By Andrew Smith
Women’s basketball is in the heart of their season. While the players are training hard every day to improve their play, the midpoint of the season can serve as a great time to reflect on what has occurred and focus on what can be improved.
Graduate student Ty’zhea Hawkins shared a personal reflection on the state of the team and her play, starting with her favorite moment: beating nationally-ranked Bentley on their home floor. In that game, Hawkins led the Panthers with 39 played minutes and totaled 17 points. Hawkins also sank the two game-winning free throws with seconds remaining to put away the ranked Falcons. “We knew we could beat them, and we did,” she said.
Moments such as this are critical and can turn a bad stretch around very quickly.
The winter intersession is almost right in the middle of the season. While the campus may be empty and students are away on vacation, the athletic teams are locked in and preparing for the second half of their season. Hawkins said, “Without the students, campus is quiet and low-key, and I spend a lot of time enjoying the peace and quiet. Since the dining halls aren’t open, we spend time with each other getting food off campus or watching movies together.”
Hawkins described how the practice schedule is affected by the winter intersession. “As for practice, we go between an hour and a half and two hours, and we usually lift after on the assigned days.”
Hawkins also added how regular season games during the intersession affect her differently than a game during a week of classes would. “Playing during the intersession is always challenging, but it helps with being focused since class isn't going on.”
While the season is in the stretch run, there is still plenty of basketball to play. Hawkins said, “We are taking it one practice, game and possession at a time. There is so much basketball left to be played and we can’t wait to enjoy the rest of it.”
Hawkins explained how a team can view the postseason and how it motivates you throughout the highs and lows of a season. “The key to the postseason would be that motivation keeps you going, but discipline keeps you growing.
The final home game of the season is Tuesday, February 21 at 5:30 pm when Adelphi welcomes the College of Saint Rose. This game is also senior night where the team and fans take time to celebrate our soon-to-be alumni. Be sure to come out and support our Panthers as they enter the final stretch of their season.