EDITORS NOTE: Throughout the 2008-09 season, sophomore Emma Cannon will be writing a blog to give UCF women's basketball fans an inside look of the team on and off the court.
August 27, 2009
Hey UCF fans,
Welcome back!!! With the new school year, you find lost freshmen, nowhere to park and the sun seems as if it has nowhere else to be but right above your head as you walk to class. Other than that aren't we just excited about another year at UCF?!? LOL! I know the UCF women's basketball team is eager to begin the new school year. This past weekend we did community service at the Coalition for the Homeless. There we meet and played outside with the kids who lived there.
We started our day with a nice game of Knockout, where I found myself watching most of the game because after one shot one of the young boys knocked me out before I could get my layup in. He actually ended up winning the entire game knocking out jelly, with a little help from me!
After a couple more games of that we began a game of kickball. That's when the real fun started. It was the whole team against the kids and some of our coaches and assistants. It was suppose to be just a game for fun, but we were all too competitive for that. Even our head coach got in and kicked a couple times for the kids' team. She never made it that far though... LOL! In the end we won 14-13, but overall we enjoyed our time with them. Community service is always good for our team, it gives us a chance to realize how fortunate we are and that we should always be grateful for what we have.
We also had a team meeting at Coach Brown's house on Sunday where we ate and talked about our up and coming school/basketball year. On the court, we ended our season on a very good note. Even though it was a great accomplishment to make it to the NCAA tournament we don't just want to settle. We have a lot more we want to do this season, and everyone is on the same page with what it's going to take. But of course the student comes before the athlete so we the players know we have to make it happen in the classroom before we make it happen on the court.
I am officially back for the 2009-10 school year to take you through and keep you posted on what the UCF women's basketball team is getting into. So make sure you stay tuned because your Conference USA champs are back in action to bring you another year you'll never forget!!!
See you soon,
E Cannon 24
March 17, 2009
Hey UCF fans,
First of all the UCF Women's basketball team would like to thank all of our fans. We really appreciate all the support from everyone because you have played a pivotal role in our success so far. This season has consisted of many ups and downs, but we never gave up and today we are known as the 2008-2009 Conference USA Tournament Champions.
The road started with a trip back to New Orleans. We had just ended our last road trip in New Orleans by losing to Tulane. We went back looking to get those memories out of our heads and start our second season. With the bracket posted in the hotel and all 11 teams staying at the same place, there was always an intense and urgent feeling to go out and play. Our first opponent was Rice. Even though in the beginning of the season we beat them by 25, we knew every team was different when it came to tournament time. By beating Rice by two points, 66-64, we pulled away and moved on to the next round to play Houston. Houston was one of the teams who beat us earlier in the season, and also embarrassed us on national television. When we returned from that game we had a practice that we will never forget, and we felt that we to redeem ourselves against them this time around. We jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, winning 79-66 to move on.
Then the semifinals. At this point (not saying that this was never a thought in our minds to begin with) but we had come too far to go home without a ring. Up against SMU next, we were able to practice for 55 minutes instead of the 30 like the games before. But all the time was not used. It is not that we felt we already had the game in the bag, but we came in the gym with no energy for some reason.
Coach Williams sent us back to the hotel and told us, "You have the chance of a lifetime to win the whole thing and make it to the NCAA Tournament, and you come to practice like this." When we got back to the hotel after breakfast we had a team meeting. As Coach Hughey said, we needed to vent and get all the unnecessary out. And we did, Coach Hughey had every player say something that we felt. We left it in his room and came out to the game as a different team. We beat SMU that day and moved into the Finals. That night at dinner we waited to find out who we played. It was either going to be Southern Miss or Marshall, and low and behold at the end of the day it was Southern Miss.
Everyone felt it was only right we played them. This was the team who ended our season last year on our own home court. This was the team who was picked to be number one in our conference against the team picked to finish LAST, us! This was the game we wanted, and knew was going to be a fight for 40 minutes. We jumped out and led throughout the whole first half. During the second half they made their run but we were prepared. We knew they were going to hit so we had to hit back. We were tied at the end of the half 52-52, when Candace Rucker stole the ball and went in for a wide open layup to end the game and walk away a champion. In that moment my heart dropped and I thought we didn't come this far for it to end like this. The ball hit the back of the rim and bounced out as the time expired. We knew then that it was meant for us to win.
As we headed into overtime Coach Williams told us they had their chance to win and that now it was our time. We took what she said and ran with it. Southern Miss did not make a single field goal in overtime only made two free throws on the line. Meanwhile we scored 13 minutes in the extra five minutes.
When the final buzzer sounded, we became Champions. That feeling has no words to describe it. There were tears and smiles and it was just a GREAT experience. And I enjoyed every minute of it. I told my teammates I was more tired from cheering than I was from the game lol. Cutting down the net felt good because we worked so hard and deserved it. Chelsie and I made the all-tournament team joined by Pauline Love, Amber Eugene (both Southern Miss), and Tynikki Crook from Marshall. This is just one, we believe we have what it takes to bring home two more with everyone retuning next year and the year after that. We want to send a BIG shout out to our band from New Orleans. They created our new anthem and got us ready before every game with the UC...UC...UC, UCF cheer!!!!
We will continue our journey this Saturday against UNC. University of North Carolina has had a name for their sports for years. We found out last night and are excited about the opportunity, but more so we are ready to play again. We will be playing on ESPN 2 at 12pm and I hope everyone gets to watch the game and cheer us on against the Tar Heels.
See u soon!
E Cannon 24
Feb. 26, 2009
Hey UCF fans,
WE'RE BACK!!! After a long road trip, the women's basketball team has finally returned home. With our last two games coming up it is important that we get all the support possible. The road wasn't too kind to us, so it is pivotal that we get wins in these last two games heading into the Conference USA tournament, which is next week in New Orleans.
While we were away, we played in El Paso, Texas. It was a cool experience being in a new place. The hotel we stayed in was nice, and the elevator was glass so you could whenever someone was going up and down.
As a team we have fallen away from who we are. We've lost the last three out of our four games. And we can't afford another one. This is where you all come in...we need the home support. So far this season we have won all six of our games at home in conference play and our fans have been a major reason why. We start off against Memphis Thursday at 7:00pm and then play our last game Sunday at 3:00 p.m. against UAB.
See u soon!
E Cannon 24
Feb. 11, 2009
Hey UCF fans,
The women's basketball program is on the rise. We are currently second in the conference with an 8-2 record. With the four years we have been in Conference USA the Knights have had a losing seasons, but things are changing. I would like to thank all the fans for supporting us during our four-game home stretch. Thanks to all of your support we are still undefeated at home in conference play.
We leave Thursday to start off a four-game road trip. We start off playing Marshall and ECU this weekend. We beat them the first time we played them at home, but there both bound to be good games. I continue to ask for everyone's support because you all play a huge role in our success. Defense and rebounding are going to be the keys to winning on the road, so as long as we do that then we are sure to continue to build on our program and have a chance to battle for the conference championship when we return home to our fans at the end of the month.
Sorry to be brief, but like I said we leave tomorrow so I have some packing to get to!
Until next time,
E Cannon 24
Jan. 28, 2009
Hey UCF fans,
So if you guys and girls don't know yet the UCF women's basketball team is 4-2 in the conference. Though our record isn't perfect we have the best conference record the UCF women's basketball team has had in a long time. And we have the opportunity for it to be better. We are back at home for four-straight home games, and we need everyone there to support us. It starts off Thursday against East Carolina at 7 p.m.
The team took a trip to the outlet mall the other day, and we all enjoyed time out with just the girls. It was a nice day and everyone just got a chance to hang out, and of course shop LOL. Just being able to bond with the girls outside the school and the court was cool. I am a sneaker fanatic. I have too many sneakers but only two feet. But of course I found some more to add to my collection. They also had some good deals on clothes so I didn't leave with just one bag LOL.
Our last game wasn't played to the best of our ability, and it didn't help that we played it on TV. Practice also played a role in it because we haven't been practicing like a championship team. It's not that we ever lost focus of our goal, but we became comfortable. We have ten more games left until we look to win the conference tournament and get to the NCAA Tournament. Nothing will be handed to us or will be easy. We have to fight, and in the end all the hard work will pay off.
One more thing before I let you go. Our game on Saturday at 6 p.m. against Marshall is our 10K Gold Rush game where we will look to break the attendance record. We really hope everyone will come out to watch us play the Thundering Herd. While students get in free, everyone else will get in only by paying one dollar. Now the best part other than getting to watch us play - free t-shirts. The first 500 fans will get a free 10K Gold Rush t-shirt. See you there wearing gold!
Until next time,
E Cannon 24
Jan. 7, 2009
Hey UCF fans,
Happy New Year, and with 2009 on the mind change is in works. If you all did not know the UCF women's basketball team recently won their Conference USA opener against Southern Miss. It was the first time we ever beat them, and last year in the conference tournament we were eliminated in the first round by Southern Miss by only two points. That game ended our season and left us with a feeling we couldn't forget. Beating them was great but only the beginning to a changing season. We feel good about our conference season, but we are taking it one game at a time, and of course need your help when we turn home after a three-game road trip.
Since last year it has become a tradition on our team to do secret Santa. We go over our coach's house for dinner and to exchange gifts. Of course you do not know who you have so you have to guess until you find out. This year I had my position coach, Coach Brown. I did not think he would get me on his first guess, but he did. I had him last year and I didn't expect to pick him two years in a row, especially when we randomly pick the name out of a hat. Before the dinner we have bags in our locker room with our names on them, and for seven days we put small gifts into our secret Santa's bag, and then at the special dinner we exchange the big gift. For his small gifts, I knew that he loves Diet Mountain Dew, so I brought him a 6pack of those. For his big gift I found a lovely Adidas grey and black hoodie that I just knew he would enjoy, LOL. For my secret Santa, on the other hand, I had no clue of who it was. I was lost, and was just saying any name that popped into my head. Come to find out it was Marshay, someone I never thought to think of even though I have known her since the seventh grade. She brought me a set of things from Bed Bath and Beyond, and it smells great. Overall, the dinner was special and the food was great.
We leave Wednesday for a two-game road trip against Memphis and UAB. We are looking forward to bringing two wins back, but like I said we are taking it one game at a time. This is the year of change, and with the first half of our season over and a new one beginning it is time to start putting everything together and playing like a winning team. Keep up with your New Year's resolutions because anything is possible if you truly commit to do it.
Until next time,
E Cannon 24
Dec. 30, 2008
Hey UCF fans,
Merry Christmas and happy New Years to all. I hope everyone is having a great break and enjoying time with your families. After our three back-to-back-to-back home games, we were able to get away from basketball for a while and return home to our families. If you all didn't know, I am a New Yorker, so I was able to spend Christmas in the snow.
I traveled home with Marshay, and once we got there the weather was nothing like Florida. The wind was blowing and the snow was coming down hard. I must admit the weather was worth it though. I hadn't seen my mom in three months, and my brother flew in from Philly, and I hadn't seen him a couple years. Once I got home I fell right into a little kid mode when I saw presents under the tree. I still love to open presents, but my mom put me to work before I could get a good look at them. Shoveling snow is no picnic. It's a full workout, and I got my fair share of it.
On Christmas morning we all exchanged and opened gifts. My favorite part was watching my mom open the gift my brother and I brought for her. She does so much for us; we like to show her that she is appreciated. Later on that day, we had friends and family over for dinner and to hangout and watch the NBA games. Overall the day was great, and the food was the best part. My brother cooked everything. The food was so good people went back for a second and third plate.... Ummmmm I'm hungry jus thinking about it.
Of course every good thing must come to an end, and when it was time to go back to school, I was sad, but it was a bitter sweet situation. I knew I was returning home to my second family who I missed, and we were beginning the second half of our season. It is time for us to pick it up and start getting some wins under our belt. We start off playing Florida State on New Years Eve before we go into our conference season, which kicks off on Sat., January 3 against Southern Miss. Come out and show your support. It will be greatly appreciated, and we hope to see you there.
Until next time,
E Cannon 24
Dec. 2, 2008
Hey UCF fans,
Let me first start of by saying I am very thankful for my Thanksgiving this year. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves and ate lots and lots of turkey and mac and cheese....umm, my favorite! The women's basketball team was fortunate enough to be able to travel to the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands during Thanksgiving week.
St. Thomas was the most beautiful place I have ever seen, and when we landed I was so amazed. Every day was a nice day and walking out on the balcony of my hotel room brought me nothing but happiness. On the first day we got there I went to the beach. We stayed in the hotel with other teams such as Baylor, Cal, Texas Tech, Villanova, Wisconsin, and USF. Our hotel had two different swimming pools, several restaurants and its own beach. It also had a view that you could never forget.
Before we began practices and games we had a chance to get closer on our family level, and we went snorkeling Wednesday morning. That was fun. We rode on a boat to a different island that was about 15 minutes away. The ride there was great, and laying on the front of the boat with the sun shining down on me, I could not have asked for anything more.
Once we got there we got there Jelly and Leah jumped straight in the water, which, by the way, was at least 20 feet deep. I couldn't just jump in. I needed instructions because I can't swim so I was a little nervous. Once I put that life jacket on I was in the water looking for fish. It was hard at first because I'm not use to being under water and still being able to breath. Once I got the hang of that it was easy from there. Seeing all those different fish was cool and swimming with them was even better. We even got to see an old shipwreck that was still under water.
The food in the Virgin Islands was great, never once was there a complaint about it from anyone. In order to travel to practices and games we rode in taxis that were trucks, but in the back had rows of seats with no doors or windows. They drive on the left side of the road and everyone beeps at one another. The beeps are never for negative reasons, but just because everyone knows everyone. Our bus driver, whose name was Dr. Pepper, honked his horn every two seconds. The amount of people that live there is the same amount of people that attend our school.
Even though we lost all our games, we learned from each one. This trip brought us closer together and made us realize how close we are to being "That Team." We are looking forward to seeing you all at our next home game against Miami on Dec. 18. Study hard for those exams if you got them.
Until next time,
E Cannon 24
Nov. 19, 2008
Hey UCF fans,
Hope everyone's weekend went well. As you all know, the UCF women's basketball team went to Colorado to play the Buffs in Boulder. If you haven't been out to Colorado, let me be the first to tell you that it is very beautiful. The mountains looked unreal, and even though you're 5,000 feet above sea level and it can get really cold, it still has its nice days.
Since it was our first road trip, it gave our freshmen a chance to see how we travel. With there being so many people that travel with us, there are a lot of bags. As for the bags, let us just say the freshmen have to give an extra hand with. I mean we all had to do it, it is that unwritten rule in the book. The plane ride there was four hours long, and for me planes are not the best for sleeping.
Once we arrived in Colorado the cold air reminded me of home around this time. Getting to the hotel is always fun. You never know who you are going to be staying with and finding out is always funny. At school we all live in the same dorm but not the same room, so getting a chance to bond with everyone individually on the road is cool.
Though losing is never fun, watching film the next practice made us realize what we needed to do to become the championship team we are reaching for. I know I talked about our defense last time, but seriously without that nothing none of our goals and expectations can be met.
This weekend you have two chances to see us play at home, and I encourage you to take the opportunity because not only do we love having the support of our fans, but also because we will not have a home game again for almost a month! On Friday, we will be playing Florida A&M at 7 p.m. The next day, guess what? We will be playing again for you at 5p.m. against Florida Atlantic. So come out and support us, because we are very excited about our first home games of the season, and we would love to share it with you!
Until next time,
E Cannon 24
Nov. 12, 2008
Hey UCF fans,
For those of you who do not know me, my name is Emma Cannon, and I am a sophomore on the UCF women's basketball team. This season, I am going to give you an inside look into the UCF women's basketball program. Our team works really hard and has a lot of fun on and off the court, and through my blog I hope you will get to know us a little better.
I am originally from Rochester, N.Y., but I couldn't resist the beautiful weather Orlando has so I came to play my college basketball for the Knights. I was fortunate enough to be able to come to college with my best friend, Marshy White, who is also a member of the basketball team. Marshay and I played together at the School of Arts in Rochester, and keeping her as my teammate and point guard in college is a true blessing.
The beginning of our season kicks off this Sunday with an away game at Colorado University in Boulder, Colo. We are very excited about playing in Colorado. I have never been there before and have heard nothing but great things about it. This is also a great opportunity for us to go out and show everyone how hard we've been working on and off the court.
The main focus for our team and coaches this year has been defense and getting physically stronger. Practice consists of 2-3 hours of nothing but hard work and DEFENSE! As they say in Love and Basketball, "offense sells tickets, but defense wins games." AND this is the truth. We also have a new strength and conditioning coach, Tracy Prosser, who has helped us get to the next level in which we need to be and even beyond.
We just had an exhibition game against a team called DT3. DT3 is a team that consists of former collegiate players, including many who play or have played in the WNBA and/or overseas. It was an honor for me to play among some of the greats. These were players who were in my shoes just a few years ago, and they made it. One of their key players is Nikki Teasley, a 6'0 guard who played for the L.A. Sparks alongside Lisa Leslie, and who now plays for the Atlanta Dream.
I am very excited about our season this year and can't wait until it starts on Sunday. Our first home game is Nov. 21 against Florida A&M at 7 p.m. Then we turn around and play Florida Atlantic the next day. I look forward to seeing you all there cheering for us, and thank you for taking time out to read this. Until next time.
See Ya!
E Cannon 24