Nov. 25, 2008
ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF women's basketball team arrived in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Tuesday afternoon after a day of traveling. The players were visibly excited and intrigued by their new surroundings, and ready to experience the week, both on and off the court.
"It is really beautiful here and very different from what I was expecting," said sophomore Chelsie Wiley. "I have always been close to the water growing up in West Palm Beach and I love the water, so in some ways this is just like home."
UCF (1-2) will get to work on the hardwood on Thursday, playing against sixth-ranked Baylor (4-0) at 3:30 p.m eastern time. In the meantime the Knights will get a chance to enjoy their surroundings, with a catamaran and snorkel tour planned for Wednesday morning and the tournament's opening banquet Wednesday evening at Paradise Point.
Two members of the Knights' coaching staff, head coach Joi Williams and assistant coach Courtney Locke are experiencing the Paradise Jam for the second time. Williams was an assistant coach on Florida's staff when the Gators played in the 2001 tournament, and Locke won the Paradise Jam as a player in 2004 as a guard for Rutgers.
"I think it is just a wonderful experience," said Locke. "It is a blessing for me to be able to come here twice, but for our players they not ever get to experience travel like this and experience the environment and how beautiful it is here. The biggest thing that they will get out of it is to see what it is like to play out of the states, to visit someplace else and learn about a different culture. As a player they are going to play against some top players and elite programs. They'll get to see how they stack up and get the confidence to help up prepare for our conference season."
Below is a journal of the trip's events on Day 1. Continue to check back to UCFAthletics.com for updated journal entries and events from the Knights' stay in paradise.
Tuesday, Nov. 25
- 6:15 a.m. - Loaded the bus and departed for Orlando International Airport
- 8:35 a.m. - Departed via American Airlines flight for Miami, Fla.
- 12:05 p.m. - Departed Miami en route to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
- 2:33 p.m. - Arrive in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
- 3:15 p.m. - Depart airport via open bus to Marriot Frenchman's Reef and Morning Star Resort
- 3:43 p.m. - Arrive at Frenchman's Resort, speak with officials from Basketball Travelers regarding the hotel, the week's event and the surrounding community.
- 4:17 p.m. - Players, coaches and staff dispersed to explore the vast experiences St. Thomas has to offer.