Okay Tisha You Can Have Your Job Back...Antalya Koleji vs. Optimum Ted Ankara Kolejliler

Antalya Koleji vs Optimum Ted Ankara Kolejliler 75-90

Statline: 27pts 18rebs

I'm baaaaaaaaack everybody!!! Give it up for your girl EeTisha Riddle.  From the audience back on the court in a weeks time give her a hand! LOL.  But yeah I went out there to prove a point for starters.  You should have let me finish ALL my games I mean you could at least do that much I been here sense October!  We had the lead the entire game and a nice cushion but they were still in striking distance.  I was doing my thing though I was 12 for 16 from the floor.  Running up and down the court like Speedy Gonzalez.  Lay-up after lay-up rebound after rebound I controlled the game.  We got a nice lead and the scoreboard said that I had 30 points so the Coach sat me down but the official stats had me for 27.  I know I didn't miss four times either I missed three times. They be cheating haha.  But it was a good game for us we needed one of those fun up and down games.  Plus it was a good homecomming for Betul she got to play in front of her mom and family.  She shot the mess out of the ball too! I was like daaaaaamn girl hometown rims love you!

Well, I got my job back to say the least.  I was happy I could play again.  I mean the worse thing you can do to me is to take basketball away from me.  Basketball is all I have bad enough I'm a million miles away from home. Even when I'm at home I still have problems because I'm not playing competitive basketball.  The past two weeks I was sick without it.  The sad thing was that they sent my homie home.  Back to the old me which is being alone and isolated from the rest of the world.  The month she was here was bananas! I had fun.  Which made me look at overseas in a new light.  My past experience was the worst.  I was alone and isolated I had nobody not even teamates.  When you have people that you can relate to and be around overseas is not bad at all.  I wasn't even homesick!!  That's why I hope that I can finally prove that I can play in the 1st Division where I can be with other Americans instead of being the only one.  Once you've seen the light of the outside world you dont want to go back to the dark.  But, I have to finish my journey just like I started it...alone.

Game Capsule: Back On Track...Or Are We?

1-31-10 Optimum Ted Ankara Kolejliler vs Güre Belediye 94-68

Statline: 27pts 17rebs

Well, we had two weeks off to think about the terrible loss we suffered previously. Plus, we had a new player to replace me so my whole mindset was to finish out my last three games and go home. But it came game time and I was ready to go. It was our last home game of the season so it was important to leave our fans with something positive to remember us by. From the tip we were in complete control. They couldn't buy a bucket and with me controlling the rebounds our fast break was REDICULOUS. That's our game right there fast break buckets but the games we've lost was because they slowed us down. Honestly our half court game isn't that good. It's nothing complicated just pick and rolls but I mean seriously who can truly defend the pick an roll...with 5 people on defense you already know one person is paying no kind of attention to whats going on and the rotation and recovery is slow which equals a bucket or at least a good shot. Haha. But back to the game...I played extremely well in the first half i had 20 points and 10 rebounds. But the second half, lord help me, I had the case of *I Wanna Miss Open Lay-Up Syndrome*. I could have easliy had 40 once again but eh it happens to the best of us right. My misses didn't make much a difference because we was up by 30 and everybody else was hitting. Game Over victory Kolej. Time to get ready for my next game or maybe not...

"Sorry Tisha but you have been replaced"

Okay so now we sit with two losses.  Coach was talking about making changes, he released one player I thought he was done...but I had no idea that I was the drastic change he was talking about.  Indirectly they blamed me for our two losses.  But I'm going to give you the situation of our two losses...first game okay so in the 4th quarter I should have switched off to defend Jones and I didn't she continued to murder us...but on the flip side I only tood 2 SHOTS in the second half. Why did I stop getting the ball.  They got Jones the ball everytime down the floor, but the ball never swung my way but I ended the game wit 14pts 15rebs and 5ast but yet the loss is my fault right? Okay on to the next loss...I had 9 SHOTS the entire game with no double team!! On top of that, I had 7 OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS so how many shots did I get off the pass?? You do the math. Plus you can read my previous blog about how we actually lost the game but he never owned up to his mistake.  Blame the American right? Cool.

I get to practice on a Tuesday and they tell me "Tish we want to go in a different direction for the playoffs, we bringing somebody in she'll be here tomorrow".  You should have seen my face.  I couldn't do anything but laugh.  I'm not cocky but damn I average 21 and 15 and you telling me you want to go in a different direction?? Whatever send me home.  I do everything for this team and you want to tell me something crazy like that? But thats the business.  They told me that I could finish my games I was like you can send me home I am POSITIVE that another team would LOVE to have a player like me on their team.  They knew that too so they had me stay and be the alternate aka practice player.  Now I'm going to be honest with yall, I hate practice and I rarely practice good.  I am what you call a "gamer".  What's a gamer? A person that is an absolute monster in the game. 

How I'm feeling:  Basically I feel disrespected because how can I lead the league in scoring and second in rebounding and you telling me I'm not good enough for you.  Second, I feel that my relationship with this organization is OVER.  Once you stop believing in me there is nothing more I can do for you.  Its like breaking up with your boyfriend. Baby *sigh* its over...its me its not you (thats the nice way). Or you say Man forget you I'm leaving and I never want to see you or speak to you ever again in life (thats the non-cursing way but thats more of how I felt). LOL but seriously though.

The Introduction:
So she comes first thing I say is damn we could pass for sisters.  Same skin color, same hair color, around the same heighth, she bigger than me though.  But she looked familiar.  I'm like where you go to school...she said kU. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH yall im a MIZZOU alum! Soon as she said that I knew exactly who it was.  I played against her in the infamous MU kU brawl that happend at the end of our game.  She was one of the "instigators" as the newspapers so eliquently put it! LOL ahhh man I was at a loss for words.  I couldn't make this up if I wanted to.  So she gets to practice and she is straight killing my little, skrawny, narrow self.  I mean I'm NOT a Center nor do I pretend to be. I am not physical at all.  I am FINESS to the fullest.  She is a monster though SUPER talented. I told her and I told the coaches I am not going to fight with her or battle it out on the court. You obviously don't want me here and I feel this spot isn't worth fighting for she can have it.  So you have 2 capable players that are the complete opposites of each other so Kolej who you rolling with?  They said they going with her.  I was officially the alternate.  She signed the dotted line.

On the flip side:  Our personalities are so similar its crazy! After all these months of lonliness and isolation is over I FINALLY have a friend to go out and see the city, explore and get lost with!! This is great!  For the 1st time in 4 months I get to go to the mall, venture out and even meet other americans.  I finally have somebody thats like me, that knows exactly how crazy playing overseas can be, somebody I can relate to.  I never had that before.  My homie on the men's team was like "You sure yall not related?" lol. So even though I wasn't playing basketball at least I made a great friend.  Maybe this alternate thing aint so bad afterall...yeah right.  I will say this though, you put us on the same team its gon be something viscous.  It would have been crazy if I had a Turkish passport our team would have been untouchable in this league.

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...

Season 2: Invasion of Turkey: How Did I Get Here??

WOW! It has been quite sometime sense I have updated the world! Well, my travels have ended up in Ankara, Turkey this season and it almost didn't happen...

This summer was a mess for me to sum it up.  My knees were messed up from Spain I mean playing 7 months on a concrete-like surface is no good for the body.  I ended up having to go to therapy for 6 weeks thinking that would help my knees but it didn't work.  Plan B: minor surgery on both knees. Soooo I ended up getting a procedure done called the OssaTron Laser Surgery on both my knees.  I was good in about a month but the first time I worked out was mid August! So my summer was not a productive one for basketball BUT perfect for being girly!  For the first time in my life I grew my nails out (they couldn't break from basketball!) my feet finally looked nice (no blood blisters, an crust, and regular blisters from basketball) my hair grew completely out and it looked GREAT (didn't sweat out my perm from playing basketball!!). I'm getting off track but anyways all summer I didn't hear anything from my agent.  I would call periodically and ask is there any interest and the response "NOPE".  I was confused because I had a excellent year last year in Spain and I didn't even have interest from my league and I lead the league in rebounding!! So out of 32 teams none of them? none of them?? Nope none at all.  So time passing and my agent isn't telling me anything and its mid-september so I told my best friend (former teammate at Mizzou) Christelle N'Garsanet that I would go to the Ivory Coast, West Africa with her to play in a tournament in October.  So the day I am suppose to leave for Africa my agent up and calls and say "We have a job for you in Turkey we are working on the contract right now".

The team wouldnt wait for me to finish the tournament in Africa so by now I'm at the airport about to check in and I decided to come to Turkey at the dissappointment of my friend.  I had to do it though because the tournament is only a couple of weeks and Turkey is an entire season.  So I go home and on that Monday I got another call from my agent saying that I leave tomorrow.  I'm like you can't be serious.  I needed my hair done (that was the most important thing to me), and time to go run errands and pack for 7 months stay.  I was upset but I had no choice.  I found somebody to do my hair, it wasnt my usual hair dresser though. Did the best I could to say goodbye to whoever was around and I hopped on a plane didn't know where I was going, never saw a contract, all I knew is that I took a major pay cut and I was going to yet another 2nd division team (which both hurt my spirit).

Said Goodbye to my mom and my brother and I hopped on the plane...Let the Journey Begin!!!

Playoffs?? No haps...Game Capsule: Alcobendas vs. Universitario de Ferrol

4-18-2009 Alcobendas vs. Ferroll 83-61
Statline: 11pts (4-12) 15 rebs 37mins 19 value


Well well well this is a must win game. We had a chance to make a move to get into the playoffs with losses from all of the teams ahead of us. Sooo, all of the teams ahead of us in fact did lose...but did we win? NOPE!!!!! Instead, we got our asses fair kicked. Excuse my language but it isn't a nice way to put it. We played horrible from begining to end but we were in the game the entire time until the fourth quater. Fourth quarter was the pits. We had nothing going and they had everything going not to mention their star players were murdering us. Looking at the stats right now they had 4 players in double figures and two other people had like 2 and 3 points. Crying shame was what it was. We had a million turnovers and nobody could buy a bucket (including myself). Marta killed though she hit 6 threes! I wish she could have had help maybe we might have won. Marta and I were the only ones on my team with double figures and I only had 11 so that tells you what kind of a shooting night the team had.

So why the melt down??
Honestly, I think it was because we had too many days off. We had a four day easter break then came back and had one practice then took another day off making it 5 days from not playing basketball. Leaving us with two days to prepare...I told you in the last blog that we were shooting ourselves in the foot. The two practices we had were HORRIBLE. Same thing we did in the two practices is the exact same thing that was happening in the game...turnovers, horrible shots, fatigue, people doing random things that they don't normally do all that equals a horrible game.

So what now??
Nothing. Play my butt off the next 2 games to try to get 20 wins overall for the season. I had goals entering the season of getting as many wins as possible, averaging a double double and being one of the best players in the leage. So I am accomplishing all 3 of those at the moment but I still have work to do.

Next matchup: PDM Bembibre
About them: 3rd highest scoring team in the league, one of the best post players in the league, and they are on a 5 game winning streak
Us: Tough practices all week. Everybody still isn't on the same page. I had a really good practice and returning from our middle of the week off day I had a horrible practice and couldn't find my stroke. Thinking I could work on my shot at the next days practice I soon found off we had to take another off day on Friday because our gym was in use for Junior Championships. Therefore, we were off the day before a game. Bad look homie bad look. Its our last home game and I have to go out with a bang. I just pray I find my stroke an hour before the game...

Game Capsule: Easter Edition ISOLUX - CORSAN ALCOBENDAS VS. INIEXA EXTREMADURA CÁCERES 201

4-9-2004 ALCOBENDAS vs. CÁCERES 83-62
Statline: 19 pts (7-9 shooting) (1-1 3pt) 7 rebs...28 Value...27mins

Ok this game I struggled. From the stats you are probably like what are you talking about?!?! But yes defensively I was bad. I mean I could not get through screens to save my life. They set so many sceens for their post player it was rediculous. I would try to cheat in the paint to try to beat her to the block but then they would set a down screen for her to shoot a 3...splash. Shit! Nex time I'm thinking "okay don't cheat play straight up" so I'm in the right place this time but then guard sets a slant screen to the block...dammit got me again...open bucket. Pretty much I was at a loss the whole game. Ol girl had 23 points on me. But think about it she had all screens set for her when I had her one on one I was cool. I don't have screens set for me ferreal mostly its post to post so they can switch but they miscommunication gets me an open bucket...thats yalls fault for not talking but me I can't switch because if I do its a 5'6 player against a 6'4 chick. But anyways this was a cool game for us we played well. Marta came back which is a blessing because honestly she is our best player. Marta aint no joke but she struggled a bit she sat out like 10 games she still knocked down shots and got some steals with 2 days of practice. She is my favorite to play with. If somebody went after her she is the only one I'd go to war with because through it all she has been the only one to have my back. I'm getting off track back to the game lol...so what happened was we just wore them down. They only had 7 people and we play like 12! They tried to go zone and we shot them out of the zone Apu hit 2 in a row, Marta came down an hit one, Sara hit one, Maria and Ali kept getting to the rim they were exhausted. Oh well too bad so sad we got a 20 point win lol. Way to head into Easter break with a W.

My goal of 16+ points and 12+ rebounds...WOMP WOMP WOMP didn't happen. I don't understand why I am in this rebounding funk. Can somebody help me, I just don't get it. I try. It just was not happening for me...so a whole month with no double double? I am the self proclaimed "Walking Double Double" I am really falling off. So now I am in the hole. I have 3 games to get 40 rebounds...sounds impossible? Nah nah nah not even. EeTisha Riddle gets boards don't underestimate me lol.

So now what happens? Nothing. Sit in the apartment for 4 days and get out of shape. I might go play pick up with the neighborhood boys one day...I doubt it. I'm jus gon heal up, do push-ups and sit ups, belly dance and finish my novel I have been writing sense I got here in September.

I can't give a playoff update because we played early. Everybody else doesn't play until Saturday...hopefully a couple of the big guns lose!! Keep those fingers crossed!!!

Game Capsule: Race to the Playoffs...Is it still a chance??

4-5-09 Alcobendas vs. Grupo Marsol Conquero 80-61
14pts (5-8 shooting) (1-2 3pt) 7rebs 3ast 2blk...21 value





WE WON!! Man, we needed this game so bad!! We played well from beginning to end. Defensively we was on point, we forced one of the top scorers well under her average but she was hitting tough shots. One time I just shook my head because I don't know how the ball went in because most of the time it would be 2 people in her face!!! She was real frustrated shooting random half court shots for no reason and stuff but aye whatever works for you girl!! But, we won all four quarters and didn't have those scoring droughts for the first time in like 5 games!! Hopefully we can keep that rolling!! My rebounding...wow. So everywhere I ran to the ball went opposite!! I was crashing hard too!! That damn ball just wasn't cooperating with me at all! One time I made a fast move in the lane on a missed free throw but the ball went to the spot I moved from. It was one of those days! I REALLY have to pick it up because I worked so hard to get where I'm at to fall off the last 5 games of the year. But yea team effort Ali scored 27 and Shea had 16 so it was cool. One time I grabbed the rebound and threw a fullcourt chest pass for the lay-up. I started flexing my muscles lol. (Knowing my skinny self don't have any kind of muscles!)

So now we have to get ready for another game on Thursday! Normally we play once a week so now we have to prepare for another game this week! I'm excited I'm used to playing multiple games a week this one week stuff sucks! You play bad and you have a full week to think about it! The only reason we playing so soon is because of Easter they talked to the other team and they scheduled early so they can get more time off. Sounds good right?? NO!!!! We have 5 days off!!! The gym wont be open...nothing! Basketball is the only thing I have here...I have no friends...nowhere to go (wouldn't matter because the city shuts down)...nothing to do but get out of shape!! Now, I do need a day or two to rest my knees because I have Jumper's Knee in both of my knees, but five days??? Then come back to play the 4th place team? Be serious. We HAVE TO WIN ALL OF OUR GAMES FOR A CHANCE IN THE PLAYOFFS!! If you asked me it's like we are shooting ourselves in the foot.

Goal for next game: 16 or more points 12 or more rebounds

Playoff Race
1. MOGUERZA REAL CANOE N.C. (20-6)
2. CAJA RURAL PROMOGEST VALBUSEND (20-6)
3. PROFFASA BADAJOZ EXTREMADURA (20-6)
4. UNIVERSITARIO DE FERROL (19-7)
_____________________________________________
5. ARRANZ - JOPISA BURGOS (19-7)
6. PIO XII (19-7)
7. ISOLUX - CORSAN ALCOBENDAS (17-9)

March Game Capsules: Playoffs? Playoffs? We talkin bout playoffs??

3-14 ASAC COMUNICACIONES ADBA VS. ISOLUX - CORSAN ALCOBENDAS 51-62
20pts (5 for 13) (1 for 1 3pt) 10 rebs...28 value....36 mins

This game right here! We played soooo bad!! We were down by like 15 at halftime!! It was so bad yo we had yet another quarter where we didn't score in double figures!!! You can't do that I don't know why that is happening to us. But its a trend...anyways we came out of half and we played harder and started our comeback. 4th quarter it was ours we locked down on defense and they scored 15 points total in the second half. I started bad but ended strong!! I was beastin and I hit a 3 to put the icing on the cake. My friend from home was there it is so good to see somebody you know in the stands. Great feeling. Good win though.



3-21 ISOLUX - CORSAN ALCOBENDAS - PIO XII 63-76
16pts (7 for 12) 16rebs...31 value...27 mins

This was a great game...for 3 quarters! We were back and forth and alot of lead changes. We were up by 7 or 8 at half. But once again we had a quarter where we scored like 8 points!! Problem...it was the 4th quarter!! I don't know the hell our problem is because this single digit scoring is going to show up again but i'll get back to that later. Anyways, I played well I was gobbling every single board it seemed like but that wasn't enough. The wierd thing is that my minutes are going down...because I'm hurt? I feel no pain in the games and I think I only had 1 foul...i don't know though I honestly think when we had the lead I shouldn't have sat so long because I got back in it was a 1pt lead and they had the momentum and it was a rap from there. So I don't know I guess me being the top player 1pt lead down 1pt whatever I have to be the one to get it done so yea blame on me...but I don't get touches either 12 shots in the game half were probably from offensive rebounds...something to think about...


3-28 MOGUERZA REAL CANOE N.C. - ISOLUX - CORSAN ALCOBENDAS 83-58
8pts (4 for 9) 7rebs...8 value...33 mins

This game was rediculous. Yea I said it. The first half was close we were back and forth. The game was really physical which of course is another teams advantage especially at their home court so they can get away with everything. In international basketball physical is the name of the game anyway so I wouldn't expect nothing less. But in the second half, yo you can hang it up. The fourth quarter I think he had 6 points total and they had 30. Our coach got throwed out of the game. It was just a mess. I just didn't play well at all. I wasn't feeling very well but still I have no idea why I slumped like that. This game was important for both of us because of the playoffs. They needed the win to stay in and we needed the win to get one game closer and we would have beat this team twice so we would win the tie break if it came down to that. So yea I didn't step up apparently. But again I give you something to think about…I took 9 shots…3 was offensive rebounds…as a post player I depend on other people to get me the ball so how can I do my thing if I don’t have the ball…something else to think about.

So basically a couple trends…my minutes are weird right now and my shot attempts. I am not one to complain about shots. I am not a selfish player, I am an extremely good passer and I look for shooters first but I only average probably 10 shots a game and 3 off rebs a game so basically im getting 7 shots 1 on 1 and I am statistically the best player that doesn’t add up you know. But hey its ok I just hope my teamates start making shots so the inside can open up more and I can help. I still need to work harder rebounding in traffic. That’s the goal for this next month…Traffic Rebounding and better post position.

Playoffs??? Well here is the latest standings...

1. PROFFASA BADAJOZ EXTREMADURA (20-5)
2. CAJA RURAL PROMOGEST VALBUSEND (19-6)
3. MOGUERZA REAL CANOE N.C. (19-6)
4. UNIVERSITARIO DE FERROL (18-7)
5. ARRANZ - JOPISA BURGOS (18-7)
6. PIO XII (18-7)
7. ISOLUX - CORSAN ALCOBENDAS (16-9)

So we sitting pretty at 7th place (16 teams total). The TOP 4 TEAMS go to the playoffs. We are 2 games back with 5 games left in the season. The only playoff team we play is Ferrol in a couple of weeks everybody else is at the bottom of the bracket. Soooo, if we win all 5 and a couple of these teams beat up on each other...we might still have a chance. If we would have won against Canoe we would have had a better chance. Key thing is that its basketball...anything can happen!

Game Capsule: March 7, 2009: Alcobendas vs. Badajoz

Score: 53-73
Statline: 8pts...6rebs...26 minutes...6 value

Ok. Statistically one of my worse games. It wasn't that they played good defense because they play lax D because they have 7 players and they don't want to pick up silly fouls. But I couldnt hit wide open jumpshots or make semi contested lay-ups. Matter a fact nobody on my team could make wide open jumpshots or semi-contested lay-ups. To make it worse we made one field goal in the 4th quarter...that's why we lost. The game was close the first three quarters. The biggest lead we had was 7 but it was back and forth back and forth in the makings of being a hell of a game...down to the wire. But we went zone at the end of the 3rd and ol girl from the other team knocked down two threes in a row and we couldnt respond. 4th quarter comes along and we got absolutely nothing going and they had everything going right. So bam there you have it a 20 point loss.

My problem: I know I have to play big from here on out. I got the attention of the entire league people saying im this im that and in big games my ass is not showing up. It's wierd because in College big games I beasted especially when I'm playing against somebody who is considered better than me...so why am I struggling right now I have no idea. A 6 value at home is inexcusable. What happend was that I let the coach get to me. I would shoot a open jumpshot (that on any other day I would make) he would yell get inside get inside...I go inside and pick up an offensive foul and he still yelling that I wasn't inside but I was on the block. The reason I chill at the high post is because the ball doesnt get reversed an the other post is down there posting but I get yelled at. Another example, on D the girl on the other team curled I stopped the curl I wasnt switching but my teamate switched guess who got yelled at for switching...ME! Therefore I was conscious of everything I was doing, making me second guess myself. On top of that my teamates are iffy looking at me when I post up. 3 out of the 7 they look at me first...everybody else pays no attention. Then one point guard doesnt look up and when she does look up she is not strong enough to make a full court pass when I'm running the floor, or the proper over the top pass when i'm cutting. So most of the time I feel like its a waste of energy. But, I have to keep doing in to prepare for my future. My next team might have amazing passers so I just keep working. I just say to myself go rebound I'll have better luck because depending on them to get me the ball, at least for right now, is for the birds.

Basically you can see I'm extremely frustrated. If Coach dont want me to shoot unless I'm inside fine. If he can't realize that I am really struggling right now to get anything one on one inside and is more affective at the high post what can i do? Or the fact that I work hard inside for position and don't even get looked at...hey aint nothing i can do then either. So, I have to work hard on the glass and run the floor. That's all I can do because playin our offense 5 on 5 is not working with me on the floor nor is me not even being looked at with good position.

If what I've been successful at doing all year is suddenly not working for you then they can find a "better" post player and send me home. I'd be more than happy to go. Please don't be fooled because basketball is going absolutely wonderful for me that my numbers are great and team record is great, oh no the mental battle is on another level. The past 6 months have ben a nightmare. Isolation can literally drive you to the point of insanity. To Be Continued...

Second Half Recap: THE BEAST HAS ARRIVED...Weeks 14-21

Well this stretch of games have been crazy. we are 6-2 in this stretch (15-6 overall)..that's the best way to describe it...one thing for sure is that "The Beast" inside of me has finally arrived in spain and it took 15 weeks for it go get here...now everybody is watching. Here is the game capsules:

C.B. BEMBIBRE PDM - ISOLUX - CORSAN ALCOBENDAS 67-71
---First game back from Christmas and ummm yea we barely pulled this game off. Hard faught and PDM wasn't going away. They was killing us on the glass. The stats people fucked me because I had 3 killer blocks they had me down for ZERO (assholes) plus they didn't give me all my rebounds but whatever that's life on the road. I had a overall bad game (12 points (5 for 9) 8 rebounds value of 14). Just happy to get out of there with a win.


ISOLUX - CORSAN ALCOBENDAS - C.B. ARXIL COMERVIA 83-77
---THE BEAST ARRIVED THIS GAME!!!...First off I had a chip on my shoulders because we were playing against the MVP of the league. Everybody talks about how great she is (well deserved she's a great player) but I knew that she wasn't me and it was time for everyone to see it. From the beginning tip I was on fire...offensive rebound after offensive rebound basket after basket. I scored 24 points and 10 rebounds at halftime. On fire. I was in the zone and it was nothing they could do about it. The game was close we finally pulled away at the end. I ended the game with 32 points 17 rebounds with a record breaking high 50 value (the highest so far this season). Yessir. I definately got EVERYONES attention that night...not playin any games it just got serious!!


ISOLUX - CORSAN ALCOBENDAS - ARRANZ - JOPISA BURGOS 73-70
---Boyy this game right here!! Crazy as hell that's all I can say. We built like a 15 point lead in the 3rd and they came all the way back to within 1 point with 11 secs left in the game. One of my teammates wasn't paying attention and fouled the other teams point guard on purpose. (I was so mad she totally lost her mind for a moment) The girl made 2 free throws and put them ahead by 1. We come down and get a cheap foul (thanks home refs lol) and my teammate made 1 of 2...I got the offensive rebound and shot a random turnaround as time expired and it rimmed out. In overtime I fouled out off of some bullshit but whatever...we dug deep and pulled off the win. I had 15 points 13 rebounds with a value of 21. I played well that game ferreal. **This game was highlighted on TeleMadrid here is tha video clip from the sports show!!**

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUooFQxEVjY



CAJA RURAL PROMOGEST VALBUSENDA - ISOLUX - CORSAN ALCOBENDAS 92-66
---I don't even want to talk about this game. We got our asses kicked. We didn't even fight thats the messed up part about it. Bad news was that I went down with a knee injury early in the second and didn't come back until the 4th quarter. I tried to do my best Willis Reed impression but it wasn't happening. It was the bad knee so I did the best I could I did end the game with 16 points 7 rebs in 20 mins.


ISOLUX - CORSAN ALCOBENDAS - C.R.E.F. ¡HOLA! 86-66
---We started off slow, but we picked it up and beasted our down the street rivals. Not much to say about the game we was on point, ran the floor, good defense, good ball movement, and got the blowout win. I had 22 points 16 rebounds with a 42 value. Yessir. Killing.

**After this game I was voted MVP of the month!!!! What is the world coming to I know I know lol**


PABELLON OURENSE - ISOLUX - CORSAN ALCOBENDAS 69-58
---This was one of the worse games in the history of games. Why? Because Ourense had won 1 game all year!!! They play the game of their lives and beat us. That game knocked us out of sole position of 4th place. FYI top 4 teams go to the playoffs. From the beginning they set the physical tone and I didn't respond. I was getting deboed the whole game and ran into some foul trouble. I totally take blame for this loss I let they deboe me and that shit aint happening no more. We pulled within 2 points but turnovers messed us up. Basically, if I would have did what I was suppose to do we would have won. Point Blank Period. I had 9 points 4 rebs with a value of 7. Damn shame.


ISOLUX - CORSAN ALCOBENDAS - DURÁN MAQUINARIA ENSINO 70-59
---This game was in the bag from beginning to end but we let them back in the game late in the 4th quarter. This was an important game because 1. we just lost to the worse team in the league 2. this is the 2nd worse team in the league 3. our head coach was out of the country on business. We played well and kept their MVP candidate at bay she got in terrible foul trouble and didn't get to play much. Wonderful for us because she is a great player. All in all we bounced back. I had 13 points and 11 rebounds with a value of 22.


AROS - ISOLUX - CORSAN ALCOBENDAS 73-90
---Another team at the bottom of the rankings. We needed this win and we got it. It was out of reach early but late in the fourth we let them back in the game. I had a horrible shooting day I was wide open and it was really easy to get position and do what I wanted but the rims were kind of tight and I didn't make the proper adjustments (i shot 6-14). I was so dissappointed in myself for the misses. Concentration thing I guess. But I ended with 22 points and 14 rebounds with a value of 31. Good game I needed it...


**9 more weeks and the stakes are high because I want to get to the playoffs!!!! Underdog has got to prevail!!! **