Road Trip: Mundelein basketball diaries, Day 2
Editor's note: Mundelein's boys and girls basketball teams are spending this week in Arizona, taking advantage of the IHSA's relatively new rule that allows teams to travel anywhere for games. The Mustangs will play two Arizona schools, Boulder Creek and Desert Mountain, that are located in the greater Phoenix area. The teams are planning some off-the-court activities as well. Navjot Singh, a senior forward on the boys team, and Samantha Panitch, a senior point guard on the girls team, will be writing diaries throughout the trip. Here is their second installment.
From Samantha Panitch
The second day has been phenomenal! It was another sunny day in Arizona; you really couldn't ask for more perfect weather.
We had our first practice of the trip. We would have left the hotel at 9 a.m., but Coach Knar and the boys team left without us so we had to wait for them to come back so we could follow them.
When we finally arrived at Boulder Creek High School, we were met by MHS alum Shawn Harlan. He graciously brought us fruit and Gatorade and we were lucky enough to have his talented sixth-grade daughter, Morgan, practice with us.
Practice was tough as usual. Coach Evans worked us hard and did not let us slack off at practice just because we are in Arizona.
On the way back from practice, Coach Harding got us lost. Everyone was really worried in the van because we didn't think that we were gonna have enough time to shower and get ready for the Insight Bowl that we were attending later that night.
I think most of the girls would agree, everyone got ready as fast as they ever have. It also helped that our mom chaperones bought us Subway so we didn't have to stop anywhere for lunch.
We went to the Insight Bowl at Arizona State's stadium, where we watched Oklahoma State play Indiana. Oklahoma State dominated from the start and we ended up leaving the game early to go to a block party at Tempe Town Lake to celebrate New Year's Eve.
Everyone had a great time bringing in the new year. We hung out and listened to different bands like the Barenaked Ladies perform. We all were exhausted from our busy day and fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow.
Tomorrow is looking to be another eventful day. We are planning on going to the Grand Canyon, but if the weather isn't good we are planning on having a relaxing day spent by the pool!
From Navjot Singh
Hey everybody. Day 2 has been a wonderful experience. After receving a wonderful breakfast with exceptional waffles, we showered up and headed for Boulder Creek High School for practice.
We met up with Shawn Harlan, a friend of coach Knar and Knigge and an MHS graduate, who provided us with drinks and fruit.
After our grueling practice, we rushed out, ate lunch and went back to the hotel and showered quickly so we could make it to the Insight Bowl.
Mr. Evans (71) and Mr. Ackley (77) took a long time to get to our seats, which were at the top of the stadium. It was a feat which was greated with a standing ovation.
OSU came out ready to play and put the Hoosiers out early in the football game. The team had fun mingling with fans and people while eating nachos and brats (which were sub par). A great half time show was put on by OSU's marching band with the flags and formations.
For the rest of the night, we hung out outside of the football arena and attended the concerts that were going on. After getting a long night of having fun, we were all tired and ready for bed.
We are excited for tomorrow, which is supposed to be our "chill" day. A.k.a pool day.