I can’t believe we had our first pre-season game, also referred to as a “friendly” game today! I haven’t played an organized game of basketball since March, so the initial thought of getting back on the court and playing in a live game was exhilarating! I felt like the (unofficial) start to the season was finally here! It still seems surreal to me that I played in my first Irish basketball game. Going into the game I felt prepared and ready to go seeing that the team and I practice every Wednesday and Friday night. It’s amazing to see how we have built team chemistry on the court in such a short amount of time, which has also allowed me to get a small taste of what Irish basketball is like. From getting adjusted to the style of play, a few unfamiliar drills in practice, and getting back into complete game shape, I feel I am finding my place and adjusting accordingly.
Going into the game I had the typical pre-game jitters, but by my first trip up and down the court, I felt right at home and at ease. It was also great to look into the stands and see the younger girls that I coach (U8, U10, U12 and U13) in the stands cheering for me, and being amazed by just about any play that I made. It really hit me that I am someone these young girls look up to, which makes my job coaching them even more special; and moments like that really back the sense of family and love from the Wildcats community that I have received since day one of arriving in Waterford.
It felt good to finally have my first Irish game under my belt, and my initial takeaway from the game was how different the physicality of the game was compared to how it is in America. Just about anything goes and the idea of “playing through the contact” really stands true. Overall, I really enjoyed the game experience gained a newfound sense of love for the game. This friendly game was a full serving of what to expect for this upcoming season, and I look forward to what is to come for us Wildcats! SN: It was great seeing and playing against fellow Victory Scholar Jess—friendly rivalries are always the best, and can’t wait to indulge in more when going up against other scholars’ teams.
