After being released from the San Antonio Silver Stars last year, former Middle Tennessee State forward Alysha Clark (@Alysha_Clark) is back in training camp for a second shot at making the roster. She has offered to provide us first-hand insight about her experience with a training camp journal. Today she writes about the team's road trip to Connecticut for their first preseason game against the Sun.
Day 9:
Today was a long day. We had to be at the airport by 6 am. It was funny when we got there because some of the girls didn't get the text that said we were allowed to wear jeans. Ha-ha so they were just a little upset.
On the first plane ride, a little girl in front of us was screaming she wanted to get off the plane. She was so upset and just crying. It was funny. She eventually was calmed down when her mom gave her a coloring book.
When we got to Connecticut, we checked into our hotel and then went straight to practice. It was just a review of everything we've gone over and a lot of shooting.
After practice we showered and then went to dinner. I got to see my roomie Danielle McCray because she came and ate with us. My dinner was terrible though! Then we got a much needed night of sleep.
Day 10:
It's Game Day!! We had shoot around at 11. We shot a lot and then reviewed some of our plays. It was a very relaxed yet focused atmosphere.
On game days I don't have any special routines, just depends on how I feel that day.
For pregame we ate at Michael Jordan's sports cafe. You have to be 21 just to get in there and eat! But it was delicious!
At 5 we headed to the gym to get ready for the game.
We played well as a team tonight!
We have a lot to improve on, but for our first showing, we didn't do too badly. After the game we went to eat with some of the Connecticut players at this seafood restaurant. It's nice to be able to do your own thing before and after games and practices. That's one difference I love about playing professionally over college.
We have an early morning, so I'm going to get some rest!
Until next time,
Alysha
Related:
Silver Stars coach Dan Hughes on San Antonio's 80-56 win over Connecticut:
2011 Connecticut Sun: Rounding Into Shape More Than Halfway Through Preseason - Swish Appeal
"I wish I could tell you what we did. It wasn’t any great strategy, but we played out of our defense a little and when you get that, we got some lay-ups thrown in and we knocked down a couple of shots and that is typical preseason," said San Antonio head coach Dan Hughes. "It’s a good start for us, a good effort. Connecticut is going to be a very good team and our ladies were ready to play them."