A nice chilled out morning again today with the girls getting up at 8am for a good brekky! I am not sure whether the coaches were excited or whether the girls were restless, but the morning walk went ahead slightly earlier today. It was a start like normal, and the girls were relaxed and happy.All having slept well and having a good night sleep.
The morning sort of got away without me, and not sure where the time went, but all of a sudden I needed to be ready, have morning tea on the table and get ready to head out the door. The girls have been keeping track of time, without a clock in the house and without their phones. Kids rarely wear watches as they use their phones for a clock often. We also pack a lunch today as the NSW Country boys play in their semi final straight after ours, so we are hanging around to lend our support to them too.
We get in the bus and the car and head in. The coach and I enjoy some tunes. We are the same age so grew up with the same music. So often the music selection is a subject of choice. Today we spoke about the Bangles - Eternal Flame as it came on the radio. Holler if you remember that one?? I have been sharing a little bit about my upbringing during these trips and had told stories about the strict rules about 'devil music' in the house as a kid and recalling that the Bangles was the first 'secular' music cassette tape I had ever owned. Our coaches 1st cassette was Belinda Carlisle - Heaven is a place on earth. I giggled. This banter has helped pass the time (and the nerves).
We arrive in plenty of time and this was the first game slot for the day. So we had heaps of time to get prepared and ready for the game.
A warm welcome and good luck from Danny Martinez again today. What a lovely bloke he is. Glad to have met him and to know who is at the helm of NSW Basketball. I have had such a ball meeting so many new people and making new acquaintances across the basketball community around Australia. How lucky am I? It's interesting though how there are some NSW supporters who have been here all week and are yet to say hi, or ever reciprocate a smile? Perhaps I am too scary........hahaha, for anyone that knows me would understand that this is VERY far from the truth. I'll have a chat with anyone. I am not sure who they, maybe I am supposed to? Being a fairly new comer to the basketball community (only 4 years or so) there are lots of people that I feel that you're expected to know........you know....so and so. I am clueless, but have met many other wonderful people in the NSW Country Basketball world who are awesome. Perhaps in time those others might actually befriend me, but until then, I'll just continue on with my managing and enjoy my time here with the girls.
We set up on the bench and the scene is set as we go up against QLD South. If we win this we are in the Gold Medal final. The girls get off to a good start and looking really good. We a nail biter till the end, finally going down by 1 point!!
Wow, so much to be proud of but the girls and coaching staff are bitterly disappointed. I simply cannot be, and continued to smile all the way through to the end. What a privilege it is to represent your state (even if it is filling drink bottles and washing towels) and can't possibly be upset with where we have gotten to so far. Considering there was an online article tipping that we would be playing off for the 9th-12th places. We certainly have shown them.
Our coach was brilliant and made sure that in the post game huddle told the girls to keep their heads up. He was proud of them too. Just didn't go our way today.
The up side is that I remembered the lollies at half time! Yay me!
The girls stretch down and soon they will face their parents for some love. There are definitely some tears today. And understandably so too. They are so invested in this. Even my daughter who has been helping me out throughout this time was sad. We've all had a part to play, no matter how big or small. But tomorrow is another day and the girls recover quickly as they take a seat together to support the boys.
We head home and start the long process of shower time. I love the girls but my goodness to get 10 girls showered and dressed can feel like an eternity! And we have 3 bathrooms, who knows.
I am doing the rounds of the house today and find the 2 of the girls have sneaked into the pantry (and closed the door) to raid my Tim Tam stash. Though I didn't realise what they were doing till they had to come out for their shower. Cheeky little monkeys, but seriously I love them all to pieces and can't be cross for long.
We have dinner soon after and the settle in for movie night. 'Blended' is the movie that we watch with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. They are a great pair on screen. Girls loved it, but just before its finished I realised that I haven't got any milk for breakfast so I tell the girls to finish the movie while I pop down the road. It's 9.30pm and thank goodness Woolworths is still open.
I am so pleased to be here with these girls. Lots of cuddles today, I think it is starting to register that it is all nearly over. All the girls can think of now is the final game and the last night together and if we can have a party. All I can think of is how the hell are we going to clean the bus and the house before we leave.
I couldn't possibly finish the blog today without one tip?
Tip #1: Be GRACIOUS is defeat, no matter what position in the team you are. Even the manager!
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