Sports Journal December 22-28, 2018

12-22-18

The Aggie Men’s Basketball team was in Las Vegas to take on the Drake Bulldogs for a tournament on Saturday.  They were playing at the Orleans Arena, which is the home of the WAC Championship tournament.  The Aggies had the most fans there for their team, as they often do for the WAC tournament.  Jack Nixon interviewed AD Mario Moccia before the game.  Mario had been listening to the girls playing in Miami earlier in the week.  He described that first game (12-20-18) as a “gut-punch.”  For the second game (12-21-18), he was amazed by Brooke Salas’ performance and called her afterward.

First Half

The Aggies went down 0-7 before they took their first shot.  AJ Harris would get a three to pull the team to within 13-16.  But, the Aggies were committing too many fouls, giving up too many turnovers, and not shooting well in general.  The team was particularly frustrated trying to score inside.  They were out-rebounding Drake 19-6, so they were hustling.  It was 25-35 Drake at the half.

During halftime, Jack interviewed a couple of NM State grads who were working in Vegas.  One of them was a bookie.  He’d accurately predicated nation-wide legalized spread-betting last year.  So far, one Indian casino in New Mexico was doing it.  They lost big on their opening weekend though, because of a bunch of upsets.  He questioned them not taking bets on New Mexico teams.  He said that was actually the only way to prove the integrity of the betting.  Vegas does it with their local teams.  It was a short, but interesting discussion.

Second Half

“The Aggies are playing their worst game of the year, frankly,” said Jack.  I had just about zoned-out of listening to the game.  The Aggies went down by 15.  With about eight minutes left, I finally started paying attention as they started making a comeback and got to 43-48 Drake. 

Terrell Brown started taking over with about three minutes left, as he dropped a three to make it, 50-54.  Drake answered with an immediate three, 50-57.  Brown sank another three, 53-57, then a steal by AJ and a Johnny McCants’ layup, 55-57.  The mostly Aggie crowd was cheering.  Drake answered with a dunk, 55-59.  Brown came right back with a steal and his own dunk, 58-59.  Does this sound exciting yet?

Drake put in three, 58-62.  AJ got a layup, 60-62, with under a minute left.  Drake came back with a jumper, 60-64.  Brown put in another three, 63-64, with 23 seconds left.  He hadn’t made one in three games before this.  The Aggies trapped twice and forced timeouts.  14 seconds left, the Aggies intentionally fouled, but Drake failed to score on a free throw.  With seconds left, Brown was turned away at the rim.  The Aggies fouled trying to get the ball.  Drake sank both shots, 63-66, which was the final.  The last Aggie pass was stolen to end the game.

Admittedly, the Aggies didn’t deserve to win this one, but this was one too many heartbreaks in one week for me.  I’d almost wished for a straight blowout.  The Aggies shot just 30%, but were 42 to 23 in rebounds.  They had 15 turnovers, but only three in second half.  Drake also had 15 turnovers.  Terrell Brown finished with 17 points.  Ivan Aurrecoechea had 10 rebounds.  He was frustrated by Drake’s interior defense for the whole game.  Coach Jans wanted to be mad in the postgame, but his team had played too hard at the end for him not to feel kind of proud.  He’d be staying to watch next game to see which opponent they’d be facing tomorrow.

12-23-18

The consolation game for Aggie Men’s basketball was scheduled to start late in Las Vegas, 8:00pm MST.  I puzzled over this.  When I tuned in, the championship game was still going between Drake and San Diego.  Thinking about it, I guess it’s more advantageous to the winners to get to go first and head home for Christmas Eve earlier.

Anyway, the game went into overtime.  Jack Nixon, having some familiarity with the players went ahead and started calling the game.  What a pro!  He referred to it as, “Christmas bonus coverage.”  At the end of OT, a free throw tied it, but the player missed the next shot and sent it to double OT.   Jack chuckled at this unforeseen circumstance.  110-103 Drake was the final, as they took tourney championship.  Three players fouled out before the end.

The Aggies would be playing the Washington State Cougars for the second time this season (12-1-18).  It was a bit of a quirk in scheduling.  Before AD Mario Moccia came on, he saved Jack from being hit with a ball.  When asked if Mario had shopped for his wife, he said, “That’s what December twenty-fourth is for.”

 

First Half

The crowd for the game given the late start, that it wasn’t for the championship, and neither team was local was described as “light.”  Jack counted it at 50 Aggie fans, 30 WS fans, and 200 curious onlookers.  I wonder how many Aggie fans would be staying up late to listen to all of the game in Las Cruces? 

Unlike the game yesterday, the Aggies came out shooting well.  Jojo Zamora had a pair of early three’s.  It was 14-6 Aggies when WS took a timeout.  Zamora hit a couple more three’s to drive up the score to 30-17.  For his twenty-first point of the half, he put in another three.  Jack said Jojo was shooting it like he was “Allergic to leather.”  The Aggies got a layup at the buzzer for a 41-31 halftime lead.

Jack talked to Nicole Sacks, director of marketing, during the break.  She gave an update on the Toys for Tots drive.  They said about 4,000 kids would be taken care of for Christmas. 

Second Half

WS made a comeback early, prompting a timeout at 47-43 Aggies.  About halfway through, the Cougars tied it at 54 and then went ahead.  From there, the lead went back-and-forth between the teams.  WS finally went up by four, 61-65, with five minutes left.

Under two minutes left, Zamora got a steal and an assist to Eli Chuha, who laid it in.  CJ Bobbit came up with a big block the next time down.  Terrell Brown made a bank shot to put the Aggies back up, 70-67, with under a minute left.  WS took a one-point lead on a layup, 70-69.  Eli answered with a layup, 72-69.  Then a big three for the Cougars, and we were tied at 72.  14 seconds left, somehow WS left Zamora alone behind the arc, where he buried another three.  With one second left, Bobbitt got a steal to end it.  75-72 Aggies! 

What a game!  Let’s hear it for Jojo Zamora: 28 points and only missed two shots.  This team is still hard to figure out, since they’ve had so many different players stepping up in different games.  The key for this team would seem to be finding out who has the hot hand that night and keep feeding them the ball.

12-28-18

I had some bad news over Christmas.  One, Schlotzsky's closed down.  The employees there had been told it was going to be remodeled early next year.  That was such a great place to eat before and after games.  I think losing the ice cream may have killed the place, but that may have been an effect, rather than the cause of its closing.  With the loss of the Dairy Queen there years ago, now there’s just McDonalds close by.  Err. 

Two, after looking at the just released Softball schedule more carefully, I noticed that the WAC Softball tourney was going to be held in Phoenix this year.  Since the Aggies had won last season, I was looking forward to seeing the tournament here again (or alternatively, dreading it because of the conditions there).  The move will help GCU and maybe some other schools that are closer to Arizona, but not me or the team (certainly it’s not going to be cooler and more pleasant there than here).  Bah. 

For tonight, the Aggie Women’s Basketball team was in California to play the UC-Riverside Highlanders.  They’d be playing in the SRC, the Student Rec Center, where intramural games are played by the students.  Brooke Salas was from nearby Palcentia.  She had about 20 friends and family there, so the Aggies got a good round of applause during the intros. 

I stuck with Adam Young and the Aggie radio called, though I pulled up a video feed by UCR.  It was being broadcast there on municipal TV.  I couldn’t bring up any live stats for the game.  I didn’t realize at the time that that meant Adam didn’t have access to the stats either.  His producer next to him was keeping score by hand.   

The Highlanders are a nice-looking team, but that didn’t help them in the first quarter.  Brooke came out scoring early for the Aggies’ first five points.  Others on the team got involved, and the Aggies went on a run to make it 20-12 late.  Brooke hit a three for her twelfth point.  Aaliyah Prince got a block and a layup at the buzzer for 25-14 Aggie lead.

Starting in the second quarter, UCR started making a comeback.  Thanks to some “cherry-picking” (staying back on a defensive rebound), the Highlanders got a couple of layups in a row to make it 27-19.  Brooke picked up a couple fouls of early on and had to come out along with Adenike Aderinto.  The Aggies floundered and UCR got ahead 36-39 at the half.

Brooke was still firing when she came out for the third quarter, but had to play careful on defense.  42-50 and still trailing, Coach Atkinson got a technical for arguing a non-call on Brooke getting hit in the lane.  “You guys suck!”  That came over Adam’s microphone.  I think that was someone in the crowd.  I hope it wasn’t a coach.  UCR converted on both free throws.  Tayelin Grays scored five points off bench for the Aggies to close it up to 47-52.  Brooke picked up her third foul on a charge and came out again with under two minutes.  It was 48-54 UCR after three quarters.

The Aggies started chipping into the lead in the fourth quarter with their zone defense working well.  Monique Mills hit a three with seven minutes left, 55-56.  Brooke made a free throw to tie at 56, however she was shooting 50% on free throws tonight.  Brooke then came up with a steal and a layup for a 58-56 Aggie lead.  She got another steal at halfcourt and another layup, 62-58.

Unfortunately, UCR hit a three and another jumper to retake the lead, 61-62.  Brooke was hit on nose by an elbow on a box out.  While the refs reviewed the video to see if it was a flagrant foul, that cute little blonde trainer went over to Brooke to help her stop the bleeding.  The foul wasn’t called flagrant.  With under three minutes, Brooke made a nice pass inside to Nike for a layup, 64-63 Aggies. 

UCR retook the lead 64-65 late.  Gia was blocked on a shot.  Brooke got hammered in lane on a triple team.  Nike got fouled and missed both free throws.  With under 30 seconds, the Aggies missed a shot and tried to foul.  It ended up being a jump ball to Aggies with five seconds left.  They lost the ball.  There was some more referee comedy that was too hard to keep up with, but time eventually expired.  UCR won 64-65.  Unbelievably, nobody scored at the end for over a minute.    

There were some really questionable calls and non-calls, but you can’t complain too much about the officiating; about half the time it was working for the Aggies.  Coach Atkinson seemed stunned again after another one-point loss.  This time, they lost an 11-point lead in ten minutes and never really recovered.  The coach pinned it on letting up on defense.  She didn’t apologize for that technical foul.  Those two points did actually matter.  Adam started losing his voice during the postgame.  I hope he takes care of that.

Brooke Salas had another stellar game with 22 points, six rebounds, and seven steals. Her getting into foul trouble and having trouble with foul shots really shouldn’t be that big a deal, except for at the moment, she’s nearly the whole team.  The other girls have got to step up.  The team is still missing a point guard because of injuries.  Gia Pack is filling in, which I think is hurting her offense.  Maybe Prince could do it?  She looks like a point guard.  Have to teach her how to pass first.  

Artifacts: A VISIT FROM SAINT NICHOLAS (ROBOTECH STYLE)

I wrote this somewhere in the 80's.  I posted it somewhere in the 90's.  I swear I saw it re-posted somewhere else later.  In any case, I've been working on a Robotech-like game most of this year (and getting frustrated all to hell by it), so let's post this here since its seasonally appropriate.    

                                                      

By J. Harris

T'was the night before Christmas,

And all through the fortress,

Not a creature was stirring,

Not even a "Miserable Micronian."

The stockings were hung

By the veritechs with care,

In hopes the Zentraedi

Would not attack there.

Dana and Zor nestled

All snug in their bed,

While visions of protoculture

Danced in their heads.

And Lisa in her jumpsuit,

And Rick in his "thinking cap,"

Had just finished arguing

Before a long winter's nap.

When out on the deck

There arose such a row,

Rick hit the alarm

And leapt running across the floor.

Away to the controls

He flew like a flash,

Started up the gun batteries

And got ready to blast.

The moon on the breast

Of a Flower of Life field,

Gave luster to Invid

Harvesting their yield.

When what to his wandering

Radar should appear,

But a giant battlecruiser

With eight fighters coming near.

With a mean old pilot

So nasty and decrepid,

Rick knew in a moment

It must be Khyron, the Fetid.

More rapid than Alphas

His fighters they came,

And he yelled and shouted

And called them by name:

"Now Regis, Now Sera!

  Now Bron and Rico!

On Korg, On Breetai!

  On Exedore and Karno!"

"To the top of the Daedalus,

  Pass the barrier wall!

Now smash away, smash away,

  Smash away all!"

And late holiday shoppers

Upon the streets of Macross,

Ran for the shelters

As Khyron flew 'cross.

So up the bridge top

The bad guys flew,

With a cruiser full of missiles

And the Backstabber too.

And then in a second

Rick beard on the 'com,

The blast and explosion

Of each huge bomb.

As Rick put on his flight suit

And was turning around,

In through the airlock

Khyron came with a bound.

He was dressed all in armor

From bottom to top,

And his protection was marred

With laser blasts and mud spots.

A bundle of missiles

He had flung on his back,

And he looked like a bomber

Just emptying it's rack.

The Bridge Gang acted

As soon as it heard,

A delay caused only by the Captain's belated "Immediately" word.

Hunter ran to his 'tech

And pulled the transforming stick,

As Lisa and Minmei came to him

And yelled "Oh Rick!"

Zor Clones and cyclones,

Hovertanks and pods,

Fought in pitched battle

As the night wore on.

But then from the distance

There came a flying sled,

With old Kris Kringle

And his reindeer at the head.

The fighting all ceased

And the combatants stood aghast,

As inside the sleigh

Santa threw out his ballast.

Out fell the gifts;

There was plenty for all,

Even to Khyron

Did one fall.

A boyfriend for Annie,

A piano to Bowie,

A Rick doll to Minmei,

And Minmei dolls for the Zentraedi.

To Khyron came a bat

Which he used on Rick,

Rick got a blaster

And shot him to bits.

His mission completed,

Santa quickly left the crowd,

As they played with their presents

And said goodbye with riotous sound.

The sleigh driver exclaimed

As he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all,

And to all peace tonight!"

Sports Journal December 20-21, 2018

12-20-18

The Aggie Women’s Basketball team was in Miami to play the 9-0 South Alabama Jaguars for the FIU tourney.  Adam Young sounded happy to be there.  He said it was nice in south Florida today.  They’re playing in the Ocean Bay Convocation Center.  (I just like saying that.  Nobody uses “Convocation” to name arenas.)  Adam said there were palm trees and an ocean design on the court. 

Adam referred to the opposition as “USA,” University of South Alabama.  Obviously from their record, they’re a good team.  They beat Alabama earlier this season.  For the Aggies, point guard Didi Echols was wearing a boot and didn’t play earlier this week.  They’re hopeful she’ll be okay soon.  I was listening to the game at home over the radio, so it pretty much had my full attention (as opposed to watching games at work).

First Quarter

Aggies went up 7-0 to start.  USA was playing a bit nervous, but Aggies were racking up some fouls.  The Jaguars came back with a couple of three’s.  One girl got her first three all year.  Adenike Aderinto picked up two early fouls and went out.  USA went on an eight-point run, but Monique Mills hit a three to make it 10-8 Aggies at the first media timeout.

 

Kennedy Centers came in for the Jaguars.  She’s the daughter of NFL player, Larry Centers.  Antoinette Lewis, also on the Jags, was a huge force inside.  She was getting fouled a lot since she’s bad at shooting free throws, along with the rest of the team.  USA did took the late lead on a steal, a basket, and a foul shot to make it 15-17 Jaguars.

Second Quarter

The Aggies went to a zone defense to start, which stymied the Jags.  Brooke made a move for a layup to tie.  Then she got a steal and an assist to Aaliyah Prince for a 19-17 Aggie lead.  Later, Brooke was fouled and made one of two.  She’s still having problems with free throws.  The lead went back and forth for much of the quarter.  Gia Pack took a hard fall.  She wasn’t able to get back down on defense, but was in position after a quick turnover to attempt a shot.  She was fouled and made one of two.  Lewis was rebounding very well for the Jags with eight.  However, she was 1-6 on free throws.  

Brooke was fouled and made one of two again.  Prince was fouled and did the same.  Harsh mandatory free throw practice for everyone.  1,000 made free throws over Christmas.  Brooke picked up her second foul late and had to come out, but Lewis did the same to keep it even.   

There had been a minor clock issue earlier.  Mo was fouled and hit the first throw, but the second made shot was waved off for clock issues.  (I’m confused too.)  The ref’s made her reshoot it, which she did, which tied the game at 27.  There were more clock issues on the inbounds that forced another do-over.  Gia hit a pair of free throws and Mo made two more to make it 31-27 Aggies at the half.  Some good defense by the Aggies at the end stopped the Jags on their final possession.

Third Quarter

Adam tallied up a bunch of fouls on both teams in the first half.  It seemed like all of the starters had two.  USA went 2-9 on foul shots.  Nike got an early layup to make it 33-27.  The Mills sisters kept it in family with an assist for a layup to make it 35-29.  Dominique Mills made a pair of free throws for a 37-29 lead.  Kalei Atkinson got a block on Lewis. 

   

USA made a comeback on a couple of three’s by Savannah Jones.  Mo was called for an intentional foul, which cut the lead to one.  Jones made her other third three to give the Jags the lead, 37-39, on a 10-0 run.  Brooke got a layup to tie it.  Gia made a pair of free throws.  Nike picked up her third foul and came out.  Gia made two more free throws.  Gia is excused from harsh mandatory free throw practice.  It was 45-45 after three quarters.

Fourth Quarter

USA blew a wide open layup at the start of the quarter.  That was the second time in the game that that happened.  Kaeli fouled Lewis, who actually made three of her last four free throws.  Kaeli came down and hit a three to keep the Aggies in front, 50-48.  Nike picked up her fourth foul and had to come out again.  

52-54 USA had the lead with under five minutes to play.  Brooke missed a wide-open three, as her defender had lost her shoe.  (I keep seeing this happen. Are kids not being taught how to tie their shoes anymore?)  Gia hit a three to tie it 55-55.  Kaeli took a charge from Lewis.  I took a look at Lewis online later.  They’re close in height, but nowhere near close in bulk.  Kalei was pretty brave there.

Adam started losing his voice a bit from making excited calls.  Brooke got a layup and then a pair of free throws after foul.  Lewis picked up her fourth foul after hitting Brooke on a rebound.  This put the Aggies in the bonus.  The Aggies got two more free throws to go up by four.  Brooke got a steal.  She tried to get an assist to Dominique under the basket, but D (she needs a nickname) tried to pass it back.  The ball was stolen and USA hit a three.  The Aggies were up by one with 50 seconds left.

Mo got a layup on an assist by Brooke up to go up three with 29 seconds left.  Brooke got a steal and was fouled.  I think Lewis fouled out at that point.  The drama was taking over the play calling on the radio.  Brooke made both free throws.  Okay, blondie, you’re excused from harsh mandatory free throw practice too.  It was 65-60 Aggies with 19 seconds left.

USA scored, 65-62.  USA stole the inbounds pass by Dominique.  The Jags got fouled and made both free throws, 65-64 with five seconds left.  Props to Coach Atkinson, she had Dominique make the inbounds pass again.  Gia was fouled and made both shots, 67-64.  Oh, boy.  This is hard.  With four seconds left, Jones made an off balance three, 67-67 . . . and was fouled by Mo.  As bad as the Jags were on free throws as a team, Jones was actually good at it.  She made it for a 67-68 Jaguars win.  The Aggies had two seconds, but couldn’t get a shot off. 

Well.  That was disappointing.  Exciting, but disappointing.  I’m glad I wasn’t watching.  Adam described the team as being in shock after that three.  In the postgame interview, Coach Atkinson was nearly speechless.  What can you say?  The team played its heart out.  I’m sure if there was a strategy issue, the coach would have taken the blame to keep the girls from being demoralized. 

There were maybe three bad plays at the end that may have turned it, but really the Jags hung in there and made a great/lucky shot.  In my personal opinion, the refs were favoring the Jags ever so slightly throughout the game.  The Aggies got a couple of breaks, but the Jags seemed to be favored from what I was hearing. 

Brooke Salas and Gia Pack had double-doubles to lead the Aggies.  Their lines were similar, but, as Adam said, Brooke put the team on her back at the end.  I don’t blame them, but I felt like giving the Mills sisters a hug after the game.  I hope their teammates and the coach will pick them up.  Your unfair stat of the game: Aggies 27-31 on free throws, 12-23 for USA and they won it on a free throw.

An hour later, the UTEP Miner women were taking on the Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks.  I missed the story about their name, but they do have the permission of the Marines to use it.  Steve Kaplowitz was in Las Vegas with the team calling the game.  I was busy during this game and a bit depressed from the last game, not to mention I wasn’t going to be able to listen to whole game before going to work.  So, I wasn’t paying as close of attention.  I also wasn’t as familiar with the players either to keep up with the action.

Katarina Zec got the first points of the game with a three.  I was pleased with that.  UTEP was up for most of the quarter, but WI went on a late run to close it up and take the lead.  Jordan Alexander hit a three to tie it at 19-19 at the end of the quarter.  UTEP was shooting well in the second quarter, but kept turning the ball over, which was keeping WI in it.  Kappy caught a loose ball at the media table.  He was glad a WI player didn’t dive over the table for it, as that might have knocked them off the air.  There were three turnovers on the last play.  It was 39-36 UTEP at the half.  While it was their highest-scoring half of the season, the Miners also had 15 turnovers.

I missed all of the third quarter getting to work.  When I got settled in, I found a video feed of the game on the Internet.  I almost wished I hadn’t.  The venue wasn’t exactly glamorous for being in Las Vegas.  It looked like they were playing in a vacant lot behind a building.  UTEP had had as much as a 20-point lead, but it got whittled down to 8 after a 12-point run by WI.  When I started watching, I saw Kat get hit on the head trying to get a rebound.  Her knee was also pretty wrapped up.  The Miners would hold on for an 84-72 win to break their eight-game losing streak.  Zuzanna Puc led the team with 24 points.  I’d seen her picture before, but I didn’t realize how tall she is.  I thought she was a little guard.

12-21-18

Unlike the Men’s team after their hard-to-take loss to Kansas (12-8-18), the Aggie Women’s Basketball team would be right back out to play within 24 hours after their heartbreaking loss yesterday.  I’m not sure it really affects team play either way, but certainly it has to be better for the players’ psyches.  For the consolation game, the Aggies would be playing the Alcorn State Lady Braves.  They are not a good team, to the tune of only having one win this season (versus a DII team) and having 11-straight losing seasons. 

First Quarter

As this was a morning game, I was able to listen to it at home.  There was a small crowd there in Miami for the game, but the girls for both teams were making a lot of noise by themselves.  Brooke Salas started off the game energetically with three blocks.  I noticed Monique and Dominique Mills getting fed the ball a lot early.  Maybe it was intentional by the other players or maybe it was just coincidence.  The Aggies got a couple more blocks, but they were shooting poorly, which kept the game close.  They would get warmed up and go out to an 11-6 lead, but it would be 15-12 Aggies after ten minutes. 

Brooke already had four points, five blocks and rebounds.  The Braves were up 10 to 3 in offensive rebounds.  The Aggies seemed sluggish according to that stat.  Also, the refs were calling a loose game and letting little things go.  This was likely to just move the game along so that the championship game next started on time. 

Second Quarter

The game continued to be close in the second.  Gia Pack got a behind-the-back assist to Brooke on a fast break for a layup.  She also made a hip shot three.  She’s a future Globetrotter.  Brooke was up to seven blocks.  But the Braves kept steady.  Troublingly, the Aggies allowed an uncontested coast-to-coast layup.  The Braves tied it at 29 with under two minutes.  Alcorn St then took a 29-31 lead.  Their bench was going crazy. 

Brooke made a three to get the Aggies back in the lead.  The Braves tied it on a free throw at 32, which was the score at the half.  The Aggies had 10 blocks total.  Brooke had seven of them.  She also had 12 points and 7 rebounds.  The team was shooting 40%.  However, Alcorn St was up 28-16 in rebounds.

Third Quarter

Both teams came out fouling.  There were clock issues again halting the action.  Finally, the Aggies started scoring and went up nine, 44-36, with six minutes left.  Timeout Braves.  The Aggies kept it up and stretched it out to a 15-point lead.  A Braves player hit the shot clock on top of the goal.  Adam Young, calling the game, was amazed.  He’d never seen that before.  The Braves took another timeout to admire it.  Brooke got a steal and a layup for her 20-th point.  56-45 Aggies after three quarters.     

Fourth Quarter

Alcorn St made a comeback to get the deficit down to single digits, 58-50, with seven minutes left.  Brooke passed down to Adenike Aderinto on a fast break that led to free throws.  She was looking for Nike on those plays about three times in this game.  Brooke was taking over on taking shots and getting her own rebounds.  Gia got a steal and breakaway layup.  The Aggies went up 16 after a Brooke free throw.  Alcorn St was still getting offensive rebounds and fighting it out to the last second, even intentionally fouling.  Brooke got a block on next to last play.  Aggies win 82-64.

How about this stat line for Brooke Salas: 32 points, 22 rebounds, 11 blocks.  She tied a school record for blocks.  It was the first triple-double since the 90’s for the team.  On the team Twitter feed later, a Lobo journalist and the Oregon Ducks gave Brooke a shout out.  See, this is what happens when you stayed out of foul trouble, like you have the last two games.  Gia Pack had 16 and Dominique Mills had 13.  That was good to see.  The Aggies need multiple double-digit scorers. 

The team also went 21-23 on free throws.  Mandatory harsh free throw training over Christmas is canceled.  The Braves did have 33 offensive rebounds and were +12 overall in rebounds, so Aggies need to work on that.  I feel like a broken record, but I have praise Brooke again.  The team came out flat.  Brooke hustled and willed them into the game.  She’s really showing some great leadership.  She just needs to get everyone motivated and involved out on the court.

Later in the evening in Las Vegas, the UTEP Miner ladies played the Akron Zips.  Wait.  I thought the Aggies just played Akron?  No, that was Alcorn State.  My bad.  (It’s all running together.)  Work was a bit frustrating, even more so because I couldn’t really watch or listen to this game (not to mention the KROD radio call was way out of sync with the video, but I wanted the Miner game call).  The Zips had a slim lead for most of the game.  The Miners would tie or briefly go ahead at times, but the Zips had it in hand by the very end and won 64-57.

Of note from what I saw, a player crashed in to Steve Kaplowitz’s broadcast table.  You could hear the crash, but Kappy stayed on the air.  Katarina Zec now has both knees wrapped up.  I saw her score the last points of the first half that got the Miners within one.  A few Miner fans were there; they follow the team around.  One player, Ariona Gill, is from Vegas.  Her family there was finally able to watch her play.  Coach Baker said that was one of the reasons why he put this tourney on the schedule.  That is super nice of him.

Sports Journal December 12-19, 2018

12-12-18

The Aggie Coaches Show was on at the same time today as the UTEP Women’s Basketball Coach’s show, but on different radio stations.  Normally, there wouldn’t be a conflict for me, but I heard it announced beforehand that they’d interviewing Katarina Zec on the UTEP team.  Well, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to actually hear my favorite opposing player speak.   

I heard a bit of UTEP’s Coach Baker while flipping back-and-forth between the shows.  He was trying sound upbeat, but UTEP was on a seven-game losing streak.  Steve Kaplowitz asked him about their upcoming Christmas road trip.  Baker said that coaches love scheduling trips in December after finals, since there’s no interference with school work, and they can work out the team as much as they want.

Player Jordan Alexander was interviewed first.  She mentioned that they practice against a team of men, as I think as most college women’s teams do.  “They are bigger, stronger, faster, and quicker than we are.”  Honestly, that statement surprised me coming from a female college student-athlete.  (You might get a different answer from a non-athlete female college student.)  “They don’t take it easy on us,” she said.  Jordan seemed really nice.   

Kat was up next.  Squee!  (I sounded like a schoolgirl.)  She has an Eastern European accent from being from Serbia, but sounded very American from what she said.  The nerdy glasses she wears when not playing are not for fashion.  Kat is a Bio-Chem major and therefore, a nerd (but a hot one).  Her parents want her to get a degree in the field and a job, but she hopes to play pro ball.  Kat is embarrassed that she likes to sleep in, instead of getting up early to practice.  Well, she needs her beauty sleep.  Before she came on, Kappy asked Jordan to give some personal information about Kat.  She said Kat was a dancer.  Kappy got Kat to promise to do a dance on court if she hits a game-winner.  That was worth missing the Aggie show for, but thankfully they posted the part I missed on Twitter later.

12-17-18

After a nine-day layoff, the Aggie Men’s Basketball team was back in action at home versus the Northern Colorado Bears.  I’m sure they’ve been aching to get back out playing after just losing to Kansas (12-8-18).  Coach Jans was just hoping the team wouldn’t have a letdown playing this game. 

Unfortunately, I was pretty busy with work while the game was on and wasn’t able to really listen.  The Aggies got a new player, Trevelin Queen, who had been academically ineligible, but was able to get on the team after an appeal.  He came in for some spot play. 

In the first half, the Aggies led reasonably comfortably, though after nine turnovers about halfway through, the Bears got within single digits.  “Just keep turning the ball over, guys!”  The coach was standing close enough to Jack Nixon’s microphone for that to go out over the air.  “The coach is sometimes a bit sarcastic,” Jack felt like he had to say something after that.  It was 41-24 after 20 minutes.

During halftime, Las Cruces’ own boxing champ, Austin Trout, came on.  The boxing-crazy girlfriend of one of my co-workers hates him from some reason.  He’s pretty charming.  I’m sure if she met him, she’d like him.  Trout has a gig to start calling fights on cable, but he is not retired.  He’s going to try fighting in a lower weight class. 

I had even less time to listen in the second half.  I heard Jack say, “Temper, temper,” to the Northern Colorado coach after he got a technical, but I don’t even know what caused it.  The Aggies won 74-62.  They seemed a bit undisciplined at times, but might have been some rust after the long layoff.  Ivan Aurrecoechea scored 20 and Eli Chuha had 18 to lead the team.  They had 19 turnovers, but were 51% in shooting.

12-18-18

The Aggie Women’s Basketball team began their holiday road trip playing the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islanders.  This was the Islanders’ biggest home matchup of the year (they’d played Texas Tech in Lubbock), so they were up for it.  The game was even being broadcast on local TV there (and over the Internet where I was watching it).  This was more-or-less because this game was part of a double header with their Men’s team playing afterward.  A pair of professional announcers were working the game, but there was no time and scoring on screen, so I had to keep a separate screen open with the scoring on it.

I picked up the game right after I got to work about halfway through the first quarter.  The announcers really liked Brooke Salas.  It’s always so satisfying to hear the opposing team’s announcers praising your players.  Her and Adenike Aderinto were doing well in a high-scoring first.  The Aggies were trailing 18-24 after ten minutes.  I saw that the Aggies were still committing too many unforced turnovers, as they were against the Lobos (12-15-18). 

I was at work, so my watching was a bit distracted.  It was 33-35 Islanders at the half.  In the third, the Aggies went down by at least six.  Brooke missed a couple of free throws after a foul.  The announcers and myself were surprised, though she’s had trouble shooting them this season.  But, the Aggies came back.  Stabresa McDaniel tied it at 44 with a three.  She hit another to put them up 47-44. 

Oops.  Puppy break!  Someone brought a puppy into work.  I got no work or basketball-watching done for about 20 minutes.  It was time well spent.  (Poor dog.  She got sick after she was taken home.  She was treated for parvo the next day and is still receiving treatment.)  I got back to the game late in the fourth quarter.  Nike hit two free throws to give the Aggies a four-point lead, 64-60, with under a minute left. 

Gia Pack was intentionally fouled with seconds left.  She made both to keep the Aggies at a four-point lead.  The Islanders came right back down and hit a three.  The Aggies held a one point with just under four seconds left.  Brooke was fouled.  The announcers told her to make the first and intentionally miss the second, so that the Islanders wouldn’t be able to get off a set play.  Brooke missed the first and made the second.  I don’t know what say here.  With one second left, the Islanders weren’t able to get a shot off on the inbounds.  I’d like to tell you how dramatic those last seconds of this close game were, but in reality it took about ten agonizing minutes to play out.

67-65 Aggies was our final.  Adenike Aderinto led the Aggies with 18.  Brooke Salas had 16 (and she really needs to work on her free throws).  Stabresa McDaniel had 10.  Gia Pack did everything today with 9 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals.  The Aggies led in offensive rebounds, but the Islanders had a better shooting percentage.  We were warned that the Islanders’ coach could be a bit rough in his team evaluations, but he seemed pleased with his teams’ performance in the postgame interview.  The coach thanked the announcer for broadcasting the game, saying it really helps to promote them.

12-19-18

One last Aggie home game for this year, and I actually got to watch most of it.  Tonight, the Men’s Basketball team took on the Cal State University-North Ridge Matadors.  They play in an arena called the “Mata-Dome.”  No comment.  The Mats have a star freshman, Lamine Diane, which is pronounced nowhere near how it looks.  La-lean Jah-nay?  No, really.  While mentioning where all the Matadors are from in California, Jack Nixon asked color commentator, Justin Hawkins, if he was homesick.  He said, “A little,” but his home is in Las Cruces now.  Jack pronounced him, “Las Cru-cified.”  Umm.  No comment.  

Also in the pregame at the “Aggie-Dome,” Jack interviewed AD Mario Moccia, who had good and bad news about the Aggie Volleyball.  Assistant Coach Ben Wallis was leaving to take a head coaching job with . . . UTEP!  What’s with these rival schools stealing our coaches?  Mario wished him well, and unprompted, Coach Jans did as well during his interview.  (Actually, I do too.  He did a good job here.)  Apparently Ben was well liked.  On other topics, Mario was already exhorting people to come out to the GCU game in early January. 

The game video was broadcast on the WAC Digital Network.  They were picking up the radio call and only using a midcourt camera shot for game, but they did have game graphics onscreen.  There weren’t any ads, so they were showing the live courtside activities during the breaks.  Occasionally, you’d also get Jack talking to his producer.  It looked like a decent crowd, though the students were off.  It was officially listed at 5,300.

First half

Two Aggies hit the floor hard on same possession early.  They were okay thankfully.  I’m sure injuries were the last thing the coach wanted for this tune-up game.  Coach Jans wanted to get everyone involved tonight.  Early, he subbed out the whole team at the first break. 

It was 15-7 Aggies after about 11 minutes.  Keyon Jones hit a three.  Another Aggie hit deck.  Still no damage.  18-7 Keyon hit another three.  Timeout.  During the break, the announcers talked about the Aggies doing the dishes, or rather dishing the ball for five assists so far.  Hawk said Coach Rick Majerus told his teams that the “The ball has energy that grows when it’s passed around.”  That’s profound.

20-8 Aggies, newcomer Trevelin Queen got a leaping rebound under the basket and put it in for his first Aggie points.  Diane, again his name doesn’t look like how it’s pronounced, lost his shoe in play.  His teammates still passed him the ball, but thankfully there was a quick stoppage so he could retrieve his shoe.  Queen hit the court hard on a play.  He initially looked like he might have twisted an ankle, but he was okay.  The Aggies were really getting lucky tonight just missing injuries.  There was another whole team change.  Jack said, “It’s like a line change at a hockey match.”

During another timeout, both teams took seats out on to the court, like Lobo girls did here (12-15-18).  I’ve seen this before; I just don’t understand it.  Santa Claus and Pistol Pete made an appearance on court for Toys for Tots.  Back to play, Ivan Aurrecoechea (thank goodness for copy and paste) made a tremendous move under the basket for a layup to make it 26-13.  Hawk commented that was, “A thing of beauty.  He’s like a dancer.”  37-21 Keyon hit his fourth three.  Meanwhile, Diane had gotten half of the Matadors’ points. 

I was 47-26 Aggies at the half.  Mohamed Thiam hit a straight-on three at the buzzer.  The crowd, Jack, and myself erupted.  Thiam is pronounced “Chahm,” by the way.  Him and Diane are both from Senegal, where spelling is apparently a very creative art.

Halftime

The promised “Teddy Bear Toss” happened at the half.  The court was bombarded by teddy bears.  It was impressive and good to see.  Hopefully, they find good homes.  The Cheerleaders went out to collect them.  Jack interviewed a visiting coach from a Tennessee school who was in El Paso for the Sun Bowl tourney.  He’s a friend of Coach Jans and came to see him.  The coach has lots of friends out there in college basketball.

 

Second half

This was a great way to start.  Shunn Buchanan (pronounced “Sean”) made a no-look pass by to Ivan (don’t ask me to transliterate his last name) under the basket for a bucket to make it 56-30.  Ivan made another great move under the basket for a 60-30 lead.  75-44, Keyon hit his fifth three.  The reserves were getting lots of playing time tonight and doing well. 

Jack was asking during a break for an update on the GCU game being played tonight.  He wants the WAC teams to win against out-of-conference teams.  78-46, Keyon’s sixth three.  84-53 he got his seventh.  Keyon Jones finished with 21 points, a career high.  Queen finished the scoring for the night with a jam.  92-57 Aggies. 

That worked out well.  I picked a fun game to watch.  AJ Harris, Ivan Aurrecoechea, Eli Chuha, and Robert Brown all scored in double digits.  The team played a good game overall.  Even the coach was reasonably pleased.  He’d told the team to go make 700 three’s over the break on their own time, and on the honor system.  Jack asked Coach Jans about his Christmas shopping.  He said that the wife took care of that, and he thanked her for it.  He just provided the money.

NM State Aggies vs UNM Lobos Women’s Basketball 12-15-18

“Uh, oh,” both Ron and I said as we pulled into the Pan-Am Center parking lot.  There were a bunch of cars there.  Normally, this would be a good thing.  This time though we were concerned that that meant there was going to be a lot of fans for the other team, the New Mexico Lobos.  I’d told Ron about the teams’ meeting last year (12-2-17), where Lobo fans may have outnumbered Aggie fans.  Indeed, we could see Lobo fans exiting their vehicles as we rolled in.  While they did fill the Visitor’s section, thankfully, there were more Aggie fans present today, though (honestly) the Lobo fans may have been louder.

We stopped by the Toys for Tots donation box inside.  Ron came prepared with two sacks of toys.  He already looks like Santa Claus to begin with.  I brought a sleeve of Hot Wheels cars to go with the Barbie I’d brought for the last game (12-11-18).  Inside the box, well, donations were a bit slow.  They’re doing a Teddy Bear Toss and taking more donations for the Men’s game next week, so I’ll expect things to pick up then. 

The souvenir table was set up on the concourse today, as I expected.  I went ahead and bought an Aggie shirt to give to a co-worker for Christmas to make up for the giveaway shirt debacle (11-20-18).  (I ended up keeping the shirt, because no one else wanted it.)  The young woman there very happily completed my transaction.  I felt like I’d made her day.  I also felt $32 lighter for a frickin’ t-shirt, and Mike had better f-ing wear this thing for every Aggie Friday at work from now on.  I also picked up a raspberry tea at the concession to wash that bitter taste out of my mouth.

The Roadrunner Review Band was back playing (I admit they sounded a bit flat).  The Cheerleaders and the basketball team were dressed in throwback uniforms.  The team was in powder blue trim jerseys and shorts that just said “State” on them.  Also there were, not one, but two mascots.  Pistol Pete was there with the original Women’s team mascot, a big crimson Roadrunner.  (The team used to be called the “Roadrunners.”)  I think AD Mario Moccia had said they’d found the costume somewhere and, after a thorough cleaning, decided to use it for this Pan-Am fiftieth anniversary season.  The bird looked good and the suit occupant seemed enthusiastic and was having a good time.  Pete and Roadie (I have no idea what his name is) met with the Kid’s Club to everyone’s satisfaction.  The two mascots interacted well, without any mascot rivalry. 

Mario was there, of course, and met with the Lobos’ coaching staff before the game.  One of their guy assistant coaches looked very sharp in a black suit and red socks.  The Lobos also brought a couple of radio broadcasters seated nearby for the game.  (Ours were doing the TV broadcast.)  Their team came out to a big cheer from their fans.  The team had all sorts of different colored shoes.  It was hard not to notice.  I saw red, black, white, grey, bright pink, and . . . crimson?  As long as we’re doing fashion, Aggie Coach Atkinson was in a sleeveless cream blouse, black slacks, and short crimson boots.  During introductions, I noticed that the Lobos watched the Aggie intro video.  You can’t guess in advance which teams will watch the other teams’ video.

First Quarter

Hey, hey!  I got all the scoring right on the first try (well, second, but I had it right).  Too bad, this was not a game to celebrate.  The game at least started well for the Aggies.  Right off, they hit a couple of quick three’s.  Monique Mills got a steal, which led to a layup by Brooke Salas.  Gia Pack got a steal, which led to Mo getting a free throw.  The Lobos were having trouble getting their shots to fall in.  The north end goal force field seemed to be in effect.  Tom was in his usual seat, now surrounded by Lobo fans, and cheering up a storm. 

Still, the Aggies were playing nervous and were giving up turnovers.  Play itself could have been best described as rough and physical.  Gia made a great pass to Baylee Robinson underneath the basket for a bucket and an 11-5 Aggie lead and the first timeout for the media.  The Aggies then got victimized on a couple of bad calls.  At least the refs resisted calling fouls on all contact, which would have dragged out this game forever, as both teams were playing ferocious defense.  #4 Jayla Everett got a steal on Brooke.  Kalei Atkinson chased her down-court and Jayla rushed the layup and missed it.  Good hustle, Kalei. 

It was 15-10 Aggies after ten minutes, nearly.  There was an awkward end to the first quarter.  There was an inconclusive play with less than a second left on the clock.  .3 seconds were still left after that.  The refs reviewed the play, while both teams prepared for the next quarter.  The Lobos brought little fold-up seats out on to the court to listen to their coach.  That seemed unnecessary, since there were already seats at the bench, but how better to prove your superiority than to not use the visitor’s seats and bring your own.

Second Quarter

Dino Dash!  One of Dinos had all sorts of problems dribbling and actually collapsed at the media table in exhaustion.  As usual, the other contestant declined to dribble and won.  They should try to get the rules straight before the next contest. 

The Aggies offense was stymied to start this quarter.  Dominique Mills, giving up 5” and about 25 lbs to #21 Nike McLure, fought her for a rebound and nearly ended up in a fight.  Meanwhile, Aissatou Fall cycled in to the game for the Aggies.  While she was a bit larger, #44 Jaisa Nunn, another big body, started schooling her down low a couple of times, before Aissatou came out.  

A steal off Brooke and a layup gave the Lobos’ their first lead at 17-18.  Timeout Aggies.  I noticed Mario was at the media table and Men’s Coach Chris Jans was with him.  They were chatting, but Coach Jans was watching the game pretty intently.  I wonder if he has any advice for Coach Atkinson from what he saw, or would that be considered rude? 

An errant Lobo pass down-court nearly took out a cameraman by the basket.  Gia went over to him and asked if he was okay.  The guy barely wavered from getting the shot with the camera though, even with the ball coming at him.  The Aggies made a comeback.  Brooke got two steals and a free throw and a layup of them to make it 22-19.  But, more Aggie turnovers allowed the Lobos to retake the lead, 22-28.  Timeout Aggies with three minutes left.  Jaisa made a tremendous block on Baylee down low, but Kaeli hit a three with under a minute to close the gap to 27-31 Lobos at the half. 

Halftime

A little kid’s hip hop dance troop performed at the half.  Danny came over and chatted.  He didn’t like the Aggies’ prospects today.  He mentioned that he saw the Softball team out practicing, but I’m guessing that wasn’t open to the public. 

Ron got an emergency call from his caretaking job and had to leave, but swore he’d be back.  I sure hoped so, since he was my ride.  The Aggie Men’s Basketball team came in to watch.  I definitely recognized Ivan Aurrecoechea.  He spent most of his time on his phone.  I didn’t see Johnny McCants.  If he’d been there, me and some other fans probably would have gone over for an autograph.

Third Quarter

The Aggies kept it close to start the second half.  #21 Nike McLure came out of the game after a collision in the lane with Aggie Nike, Adenike Aderinto.  It was two big bodies crashing.  Brooke was everywhere pulling down rebounds.  #23 Jaedyn de la Cerda hit the first Lobo three of the game with seven minutes left in the quarter.  Prince answered with a couple of baskets to make it 38-37 Aggies.  On one, Brooke out-rebounded and tore the ball away from Jaisa (giving up about four inches in height and maybe 30 lbs in weight) and tossed it to Prince for a layup.

Stabresa McDaniel came in during the quarter.  From the Aggie Coach’s Show, I found out she hadn’t played in two years when she came in for her first game here last week.  Very impressive comeback.  Nike McLure came back in.  About the first thing she did was knock Brooke down flat in the lane.  She even hit the back of her head on the floor.  She got up apparently feeling okay; I don’t know how.  Lobo fans boo’d the foul call on the play. 

That probably wasn’t the pivotal play in the game, but what happened next was.  Jaedyn dropped in another three and followed that up with a layup.  Suddenly, it was 40-48 Lobos.  Timeout Aggies.  Out of the timeout, Jaedyn got a steal and another layup.  Even worse, Didi Echols was injured trying to break up the play.  She let out a couple of sharp cries, as the Aggies’ pretty little blonde trainer ran over to her.  Didi couldn’t even make it across the court and had to go to the Lobos’ table to get worked on.  By the time the horn sounded for the quarter, the Lobos were in control at 40-51. 

          

Fourth Quarter

Roadie the Roadrunner came back out, but this would not help the Aggies.  Ron returned, which made me feel a lot better.  He told me that Volleyball Coach Mike Jordan was sitting up above.  This was a big game.  Ron declined to talk to him, and unfortunately he’d left before I got a chance to congratulate him on a great season.  Across the court, Didi was now on crutches.  That was definitely not a good sign.

Since switching to the south goal, the Lobo shots were now falling in, while the force field was reactivated on the north end and the Aggies couldn’t buy a bucket.  The worst of it was that they were getting lots of offensive rebounds and second chances, but the ball still wouldn’t go in.  Some fan in the crowd kept yelling, “Shoot it!” like we were watching an Aggie soccer match.  (Read any of my soccer entries for an explanation.)  Turnovers were still an Aggie problem as well.  Meanwhile, it had gotten quiet enough in the arena with fans leaving early, that you could really hear Lobo Coach Mike Bradbury screaming at his girls like they were losing by double digits.

Brooke finally picked up her first foul for slapping down Nike McLure in the lane, probably some payback.  Brooke picked up her second knocking down Jaedyn driving the lane.  Jaedyn did come up smiling.  Lastly, Brooke picked up her third, stuffing Nike on a shot and knocking her down.  Nike is taller and bigger, but not necessarily tougher.  Coach Bradbury started taking his stars out, one-by-one, and they all got a round of applause from their fans.  Our disappointing final: Aggies 50, Lobos 75.        

The Aggies played 11 of 12 players on their roster and 10 scored.  However, only Brooke Salas scored in double digits (24).  Meanwhile, four of the seven Lobos who scored, did so in double digits.  Jaedyn de la Cerda led them with 21.  Late in the game when the outcome wasn’t really in doubt, I’m pretty sure her and Brooke were fighting to be top scorer in the game.  Compared to last year, I was impressed that the Aggies held the Lobos to four three-pointers, none in the first half, though the Aggies didn’t do any better shooting them. 

From the paper the next day, I learned how bad the Aggie turnovers were: 28, which led to 27 points and 17 fast break points.  The coach attributed it partly to the Lobos’ defense and partly to the Aggies not taking care of the ball.  The article also said that Gia Pack had been nursing a tweaked knee for the last two games.  This explains why she wasn’t shooting a lot.  She had over 20 in the last game against the Lobos.  This might have been a different game with her at 100%.

Autographs

I shamefully admit, I was a bit gun-shy about going down to get autographs.  I didn’t want to embarrass myself standing in line with a bunch of 10-year old girls, like I did with Volleyball (9-29-18) and Soccer (9-9-18) this semester.  Even worse, I was afraid of getting attached to anymore student-athletes.  I’m still hurting over my dear Aileen Galicia’s last game (10-27-18).  Ron talked me into it and pushed me down there anyway.

At least I wasn’t the only adult in line.  Assistant Coach McAdams was in line with his family as his girls were getting autographs.  (There were still plenty of little girls in line.)  I do see them out at other Aggie sports events.  I said, “Hi, Coach,” and he thanked me for coming out to the game.  That was nice of him. 

First up was Brooke Salas herself.  It didn’t go well last time I got her autograph (1-7-17).  This time Brooke was as pleasant and charming as she looks like she should be.  I congratulated her on a great a game, which was a bit awkward, as she did have a great game, but the rest of the team didn’t. 

Brooke was the one person I really wanted to say something to.  I more-or-less fumbled it, but told her that Coach Trakh would be proud of her showing so much leadership this year, especially at the Abilene Christian game (11-20-18) where she was coaching from the bench.  (During this game, she was also directing plays from the court.)  I think she understood what I was trying to say.  She said was just trying to help the team however she could.  Brooke also thanked me for coming out to game.  Aww.

I did not get to tell Kalei Atkinson that she’s probably my favorite on the team, apart from Brooke, but I did get a smile from her.  Dominique and Monique Mills are very pretty.  One of them has highlights in her hair, so maybe you can tell them apart when they’re not wearing their numbers (but I forgot which one).  I asked Aaliyah Prince if she’d gotten taller since last year, because I was pretty sure she was.  She laughed and said, “No.”  (I also meant to tell her how impressed I’d been with her this year.  Oops.)  Missing from our autographs is Didi (Rodrea) Echols.  She must have been doing pretty badly with her injury.  Given that there’s three or four girls out already, that’s troubling for the team.

Lastly, I said, “Hi,” to Adam Young who was last in line at the media table, not for autographs, just packing up after the TV broadcast.  I asked him if he called all of the WAC Volleyball Tournament games.  He did.  That’s great for him.  I had another question and I was kicking myself that I couldn’t remember what it was.  He told me to e-mail it to him if remembered (which I did in the bathroom five minutes later). 

Ron and I might have been the last fans to leave the building.  A charter bus left the parking lot as we came out.  Ron said, that was how most of those Lobo fans came here.  No wonder there were so many.  We had an excellent pizza at Zefferio’s and frozen yogurt at Orange Leaf, because ice cream is for winners . . . times when you’re smarting from a bad defeat.  Then we made a trip to the mall for some Christmas shopping.  Why not?  #Retail therapy.  Actually, we felt much better after a good meal and hanging out with a Christmas shopping crowd. 

Well, no more in-person games until next year.  We’ll try to get by.  Just a little recordkeeping here on that issue.  By my quick count, I’ve been to 25 Aggie sporting events this semester.  Technically, two of them didn’t involve the Aggies, but were at the Pan-Am.  I missed half of a soccer match, but I’m not counting four exhibition games I went to.  I missed one women’s basketball game, but that would have required me to buy a men’s ticket.  I roughly calculated that I needed to go to 28 games to make my Aggie Country Pass pay off.  I’ve still got four more weekend basketball games and the entire softball and baseball seasons left.  Yeah, that pass is a good deal.