Even from a distance...

Life is funny sometimes, how, even when you really want to be one place, it is just more important to be another. When family is in need, though, you go. Recently, my father in law passed away, making it important for me to step away from my basketball family to be with the Thompson family in Florida. Despite the magnitude of Friday night's game against Hazelwood Central, life had me in Florida. It is in times like this that the true colors of a team show up...in times of adversity. Although I was 17 hours from the action, and I have never stepped foot into the gymnasium at Visitation, I was right there in the action. Leroy, our dedicated student manager/film guy, kept me up to date on the score, time and all of the game's action. I got to read about Jordan having 3 fouls in the first (the pacing began), I heard about Erin playing well (I sat back down and bragged to family about you!) and eventually I heard about a huge 3 from Jordan and the Statesmen pulling out the victory! My best moment was the call from the locker room, listening to hoots and hollers of joy and pride. Coach Perkins' excitement was obvious and I could hear the smiles through the phone. Up until this moment, we'd started to wonder who we were as a team...that night, I think they felt who they really are.
So, despite promises to return for Sunday's game with Cor Jesu, life played another funny game. For the second straight big game, I was absent from seeing my 10 favorite chicks play. Stuck at home with food poisoning, I couldn't even think about the game until midway through the 3rd, when my dude Leroy continued back with updates. Talk about a nail-biter! I heard Leah played well in the paint, I heard Jordan had 4 fouls, but stayed cool and finished out the game as the floor general. The announcer at the tournament said that a 13 seed has never made it this far!
So, next Sunday, the 26th, we will play the winner of St. Joe and Kirkwood in the semi-final. From a distance, the girls have looked great and showed what they're capable of. I am confident they'll do the same when we come together again next week.
I'm so proud of you, ladies. Keep working hard!
Enjoy the holidays, Statesmen fans.