For those of you who don't know, in addition to my duties as sports editor for The Spectator, I also have a first love: sports commentary. Last November, I was given the opportunity to do something I've always wanted to do. That is to accompany a basketball program as a play-by-play commentator on a street radio.
I have gotten to know both basketball programs well, but in this article I will outline the journey I have traveled with the VSU women's basketball program the most.
But before we dig deeper into the Lady Blazers, we wanted to give a shout out to the men's basketball program for allowing us to work with them again this season. I want to thank everyone from Coach Mike Helfer to the players on the court for making me feel like a part of the team.
Now, for those who don't know, our Lady Blazers had one of the best seasons in program history, but I think it may not be a 30-win season in the end. I remember when it happened.
I remember on my first road trip, when the Lady Blazers played their first conference opponent, the Lee University Flames.
Due to a lack of players and a great game from Molly Hampton, they lost the conference opener by a narrow margin.
Head Coach Deandra Schirmer, or Coach D as many of us know her, knows how much she loves the game of basketball and who can match her level of passion for her job? You know it's not there.
As I'm sure several Gulf South Conference officials can attest, the passion was evident at times. But one thing was always certain. That means she will fight for women no matter the circumstances.
I remember sitting in the scorer's chair wondering what questions to ask, but thankfully Coach D was a pro. She helped me get through her first on-air interview and got better as the season progressed.
One of the things I loved about Coach D was that she would coach a passionate 40 minute game and then come to the score table with me and watch the game as if she were watching the event. I was able to have a great conversation with you about this. .
Another thing I learned on these road trips is that the only person I can talk to as well as I can is Coach D. I say this in the nicest possible way. Hey, she'll be the first to tell you. During our road trip to Tennessee, she told me how glad she was to have someone to share this long journey with.
And one of those long trips happened to be in mid-December when we traveled to West Tennessee State to play against Christian Brothers and Union.
While in Memphis, we got to do two really cool things. First, we visited the museum at the Lorraine Hotel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
Next, on a lighter note, I ended up having some authentic Memphis BBQ, which I personally have always wanted to try.
After history, basketball, and barbecue in Memphis, while traveling east to Jackson, Tennessee, I was taking game notes for the next game when I thought, “Maybe the Union will get us.” I remember that.
All I can say is, “Hey, hey, I was wrong.”
We finished the game strong. As I recall, the only time we were behind in that game was when we were down 3-2 one minute into the game.
Now, let's remember that up until this point, the Union Bulldogs were undefeated and were a top-five ranked team in the country at the time. However, I personally think the Lady Blazers took full advantage of people's underestimation by racking up double-digit wins.
That was the moment I realized this team was real. That means they have enough talent to play against anyone. Because you don't just spend 10 hours on the road playing a top-five team and beat them by double digits by luck. It means you have something special.
After Christmas break, we were back on the road again, this time heading to the Rocket City of Huntsville to take on the University of Alabama Huntsville Chargers.
I remember a humorous moment when Coach D forgot to come to the postgame interview after a win and followed up by making me a b-line after the next game against West Alabama.
The interactions I had with the players were also memorable, and I still cherish them to this day.
One of our forwards, Victoria Ikenasio, or V as she prefers to be called, always got everyone excited. I never saw her frown.
I remember a game last season when she hurtled towards the floor. She was grinning from ear to ear all the way until it hit the floor and bounced off her.
I remember being on the bus from Huntsville to Livingston and V asking if I had seen anything at the sports center. Before we knew it, three hours later we were talking about everything under the sun.
Our first road trip was a very interesting journey that set the tone for the season.
As far as travel goes, it was a great opportunity to see the Gulf South Conference.
I love traveling and talking about sports, and some of my trips have been heavenly.
Some of them were long, but anyone who said the 9 hour bus ride to Mississippi was easy would be lying. For those who haven't been there, it's as flat as they say.
I remember chatting with the bus drivers, trying to keep them company on long rides.
Our trip to Mississippi was so amazing for so many reasons.
I remember the morning of the game. We ended up having breakfast at a small mom and dad's coffee shop, and the team cleaned up sausage, egg, and cheese biscuits.
It was a very close game for Delta State in the first half, and I remember subconsciously thinking, “Are we going to lose?''
The moment I knew we were going to win that game was when one of my top three favorite moments of the season happened. The Lady Blazers continued to make strides and with a five-point lead, India Jordan missed a DSU shot and started to move quickly in transition. She had a chance for a layup, but she made sure to sink the 3-pointer before stopping at the top of the arch and making a clapping motion with her hands to indicate to the defender that she had taken the shot.
It's moments like these that I sit back, enjoy, and think, “How lucky am I to even get paid for this?”
The trip to Pensacola was short, but still eventful.
Our assistant coach Alexis Ufman's mom surprised us at the hotel and helped the team participate in the “Family Friday” event, which was Family Feud that week.
The next day, despite trailing by double digits in the first quarter, the girls found a way to win against West Florida.
Our last trip was probably the best one because we started the trip against Montevallo, who were a solid team this year.
We went on to win that game by a wide margin, and it was great to see.
I even remember the last game we played together. When we went to Montgomery to play Auburn University in Montgomery, we continued to win convincingly.
But this game was special, not because of what happened on the court, but because of what happened in the postgame interview.
I always ask Coach D and Coach Helfer, “Do you have anything you'd like to say to the Blazer Nation coaches?” And while Coach D usually gives a shout out to the Blazer faithful and says “hello” to his mom, this night was a little different.
She went home and told everyone who would listen how much she had enjoyed taking the long journey with me, and how she hoped it would not be the last time we would travel together. Ta.
A little foreshadowing would reveal that it would be our last road trip.
I remember standing on the court at the Complex after the loss to Nova Southeastern and there wasn't a dry eye on the court. I remember as soon as she finished her postgame interview, Coach D came up to me and hugged me, and we both fought back tears.
I remember going to as many Lady Blazers as I could to console them after the heartbreaking loss. I could feel their pain.
But there was one thing I'll always remember after that game. It was V who was smiling in the front bleachers. Despite the heartache of her loss, which brought her great season to a premature end, she still remained positive. That's what everyone on this team has been taught to do.
Coach D, along with every player and coach on the staff, taught me the phrase “be a duck.”
This refers to the fact that while you may be pedaling as hard as you can below the surface, above the surface you appear calm, cool, and collected.
It was a lesson in the game of basketball, but more importantly, it was a lesson in the game of life.
Nevertheless, this was one of the best women's college basketball teams ever assembled.
To recap, they went 23-1 in conference play and 26-1 including the conference tournament, ending the year at 30-3 and hosting the NCAA Tournament's South Division, breaking the program's winning streak. did. 27 consecutive times.
There was no question in my mind that this team was made up of Trail Blazers. I was really happy to be able to participate.
Written by Sports Editor Jack Calhoun. Photo courtesy of VSU
