Nighttime Wkout
Well, with it being the first regular day back to school it was back to the routine of classes and basketball. I had one early class that went pretty quickly and I headed to the gym to get up some shots with my teammate, Jason Ridenhour. We both got up about 150 made shots in 1 1/2 hours while working on game situations--- pick and roll, pick and pop, transition 3's, etc. We didn't want to burn out to bad because we had a team workout scheduled for 8:45pm. However, before I could focus on that I had to concentrate on a presentation that I had to do at 2:45pm for my Human Resources class. Presenting is not my favorite thing to do, but I did not have a choice because I needed a good grade so I got it done---- I might have turned a little bit red while doing it though, ha.---When that was completed, I shook off my excitement and went home to get a bit of rest and to rehydrate because the amount of sweat I lost during the presentation !! j/k.....But I did go get a lot of water in me and when the time came, I headed back to the gym to get in a stretch before we hit the floor.
It was a very hectic workout because we had so much to cover in just an hour of time. We are still not allowed to have full blown practice so time is limited. Things were not too tough for me to pick up on being a returner from last year but I could see some of the newcomers getting confused so it is important, for me, to be patient with them and direct them in any way that I can. We did some position skill development, defensive stops drill, transition offense 5 on 0, press break 5 on 0, then we did a bit of scrimmaging, and ended with a suicide (finished in 26seconds). I have to say that the scrimmage was full of intensity but with a lack of execution, which can be expected for our team at this time. Execution will come with practice but the intensity is what excited me the most from top to bottom. This includes Kenny George 7ft 8inch 360lb center, who was moving better than he has since I've been a part of the program. When I say WARNING !!! please believe I mean it because the sky is the limit for him----literally! The UNCA coaching staff brought their intensity and whether they know it or not, it was contagious (sp). For that I am thankful because a workout at 8:45 pm is tough but they were leaders in making sure we were focused on the tasks at hand.
For next time, as a team, we have to execute better and be more organized on both sides of the floor. I feel like both of these areas are areas where I can make a difference with my experience and leadership especially with the young guys. Our other seniors did well being vocal today also--- Vincent James, Garrett Moles (KJ Garland is sick--get better soon bro we need you).
To wrap things up tonight I'd like to talk about the results of the Big South Media Days. We were selected 5th out of 8 teams with our entire roster returning with the exception of 1 graduating senior. We had no All Conference Selections on the first team. I am not totally surprised after the incident last year where we were the only team in the conference without an all conference selection-- Charleston Southern had somebody on there and they won 2games!!! With that said, I am not surprised at the turnout of selections, but I do take it a bit personal. My dad (Les Smithson) always told me not to worry about these types of things and I won't. He always said that the hard work will prevail in the end and people will not be able to deny me or the team any recognition we deserve. With that said, it is important for us to win a lot of games and then things will fall into place. This situation is no different than any other that I have ever been in--- I have been flying under the radar for years, but anybody who played against me knows exactly who I am and what I can do. Therefore, nothing has changed because the only awards that matter are at the end of the season. More of my Dad's advice. Thanks
