tournament) if we win a Championship the year before. This is crazy to think all this b/c when they get their recruits next year, they will be favoured to win it all next year.

Earlier that day...

We got to Chapel Hill and had about 5 hours to spare before game time. Here's a few things that Dante and I did:

1. We checked out the basketball museum. I could have spent days in there just checking out everything with all the facts. There was a list of all the first round draft picks on the wall. Carolina has only had 2 #1 picks ever. Does anyone know who? For those of you thinking that one of them was MJ, he actually went 3rd. There were more cool things in there like their trophies and displays on Roy Williams, Tyler Hansbrough, MJ, and others important people.

2. Their football field was huge. Seats 70000 from what Dante says. Since no one was around, we probably could have gone down to the field but we didn't really want to get kicked out the place within the first 30 mins of being there.

3. The Old Well (Pic with the pillars). It is rumoured that it is bad luck if you drink out of the well before your sr year. I took a swig. Nah just joking didn't want any bad luck to come my way.

4. Close your eyes. Now picture a Sport Check store. Got it? Now picture a Sport Check store with ONLY Carolina gear. Ya the Visa took a bit of a hit here.

5. For all you ballers out there, here's their version of Rucker park. Picture this, just outside you dorm is a full court with lights. Any arguments can be settled at anytime by shooting for it or shooting for teams.

6. I waited in line briefy with the studens while they waited to get tickets. Some had been in line since that morning. People were getting their bodies painted blue as well. Suckers, I already had my ticket.

This is Leslie McDonald. Another freshman Stud. The next shooter.

Eric, we ate at McAlliter's before the game. Tried to get some sweet tea for you but didn't have a bottle.

Once In a Lifetime....

So Dante and I got there about 90 mins before gametime (7 pm) which is actually when they open the Dean Dome. Students who had lined up for tickets as early as 2 pm filled up the students section right away. Earlier that day at the basketball museum, we were talking to one of the people that worked there. We told him that we had come all the way from Canada to check out the game. He told us to talk to one of his buddies, Bob Ward, that was an usher on the floor and he would let us sit courtside and take pics before the game. He was pretty cool and when he found out that his friend has sent us and that we were from Canada, he let us hang out and take some pics and became Dante's new best friend. He let me actually stand on the floor (as seen). Sure I was out of bounds but still. We were on the side that Carolina was shooting on and they were as close at 2 feet in front of me (Larry Drew II shooting). I actually got a rebound on the sideline and tried to send a post entry pass into Ed Davis but he got another pass from someone else (my pass would have been better than the entry passes I saw later on that night). That player in the pic with me is my new main man, freshman Dexter Strickland. I was wearing my Ty Lawson jersey (#5) which Dexter now wears. When Dante got his attention and he looked over, I flashed him my jersey and he was pumped to see that I was wearing his number. Dante had asked if we could each take a pic with him and he was more than happy to do it. It was cool to see him take a few seconds to come over and say hi to us. If you ask both Dante and I, he should be the starting point guard over Larry Drew. That other dude in the pic with Dante and I is actually the best shooter on the team. It's too bad that he's like the 12th man and never plays but this guy was hitting 3 after 3 with no effort. After seeing so many bricks and air balls that night, they could probably use him on the floor. We got to hang courtside till about 8 mins left in warm ups. At one point, I was speachless for about 20 mins as I soaked in the whole atmosphere. It was so cool and I am so blessed that I had this chance.

Guest Announcers

Everyone knows how much I love Dick Vital and I was hoping to meet him but the night before I saw on ESPN that they were switching announcers and Vital would do the Spurs/ Jazz game that night. So we got the NBA guys and I'm sure that everyone knows who these guys are. They were pretty cool about taking the pics. I'm not actually taller than 6'1 Mark Jackson, I was standing on a step. Jeff didn't say a word other than "sure" to the pic and "thanks" when I told him that I loved his work. I heard on Sportscenter that night that Mark did a little Dickie V impression. It didn't sound that bad. We thought about getting a pic with Mike Beem but no one would know who the heck that guy is hahaha.

Basketball Heaven

So a dream of mind came true this past Wednesday. I went to what I now call Basketball Heaven, the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I owe this all to Dante Calla and his mom for hooking me up with this dream trip. I have more pics that I will post along with some comments on the entire experience but for now, this is me about 90 mins before game time. Right behind me is where some NBA announcers (who swapped with Dick Vital) will sit to announce the game on national tv. We actually got some pics with them (to be posted later)

Let's Get It Started

Hey Everyone

I've been thinking that I should have a blog cuz everyone else has one. Unfortunately I don't have any cameras to take pics or create vids. I think that it was Saint that told me to post thoughts and ideas. Most of you know that I've had a bit of tough luck over the last little while and I guess that I can use this to kind of document getting back on track. Most people feel better when they share what's going on in their mind and I know I do. This blog will be where I sound off on that and other things that I come accross. There will be lots of random thoughts and questions that I will pose to everyone out there and there will also be some experiences that I will share as well (like going to North Carolina, our Mobb journey to the Div 4 title). Please feel free to comment and/ or add to the discussion. So here goes nothing.....