March 7, 2005
It couldn't have worked out any better. The season so far had come down to the most important 40 minutes I ever played in my life. The perfect setting: last home game, senior night, last conference game, last chance to break the single season attendance record, undefeated at home record to defend, and the first ever big 12 title at stake. With a list like that you really don't have to look hard for motivation and you really don't have to search for the perfect pre-game speech. So without making any dramatic, emotional, and inspiring sermon, we simply challenged each other and ourselves to finish the job.
That Thursday couldn't have come any sooner, we spent the whole week preparing for something that could have been one of the best feelings you have ever had, or one of the absolute worst. It was a thin line between the two because when two tough teams come together with so much at stake, you can't count your eggs before they hatch.
Going to class Thursday morning was almost pointless because I couldn't concentrate on anything but the game, all the things we talked about in scouting reports, the little things I needed to do for the team and things of that nature. Jordan (Davis) and I in our first class were passing notes about how excited we were! It was fun to walk on campus and have students stop you and wish you good luck and tell you how big a fan they are, but it only reminded me of how important this game was, which led me right back to all my excitement. My plan was to contain myself and treat this game like any other...talk about impossible. So after failing in that attempt, I went with the excited approach and used that to encourage myself and my teammates.
Finally we had shoot around and we released a little excitement by getting up and down the floor, when we left for our rest-in-room time I found I couldn't fall asleep, which is usually what I do. So I called a friend to talk and pass the time. When I got to the Ferrell Center for the game I learned that no one could sleep, Sophia and I talked about how weird it was not being able to take a nap. Not sure if that has happened to me before.
As we walked out on the court for the first time, it was awesome to see how many people were already there to cheer us on. Both student sections behind the goal were packed and oddly enough, there were no seats, just room to stand. That made me real excited! So we went through the normal routine before heading back to the looker room for the real thing. We made our entrance and as I ran through that curtain I couldn't stop smiling just looking into the stands and realizing we had 10,000 people behind us and what we were trying to do. Real comforting! So warm-up went well and as it went by we got more and more focused. The buzzer sounded and in honor of our seniors we lined up and down the carpet for senior night presentations. It was pretty emotional and you could see some of us trying to hold back how we really felt. I'm glad we did the presentations before the game because it was a little reminder of how much I care about my teammates and how bad I wanted to win that game for our senior class. And, knowing that if it was my last home game, I would want my team to do the same for me. So with that we ran back through the curtain, went through normal introductions and approached the center circle. Sophia and I had talked about how once the ball gets tipped all the nervousness, distractions, and doubt would be gone and we would be back to doing what we do best. And we couldn't have been more right! Steff (Blackmon) caught the ball and suddenly it was like we entered this zone where nothing else mattered but finishing what we started.
We jumped out on a 6-0 run and it was history from there. We never lost the lead although it was close a couple of times. We maintained our composure and calm throughout the whole situation. It was very physical and emotional, there is a lot of history between these two teams and we both had some things to prove! I won't go into detail about the game for the sake of being redundant but it was amazing. We were able to get Mel (Hammerly) in the game, which was awesome. I was very happy for her and her determination to get through four years here. We got Chelsea (Whitaker) and Steff subs and the opportunity to receive a well deserved standing O. As that final minute counted down and the crowd began to go crazy, for the first time since the jump ball, I found myself smiling from ear to ear again.
Jordan threw the ball up, the confetti came down, the stands cleared out and emotions sank in. It was so much to celebrate all at the same time it was like I didn't know where to start. I wanted to hug every last one of my teammates but I couldn't find them. Then I tried looking for my mom but that was borderline impossible. Then I remember seeing everyone on the scorers' table which was such an amazing feeling! I had seen teams do things like that on TV but I never thought I would be doing it myself one day... incredible feeling! Coach Mulkey made a speech and we were presented our trophy and flowers in a post game presentation. Then she got the traditional cooler poured on her before getting to cut down the net. It was all so very overwhelming and exciting and in one word ... PERFECT!
The fans were great, you were a part of history in so many ways, and it was completely appreciated. We gave Tech all they could handle in that arena in terms of the game and the atmosphere. We as a team and coaching staff hope you all realize just how important a factor you really are in the game of basketball, it is not a coincidence that we broke the single season attendance record and went undefeated at home this year. But, the bar has now been set concerning the Baylor fans, in that we expect no less from here on out! Seriously thought, that was amazing, it's a day Baylor women's basketball will never forget and everyone who was involved is greatly appreciated, from the cheerleader, mascots, concessions stands workers.... Everyone!
We finished the job for the most part but we still have more basketball to play. I think we are coming off our cloud a bit now and realizing that we still have more work to do. There's another opportunity in the near future to bring another championship back to Baylor and so with that, we head to Kansas City. It will be a fun week and I can't wait to see everyone who makes it out there. We will do our best to continue being the shining light of this university and all we ask in return is your continuing support (nothing says `I support you' like cookies) just kidding but seriously, it's not over and we are not finished with the whole job. Thanks again for everyone who made Thursday the most memorable night in Lady Bear history. See you in Kansas City.
- Chameka
