North Carolina State University Athletics
GameDay Number One Is Finally Here
12/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 21, 2001
Cancun, Mexico -- It's taken a while, but the first game-day of the tournament is finally upon us. Two and a half days of relaxation and fun gave way to the reason that brought us here. The Torneo del Baloncesto presented by Sport Tours, Inc.
The team met for another first-rate Fiesta Americana Cancun breakfast buffet at 11:00 this morning. Boy, will we miss this when it's gone. I don't think any other spot will hold a candle to the fresh fruit options and the scrumptious omelets like we've all had every day since we arrived.
The mood was upbeat, as I think the novelty had worn off a bit on Cancun's tourism side. Now the Pack wanted some action. However before action would commence, videographer Todd Rausch was able to haggle (as is the norm in Mexico) and enjoy a 50-minute jetski ride bouncing across the choppy seas after breakfast.
Boarding the bus at 1:45pm, the Pack was focused and holding high anticipation. This game would not be easy, particularly with two games in 17 days, and just one structured practice at the arena yesterday. Although I took pause when walking out to the bus, I caught starting forward Talisha Scates in the business office checking her email one last time! That'll be 10 pesos for 10 minutes - or a buck in our jargon.
A monster crowd of 121 was on hand for the tip-off. (Does sarcasm play in Mexico?) Most of the "fans" were managers, radio personnel, and other teams' coaching staffs. Aside from that, about 50 were locales. One of the lightest moments came during the first media time-outs where two young Mexican boys, who had been camped out inches away from our radio position midway up the bleachers, figured they wanted to be part of the Wolfpack team huddle. So they wandered onto the court without hesitation, trying to push their way in to see what everyone in red was talking about! Guess this is one of the reasons soccer is Mexico's passion!
The Pack started sluggishly in the game falling behind 19-7 within 8 minutes, and it proved costly. NC State never led, and despite a high-energy boost from backup point guard Kendra Bell, the closest the Pack would get was a tie late in the first half. Mississippi State (9-2) won its fifth straight 71-58 over the Pack (6-4), and claimed the Torneo del Baloncesto title by virtue of wins over the two clubs (NC State and Pitt).
If the loss weren't tough enough, the Wolfpack had to wait an extra 30 minutes after the game to board the bus which was caught in Cancun's version of Friday afternoon "rush-hour" traffic. Keep in mind, this mostly consists of taxis, buses and a few meandering food delivery guys on bicycles!
A quick shower back at the hotel, and the Pack was off to a dinner at Tony Roma's. Roma's widely known as a top-rate rib restaurant proved to be another near-disaster. As it turned out, both the Wolfpack and Mississippi State teams had reservations at Roma's, and with the Pack arriving about 20 minutes late, the Lady Bulldogs beat the Pack for the second time on the day... only this time to the outdoor banquet dining room. After a dogfight with Roma's management, the Pack were finally seated in the interior of the restaurant across six different tables and booths.
The coaching staff for the Pack remained back at the hotel to watch videotape of tomorrow's opponent - Pittsburgh (3-7).
Most of the players left after their meal, while the rest of us were still waiting on our food to arrive. Before leaving, the Roma's wait-staff echoed a mixed rendition of Happy Birthday and Feliz Cumpleanos to shooting guard Rachel Stockdale, who turned 19 today. No cake was delivered to Rachel, as it must be customary for Mexicans to celebrate birthdays with a drink. A flaming coffee liqueur was handed to Rachel, who sheepishly glanced at her father about the drink. Rachel would only blow out the flame, and hand the drink to her father, who could only ingest about a half of it before he winced at the power and taste of it, and pushed it away.
The shoot-around for the Pack is on for 9:30am Saturday, then returning for a late-morning pasta-filled lunch prior to the 3:00pm game (4:00 eastern).
Just one more full day in Cancun. It's gone by so quickly, but the Pack sorely need to leave with a win. Four straight non-conference losses is a school first, and the staff and players are looking at the game with Pitt as a must-win.
Tomorrow's final column will list out some of the more odd observations I've made during the trip, and hopefully an account of a 2nd-place victory for the Pack
!Hasta manana!
Saturday's Schedule:
8:00 -- Team breakfast
8:45 -- Bus departs for morning shootaround
9:30 -- Shootaround at arena
11:45 -- Team lunch
1:30 -- Depart for arena
3:00 -- NC STATE v. Pittsburgh
6:30 -- Final team dinner in Cancun
Today's weather: The clouds finally gave way to mostly sunshine and 78 degrees.
The breeze is still with us, but a crystal-clear evening gives promise to a spectacular last day in Mexico.
