September 10th, 2015 | Uncategorized
I had so much fun at my first tournament with the ITC Basketball team. It was a bit odd to meet my teammates for the first time a half hour before our games began, but it was also exciting to watch our team chemistry build from game to game.
I had heard a lot about the physicality of the game here, but I don’t think I was fully prepared for it. Although some of the women I was playing against may not have been trained as extensively in basketball skills as my opponents in college were, most of them are used to playing more physical sports. These are women who feel at home on a Gaelic football pitch, or play Camogie. Needless to say, I got a bit banged up. After my last game of the weekend, I messaged the above picture to my mother and asked “Can you please send me my knee pads?!”
It was great to get back out on the court in a uniform, this time representing a new school – and wearing a new number! I have been #11 on every team I’ve played on, but I will be wearing #14 this year. This seemingly small shift actually seems really important to me. I’ll always identify with #11, but I think this change represents an opportunity to redefine myself as a player, and even as a person, this year. I think that this new #14 will be someone who is more comfortable taking risks, meeting new people, studying a new subject, and being a leader.
Victory Scholar: Lillian McCabe
Present University: IT Carlow
US League: Atlantic 10
Club/Community Partner: ITC Basketball
Alma Mater: Davidson College
Sponsored by: Teamwear Ireland
