Game Capsule: Down 1 with 2 minutes to go...Burhaniye Belediye vs. Ted Ankara Kolejliler

1-16-10 Burhaniye Belediye vs. Ted Ankara Kolejliler 77-71
Statline: 17pts 12rebs (7 offensive)

I'm fresh off the plane for starters.  Normally I wait a few days to calm down but I need to get this off my chest because it was rediculous how it ended.  This game was a battle from beginning to end.  As a team we didnt shoot that well and we didn't defend to great.  Usually our defense triggers our fast break but we still give up the most points in the entire league but on the brighter note we are the highest scoring team in the league. A bad first half but we ended the first half 34-34.  Basically its zero to zero and we can start over and get the ball rolling.  The ball never rolled and the refs started swallowing their whistles.  You expect that when your on the road but the obvious calls like  people blatantly slapped on the wrists, shoved in the air, rediculously getting bodied at the basket have to be made.  It was getting OC (yes i'm going to have to slang it up because you probably aren't allowed to talk about things like this) but what can you do right? Through it all we still were in the game. 

We finally had the momentum with 2 minutes left in the game and we were down by 1 point.  Let me take you through the posession:
We run a play all the way through and got a good shot but it was  missed.  I got the offensive rebound and went up and I missed.  Was I fouled? Not that much contact like I was getting all game so I should have made it but I didn't.  I'm running back and the ref calls a Tech on one of our players. Coach is livid! So guess what he gets? not 1 but 2 TECHS and gets throwed out.  But he had to go out in style by acting like he was going to steal on the referee.  I am screaming STOP IT STOP IT LOOK AT THE SCORE ITS ONE POINT SOMEBODY STOP HIM!!! I am in TEARS trying to get Betul to stop coach from getting another technical but instead they trying to calm me down because they probably didn't understand what I was talking about.  The other team gets 6 FREE THROWS AND THE BALL!! Now mind you it was a ONE POINT GAME! The girl makes 5 of 6 free throws but they missed the shot on their possession.  So we are down 6. We claw back we can pull it to 1 again but missed free throws and then people wanna do their own agenda when we was trying to get our shooter the ball and then we give up offensive rebounds and thats the game ladies and gentlemen.

Problems I see: Rebounding.  Okay I average alot of rebounds a game but I can't do it alone.  They sent 5 people to the offensive glass and we had 2 in the paint.  Everyone has to rebound not just the post player. Our backcourt is small but if your man is going in for the boards how about you come in the paint and fight too.  Offensively we are not running the right sets and people don't know their roles and try to do too much period. 

What happens now?:  I have no idea.  I thought it was back to the drawing board last week but I think we waisted 3 days of practice when we could have been preparing for this game but some days we dont even have enough players to play 5 on 5 so its like what can you do? Now some players are hurt who knows who is going to suit up for our next contest.  All I know is that I guess I have to try harder.  This game wasn't the best for me because I couldnt get on the block all my points came from fast breaks, penetration, or knocking down jumpshots.  Even though my jumper was ON i still only had 9 shot attempts so hey all I can do is run and rebound but its still hard to run 1. if you dont have the ball 2. if we arent gang rebounding.  Gang rebounding is important I can't do it alone.

How I'm feeling:  I am mad as hell because we had the momentum at the end of the game but it was lost because people want to lose their cool.  Players determine wins and losses I truly feel that this game was taken from us because people let their emotions get the best of them.  If you want to get T'd up don't do it when your team is in a position to win the game and if you do get T'd up get 1 not act a fool and get a 2nd and get throwed out of the game.  Not down the strech.  2 minutes! 2 minutes! If you want to act up do it early not with 2 minutes left.  You can say well yall didn't rebound, or yall didn't defend, or yall didn't score regardless of how bad we played we were in position to win with 2 minutes left.  He needed to take a breath and chill out and draw up a play while she was shooting the first technical.  There is no need for that outbusrt.  None.  That's all I'm saying.  Think about it.

This is my vent thank you for listening.

Game Capsule: EPIC FAIL!!: Optimum Ted Ankara Kolejliler vs Alanya Belediye

1-9-10 Optimum Ted Ankara Kolejliler vs Alanya Belediye 67-82

Statline: 14pts (5-11) 15rebs 5ast

Man.  I'm at a lost for words really I can only explain how I feel because honestly I don't know what happend in that game nor do I want to get into it.  I would have to see the film to see exactly what happend.  We didnt make shots and they did? That's the obvious answer. OR a better one, they best player got buckets and made plays down the strech and me I don't even know where I was.  I remember shooting 2 layups (i missed 1 and got fouled on the other), one three pointer (I was wide open I can knock that down though), and a turn around jumper that I missed.  The ball didn't swing my way everybody else was taking shots.  Maybe thats my fault because I don't demand the ball.  I'm the type of player that lets the game come to me I don't force too much I get everybody involved.  I shoot when I can and handle my rebounding responsibilities thats it.  Maybe I should be more selfish. That's not me but damn I just might have to.  Oh Whitney Jones was a beast period.  Strong and agressive in the paint she had a hell of a game I give her all props in the world she did what she was suppose to do...will her team to a win.  Must be a nice feeling.  I started off guarding her I didn't do that bad I forced her into jumpshots, they gave her a weak and 1 and I didn't foul her and my coach took me off her early as hell.  4th quarter I shoulda guarded her maybe it would have helped.  Shoulda coulda woulda...whatever didn't happen and our asses lost.

So what now??
Plan A: MISSION WAS AN EPIC FAIL. 
Plan B: We got to win it the hard way...PLAYOFFS. 
Plan C:  Pray that Alanya has a slip up and loses but I doubt it can't no other team touch them right now, they offense is clicking on all cylinders.

It's back to the drawing board for us.

How I'm Feeling:  Honestly, I feel like shit.  I feel like I did when I was 17 years old playing my final game at my high school and we lost the regional final game.  I didn't come here to lose.  Losing was not an option for me.  10 games with an undefeated record was the plan from the get go.  I truly believed in my heart that we was going to win that game.  I saw it...I felt it...I owned it...and for us to lose it just hurts. The Basketball Gods are against me. I asked them why...why not this one time?  I thought it was my time to shine...my time to carry the load...my time to lead...my time to finally win the big one.  The Basketball Gods have another plan for me.  The reality was that it wasn't ment to be.

Game Capsule: First Half Comes To A Close: Optimum Ted Ankara Kolejliler vs Antalya Koleji

12-19-09 Optimum Ted Ankara Kolejliler vs Antalya Koleji 91-64

Statline: 30points 19rebs (32mins 13-15FG)

Well I almost had my 30 point 20 rebound game that I have been dreaming about.  I can still see four rebounds that I could have grabbed but didn't.  Ahh man.  But this game here was a no contest from beginning to end.  He had control from beginning to end.  Set the tone as a fast up-tempo game and they couldnt keep up with that.  Before the game the coach was saying how they had very young post player like 16 and 17 years old.  I said to myself I'll be damned if I let a child own me on the basketball court.  They were long but they were kids it was a speed that they are not use to.  Its a process.  High school speed...division 1 college speed...2nd division pro speed...1st division speed your body just has to adjust and get use to the speed of the game and that can be tough for a young teen.  So basically this game I just ran ran ran.  I got lay up after lay up I didn't shoot no form of a jump shot.  Rebound after rebound.  That is one game that I can say I beasted.  Do I feel bad about it cuz I was older...hell no thats what they are paying me to do therefore I dont mind at all lol.  Beezy killed and had 11 ast to go with her 18 points and Pelin-Man had 17.  Fast breaking is so fun you dont have to worry about no kind of offense and running is our strength. We get to running our sets guaranteed somebody is going off the play lol at least I run the play wrong but chicks wanna do they own version of the play lol thats cool if we on the same page but if there is no eye contact with anyone involved thats just a bad possession lol most of the time i'm pushing whoever I can to get the offensive rebound lol.

First Half Recap:  Well we ended the half 5-0.  Obviously changes are going to be made with the other teams.  Remember in my first post of the season about Alanya would be the bomb ass team if they had an american?? welllll they got one...her name is Whitney Jones and played at Arkansas.  She younger than me and played against Mizzou a year after I left and she killed them.  She is tearing up the league right now and took my spot as top rebounder (she avg 15.7 i avg 15).  I feel Alanya is our biggest test if we win we have a great chance of winning the league and moving up to 1st division.  That is the most important thing.  Also if we win the league w don't have to play in the playoffs and I can go HOME EARLY.

My Mission:  If they thought I was cold the first half then they aint seen nothing yet.  I'm a monster.  The goal is in site and its in our grasp we have to take hold of it.  We are the best team in the league we can't let nobody come take our spot.

Quick History:  I can't front, I have never won anything in my life.  When its MY team and I have to carry the team on my shoulders and will us to a win it has never happend.  Goes all the way back to high school never got past regional finals...college never got past th first round of NCAA...never got out of the first round of the WNIT. Despite my effort I give my all but its never enough.  For once in my life I feel it in my bones that I can carry this team to an undefeated record all the way to the 1st division.  I know I can im 24 I've been through alot with basketball (one day I will do a post about my marriage to basketball an let me tell you it has been rocky) I'm ready to do this.  Be a winner.  Whatever I can do whatever they need me to do I'll do it.  I don't have shoulders like Dwight but they are strong and I can carry the load...I'm on a mission...

Game Capsule: THE SET UP GAME!! Optimum Ted Ankara Kolejliler vs İzmir Bşb.

12-12-09 Optimum Ted Ankara Kolejliler vs İzmir Bşb 71-67

Statline: 24pts 18 rebs

This game right here! Set up game like noneother.  Let me explain...this team had not won a game all year but they are the most experienced team in the entire league! They are a very good team you see them on film and think damn why haven't they won a game yet?  Then stories started coming out about past teams.  Kolej last year started off 0-3 and then they ended up winning the league.  My team in Spain (Fundal Alcobendas) we started off 0-3 and then went on a 12 game winning streak!! So I'm like awwwwwww shoot (I said the other word lol) we can't get set up!!  We came out pretty strong.  Our shooters struggled mightily! The other team was so physical it was crazy.  I even got my lip busted.  I dont play with my face! You can elbow me all over my body and I dont care but you aim for my face we gon have problems buddy. Even though our shooters was struggling Ceyda and I held us down and I had total control of the rebounds we had a 15 point lead.  So what happend? *puts my face in my hand* *sigh* well we went zone for starters.  Once again I say our zone is terrible and they started knocking down 3's. Okay whatever we still scoring so we cool.  Coach starts subbing!!! I thought my day was over I pulled my kneepads down and changed my hairdo lol I thought I was done for the day! I look up and they score is close!! They had the momentum.  For some reason I was still chilling on the bench he put me back in and we get back a nice lead as time is winding down.  I go sit down again.  They not rebounding!! 3 ball! 3 ball! Eventually the time ran out and we barely won.  I'm still confused as to why the rest of the starters and I was still sitting on the bench when the momentum changed.  Oh well we won.  But I do know that when we go to their place with their refs we gonna have another dogfight on our hands.

Game Capsule: Struggle City: Güre Belediye vs Optimum Ted Ankara Kolejliler

12-6-09 Güre Belediye vs Optimum Ted Ankara Kolejliler 56-75

Statline: 22pts (9-17) 12rebs

Once again we were in control from beginning to end.  I showed my dominance and quickness early which set the tone for the rest of the game.  My problem was that I missed all layups with very little contest.  It was horrible I could have had 40 points very easily.  I was rushing and I was getting so fustrated because I was getting everything I wanted on offense I had my way with them its just I couldn't finish to save my life.  I didn't understand why or how. I was embarrassed more than anything.  I apologized to everybody because that was a horrible display of basketball period.  Thinking back at the game has me extremely aggrivated right now! The other teams best player was leading the league in scoring and rebounding and we held her wayyyyyyyyy under her average.  Annnd the easy victory goes to Kolej.

Thats about it with this game nothing notible except being "on the ocean" (shoutouts to K'Jon lol).  I have never in my life been that close to a large body of water.  I have a great fear plus I just have never been to a beach in my life nor seen anything like it up close.  The team was trying to get me to go out on the dock I was like NO!! I stayed my good distance and sat on a bench and just looked out.  I kept singing the K'Jon song "Now the tide is comin in/ i see the waves flow away/ out there on the ocean/ i no my ship is comin in/ just past the horizon/ and right where the sky ends/ cuz out there on the ocean/ i no my ship is comin in/ so dont leave me hangin/ i ben waitin here too long/ for this moment/ my ship has finally come" Welllll my ship with the man of my dreams did NOT come an it was chilly I'm not patient like K'Jon was in his song so I went back to the hotel. LOL

Game Capsule: REEEMAAATTTCCHHH!! Ted Ankara Kolejliler vs Burhaniye Belediye

11-21-09 Ted Ankara Kolejliler vs Burhaniye Belediye 90-84

Statline:  15pts 14rebs 8ast...

This game right here I call the rematch game because we played them twice a couple weeks prior in friendly matches.  The games were close!!! One game we one by 1 point and the other game we won by 2 points!!! We played so bad and we let them out physical us in the friendly matches and coach was so damn mad at us!! Personally after the friendly matches I was telling one of the other Vets that we aint gon make it in this league if we cant handle this physicalness and experience the other team is bringing. She just looked and shook her head and was like "I know".  So anyways back to the game.  We was in control from beginning to end.  The other teams plan was to tripple team me.  Okay good fine and dandy problem is...I AM AN EXTREMELY GOOD PASSER!! AYE 1ST DIVISION TEAMS GIMME A CHANCE!! anyways...I was passing out and Beezy (who is the best shooter I have ever been on the court with) was raining 3's my homie Pelin-Man murdered them with 21, Tilbe came off the bench with 19.  We was clicking on all cylindars.  Victory Kolej.


Problem:  First game our point guard missed.  She sprained her ankle.  We have a good backup but Di is a beast with the rock in her hand, a threat to score from anywhere on the floor, good decision maker. I have to admit I was worried but BB does a great job and as of today is leading the league in assists.  Thing is when Di gets ready to come back who is getting a majority of the minutes????
Oh and most importantly we are the league leaders in points per game BUT league leaders in points given up in games too smh.  We average like 80pts per game yo we be RUNNIN!!! and I LOVE IT!!!

Game Capsule: LET THE MADNESS BEGIN!! Alanya belediye vs. Optimum Ted Ankara Kolejliler

11-14-09 Alanya Belediye vs. Optimum Ted Ankara Kolejliler 69-79

Statline: 21pts 12rebs 3ast

First game jitters? Me? No way. I just look at every game as if I have a point to prove and that point is that I am the best player on the court. PERIOD.  I walk into the gym and it is packed.  Standing room only! For a girls game?? damn.  People were even outside pushing and shoving trying to look through the windows.  Crazy.  Coach said this is the team to beat.  They have the largest budget in our league and they have the best players.  Us on the otherhand is a team of extremely young but very talented girls.  This is my teams first year in the 2nd division so they didnt know what to expect. I had my own share of adversity to fight through.  I gotten sick the night before we left for Alanya.  I had no medicine.  I was struggling and was miserable.  I had fevers, couldnt breathe, extremely weak and the only thing they gave me was vitamins! I'm wondering how am I going to make it through this game.  GAMETIME.  Adrenaline, is a powerful thing I tell you!  I mean when it rushes your body you feel no pain, no ailments, nothing just a rush.  The ball was thrown up and the game was on and poppin.  I showed my dominance early and our team speed was getting to them.  One thing about that team was that they were very physical.  I went to the free throw line 13 times and I was on the road so that tells you right there how much fouling was going on.

Problem: Our zone defense is terrible.  Sometimes it works for a possession or two to throw the other team off but for an extended period of time its the worst.  That is how the team got back in the game.  They got it to within 3 at one point in the fourth but we went on a run and pulled ahead by 10 for our first victory.

Overall, it was a great win in a hostile environment against a great team.  After the game was over I just laid out on the floor.  I had nothing left in me.  I couldnt move.  I ended up at the hospital when we got back to Ankara.  You should have seen how people in the airport was looking at me like I had the Swine!! I didn't know what I had but it wasn't the damn Swine Flu. ust regular Flu haha.  I'm getting off track, the only thing I said after the game was that team is one American away from being a hell of a team...and a week later I got word that I was not the only Import in league 2...