It’s a pleasant Bonus to have a reason to spend another night 🌙 in Ashville. It’s time to finish up here and then head to Beckley for the Baseball ⚾️.
In the morning 🌄 game we have the Best player in the league squaring off with the player who was the Brightest Star 🌟 of the opening day. Great deal on the line as the winner 🏆 returns to play for the Championship game on Sunday !
It’s 5 on 5 for a shot at the Big Dance 💃 come Sunday !!!
If you want to follow along, check ✔ out the running blog…
Lin captured this one yesterday and I loved the fact it included the Ball, Mascot, Cheerleader and a very determined Kiddo from The Hill shooting a Free Throw.
Ashville and Duluth – what’s at stake for the 12 teams playing the six games ?
Duke and UNC are chasing a spot in the Top 16 in the seeding for the Big Dance 💃!! The Top 16 teams on the Ladies side play the first two games in their own Gymnasium and this is Huge. Both the Heels and the Devils rode this luxury deep into the tournament last year.
Louisville is safely in the 16, baring an ugly loss today.
Brad out at Olde Mill will be rooting hard for his Wolfpack today but knows they probably need to win 2 more to open in Raleigh.
The underdogs in Duluth each did exactly what they needed to do yesterday to punch 👊 their ticket 🎟. Anything now is icing so look for each of them to play loose.
It’s a different animal here in Ashville where the Semi-final games begin in just a few hours. Each of the four teams set to play just want to make it to Sunday. The two winners get Saturday off while the Men play their quarterfinals.
East Tennessee State University versus Samford University instead of Wofford College is the lone surprise in the six games. The Bucs and the Bulldogs play Game 2 today and each of the four know that the SOCON will be a one bid league this season in the NCAA. UT – Chattanooga might have received consideration before stumbling late in the regular season.
Yes, you get the interview after you drop 27 points, grab 6 rebounds and a bushel full of steals without ever leaving the floor until 1:15 remained in the win.
Yesterday, Lin and I watched basketball in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center for close to nine hours in hopes of seeing Alyssa and the rest of the league play. We were hoping that she would enjoy the opportunity to play a role in a post season tournament game.
What we didn’t know was that she would score her collegiate career high of 27 points and play a level of defense like a hungry dog 🐕 chasing its dinner. On a night where Clare Coyle picked up two early fouls, Pierre Curtis needed a Go-To and his Sophomore said I got you Coach.
Today they face the only team that swept them in the regular season in the Mocs. They are led by the Player of the year and she put on a show yesterday afternoon by scoring 14 of her teams first 16.
6’1 lanky player that can hit from 3 is a scary thing for opponents!
We have our tickets 🎟 for Day 2 and will head back over to the Arena shortly !
Check back as often as you like today !
#FamilyProud to be a Homer !!!
Morning 🌄 steps 🚶♂️, now Hoops !!!
Carroll County in the House 🏠. We see you Bill & Mrs Gallimore!Go ‘ Dins & Go Lady Blue Devils 😈💙!!!The students are Back !Fellow Homer’s !!!!
The DJ is playing to the Kids and they are enjoying the tunes !
Waiting to storm the court for introductions !Waiting for the Mocs !11:03
Slow start for the Paladins has led Coach Pierre Curtis to call a TO at 6:47. Mocs leading 8-0 and Furman has lost a starter to injury.
Injured while trying hard to take a charge in the third minute.
Duke leads 12-8 @ the under 5 !
Pearl brakes the ice 🧊 with a 3 and Coyle scores on the break. Just like that its 8-5
McGowens is back in !!!!!!
Both teams here playing intense defense and both teams in Duluth are playing intense offense.
Stuart shooting FT’s at 0:01.3 – YY
Mocs 14 – 9 after 1st. Furman recovering from early 🕳 hole. Might have been showing the effects of finishing up at 8pm last night 🌙.
Duke leads 22 -14, early 2nd.
Big Key 🔑 to UT-C defense is their ability to double team in a blink of an eye.
8:28 (2) – Ervin for 3, down 16-12
Mocs very aggressive on the offensive glass. Parnell (Galax High ) ties it up at 16!!!
TO at 4:46 (2) – this time its Coyle on the floor, hoping for the best. Mocs scored five quick ones, lead 21 – 16
Duke 30, Clemson 17 (5:21 -2)
McGowens for 3!
Corbiitt hits consecutive 3’s and leads the Mocs with 14.
At the half, 33-23 UT-C.
Coyle was at the scorers table waiting to check back in so that is a HUGE bonus for the second half here!
Duke leads 34 -19 with just over 1:00 left in the first half.
Furman University played Game 4 yesterday while UT-C played at 11am. Fresher legs ➕ two first half injuries have dug a hole 🕳 but Coach Pierre has a way in the lockeroom at Halftime so don’t go away just yet.
Halftime score in GeorgiaWe’ve got next x 2 !!
Once the final horn 🎷 sounds here, its a dash to the Car 🚗 for the drive to Linda K Epling Stadium 🏟 in Beckley, West Virginia but the coverage will continue throughout the day.
Set to resume at 12:03 pm
Corbitt is up to 22 and the lead is 13.
7:14 (3) Ervin for 3 from the top of the key 🔑
Media TO in Ashville – 4:45 (3) – Mocs 46 – 32
Duke is pitching a 3rd quarter shutout down in the AT, leading 44 – 19 with 6:00 left in the 3rd
Travis found the official feed from Furman University about last night 🌙
McGowens is doing everything she can to keep the ‘Dins in it. Down 49 – 35
Ervin from deep at 3:15, McGowens has 12.
1:09 & 0:36, Kiddo for 3 !! Still fighting 💪 but still down 14.
Parnell is the 3rd Paladin player to be injured and is headed to the lockeroom in hopes of stopping the bleeding. The officials are reviewing the play at 0:04.4
End of 3rd in ATL has Dukeleading by 18, 46-28.
Call 📞 here, foul on us.
62 – 46 after the third quarter. Big Hill to climb but doable! Ervin 15, McGowens 12, Coyle 8, Pearl 5.
Furman is still playing Full Throttle here in the 4th quarter ! Coyle is now in double figures with 11.
Furman TO at 7 :18, down 73 – 53 after consecutive 3’s.
Furman 8-0 run 🏃♂️ after Pearl hits a 3!!
Clemson within 14 at 3:30 left
Furman 10-0 after Stuart drives hard!
Coyle beats the defense in a foot race 🏁 and UT-C needs a TO as the lead is down to just eight ( 73 – 65 ). WOW 👏
We forced a shot clock ⏰ violation but turned it over. TO at 3:14, down 73 – 65.
Under 2:00, same score..Furman just 1 foul this quarter.
Mocs finally score a basket 🧺.
Final in ATL
0:31.9 – down 10, 75 -65
0:29.0 – down 11
1pmNext Stop ✋, Beckley
Plenty of Hoops coverage still to come.
Welcome 🙏 to Tennessee
Hidalgo and Notre Dame making life difficult for NC State, leading 34 – 22 late in the first half
Back in Ashville
Wolfpack are slowly climbing back into things while Samford University continues to chase the dream.
Irish open the 3rd quarter on an unbelievable 16-1 run 🏃♂️ that should seal the deal and earn them a date with Duke tomorrow.
Four Updates at 3pm :
Samford running away from ETSU 47 – 33 at the end of 3rd.
Notre Dame 62 – 41 after 3rd
➕ Welcome to Virginia and Golden Bears 🐻 lead 4-3 in the opening game !
Kentucky Christian ✝️ just hit a Grand Slam with one out in the top of the 8th, now lead 7 – 4.
Lady Paladins shot 50% from 3 and 100% from the line.3rd final out of 6..That is a wrap from Ashville as Samford ends the season of one of the tri – champions for the second straight day. Sunday they will go for the Hay Trick versus UT-C.
The ACC is on a break right now but still has 2 more games tonight.
3:39 – Golden Bears 🐻 are heading to the bottom of the Ninth, down 7-4.
Walk 🚶♂️ Off Win !!!!!!
KCU issued a international walk with first base open and Lawrence Nesselrodt waved all three runners 🏃♂️ home !!!!
Short break until we have more action 🎬.
Remember that time when you had been in the car for 7 straight days and when you were within 45 minutes of home and went to West Virginia instead ?????
We aren’t laughing at you, we’re laughing with you… saside nobody
Game 2 is underway…..
Top 3rd, 1-1 here in Beckley as Hoops are set to resume in Atlanta…
The team greeted us with a 3-run 💣💣💣 and we lead 4-2, top 4th….
#2 Cards are not playing around with the ‘ CuseSyracuse has steadied the ship 🚢, down 12 attention break.
Here, its 4-4, Top 5th
Game six of six should play well back on The Hill as the area is full of Hokies and Heels fans !
Knights have loaded the bases here in the Top of the 5th. Cole Brown inherits the jam out of the bullpen.
Knights plate two, lead 6-4 as we head to the bottom of the 5th in the 7 inning game.
Louisville gets a quick start, 6-0 and now leads by 18.
Media TO (3rd)- Cards 57 – 40. We are still looking for a meaningful 4th quarter in Georgia.
Louisville up by 20, 67 – 47 with 8+ to play.
Another Golden Bear 🐻 crosses home plate in the bottom of the sixth, now trailing 7-5 with two outs.
Cards by 23 with 3+ left and the #2 seed will await the winner of VT – UNC.
Last at bat here for our Golden Bears 🐻, need two to tie 👔, three to win and sweep the day.
Louisville never flinched and the Cuse never had a chance. #1,2 and 5 have advanced with one more to make it a quartet. Hokies – Heels in 30.
Night 🌙 has fallen here in Beckley and we are down to our last strike.
Copeland with a riffle shot to left for a RBI double, now 7-6.
Tying run 🏃♂️ stranded on third base as the clock ⏰ hit 7pm. Knights 7, Golden Bears 6.
Still to come – one more Womens College game from Georgia.
Hokies with a strong 💪 start !
40 – 27 Heels 👠 at the break !!
Zero late game drama today in Atlanta a 1,2,3 and 5 roll to victory !
It’s only 4:30 am so I am hoping that both Coach Mayo and Travis Osborne are still sleeping but their segments will be added shortly.
Travis Osborne and his Bible Verse of the Day and Howard Mayo with his Motovational Nugget for the Day :
1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.
___________________________________
We have four more games taking place in Duluth and two more here in Ashville ➕ the Friday / Saturday flip has been made for the Golden Bears 🐻 Baseball games with the double header now today and the single game on Saturday
Both Alyssa Ervin and Furman University & Kira Lawson and Duke University Women’s teams are set to Tip at 11:00 am so the day will start out hot 🔥.
Next up will be the MACC recap and then its Hoops and Baseball ⚾️.
Starbucks across the road served us on real plates 🍽!!
Brother Osborne :
Good morning! It’s another Big Day in the world of Women’s Basketball!! I just wanted to send you my two cents, which is now worth five cents!!…
Game#1- Clemson vs. VA. I like the ninth seeded Va. in this match-up. Clemson’s defense is strong, but I think Virginia’s High Scoring Offense will be enough to overcome. Should be a Great Game!!!
Game#2- Miami vs. Notre Dame. I’m going with the High Scoring Offense of the “Fighting Irish” to send Miami further South 🤔
Game#3- Syracuse vs. California. I’m going out on a limb here with California for the Win! Their last match-up was a nail bitter that went to 3 O.T. California will be looking for revenge. Should be another Great ACC match-up!!!
Game#4- Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech. I’m going to go with the Hometown team for the Win! VT’s Offense has been 🔥 this Season and I expect that 🔥 to carry them to the next round!!
I saved The Best for last!!! The SoCon match-up of Furman vs. Mercer. I’m looking for a close game in this match-up, but I’m going to go with Furman and our Very Own Alyssa Ervin. I’m looking for Ervin to have a BIG DAY leading the Paladin Offense across the finish line!!!🔥🔥
There’s my five cents 💲 with that and $5 you can get yourself a cup of coffee!!☕️
Best of luck to all, let’s Play Ball!!!
Travis, Thank You 🙏 and Linda is enjoying the cup of coffee ☕ you mentioned !
Alyssa Ervin and Furman University will not play until 5:45 but things get underway here and Duluth, Georgia at the top of the hour !
We will be at this ALL DAY and we will break away when Trenton’s Mom has updates from the MACC tournament because we 💘 🧠!!!
Pre – Game Photos 📷
The SoCon tournament is officially underway at 11:03 !
In with the capture !
We are about 8 feet from the court and less than that from the Mocs Band & Cheerleaders.
The folks here have borrowed a page from the ACC by 🚌ing in Elementary school and Middle School children for Day 1. Lots of noise, some that makes sense and some that doesn’t.
Media TO #1 of many (4:19)
Mocs leading 16 – 7 with one player having 14 of the 16.
Clemson leads Virginia, 10-8
11:15 – The Lady 👩 Paladins are in the house 🏠 for the first time today. Not sure for how long but they are taking in some of the opening game.
End of 1st – Mocs 19-11
Clemson 15, Virginia 14 after 1st
2nd quarter Media TO – Mocs 21 -15
Clemson 26 -24 , as close as expected !
At the Half : Mocs 30-19, Clemson 28-26
Western Carolina putting on a show !
End of 3rd quarter – Mocs 55-33, Clemson 43 -39 [12:24]
Last Media TO of Game 1’s : Mocs 60-37, Clemson 55-45.
12:46 – Final score 1 of 8 : Mocs 66-47
Final 2 of 8, Hoos will have to hold their breath on selection Sunday
One of the two or three biggest differences between the two events is that down in Georgia they will play two games, empty the building and then play two games. Here in Ashville, they will simply play four straight games.
That explains why if both started at 11am, the final start times are 5:45 here and 7:30 down there.
The next difference between the two worth mentioning is here both the 8 Women’s teams and 10 Men’s teams play in the same building during the same window. The ACC Men will play in Charlotte, North Carolina next week.
Virginia Military Institute and The Citadel are the two schools 🏫 when just a Mens team.
1:21 – Game Time here…..
Lin brought her Game today !
First Media TO (4:55) and UNC – G is pitching a shutout, 10-0. ETSU finished up as the hottest 🔥 team in the SoCon but has struggled early on.
Reasons why we care about UNC-G : we were married there, had a daughter who was born there and Lin earned her 2 year degree from GTCC while we were there.
Reason why we care about ETSU : The Leonard family 👪 has a Son attending School there!
The last of the School Children 🏫 have left the building and its worth noting that they did so in an incredibly planned out manner!!!
Once the Bucs scored at 3:54, they followed it with four 3-pointers. Tied at 14 at the end of 1st.
Miami 11, Notre Dame 6 early 1st
Irish 23, Canes 19 – end of 1st
32-26 Bucs at the break (2pm)
Irish 37- 23 at the break. It will be interesting to see if any of the three teams that won yesterday can steal one today ????
Media TO at 4:56, ETSU leads 36 – 28.
End of 3rd, ETSU leads 49 – 38. After falling behind 12 -0, the Bucs have taken care of business !
More SoCon Hall of Fame banners
Media TO at 4:58, Spartans have cut ✂️ it to just 8 at 53 – 45…..
Spartans drill a 3, now trail by 5
Fighting Irish lead 58 – 40 at the end of the 3rd quarter in Duluth
3:07 pm – Final 3 of 8
ETSU shot 50% from Deep !
27:00 on the clock ⏰
More Hall of Fame ➕ showing 💘 to both Military Schools 🏫 in the SoCon !!!Halfway through the Day with four Final scores and four left to play.
Next one here is a battle of the Dogs 🐕 as the Terriers face the Bulldogs…
Tip in a few….
WoffordCollege versus Samford University…
3:40 and Lin is 3 for 3This place s crawling with Critters
Dinner 🍽 break in Georgia as they clear out the building. California and Syracuse at 5pm.
Wofford 11-7 at Media TO (3:24)
Our next Stop ✋ is Beckley, West Virginia as we are preparing to host a 3 – game set with Kentucky Christian ✝️ University.
The weather forecast has already changed the layout as we have went from 1 on Friday and 2 on Saturday to 2 on Friday afternoon and 1 on Saturday morning 🌄.
When we leave here will be determined by the Lady Paladins…
4:01 – end 1st, Wofford 16, Samford 11
There are 25 visible Hall of Fame banners, trying hard to figure out if I got them all…
Media TO in 2nd – 4:37
Wofford leading 20 – 15
Samford on fire 🔥, leading 25-21 10-1run), Wofford TO at 2+
4:22 pm – Halftime score 28 -23 with the underdogs ahead of the Big Dogs 🐕
Furman University is back in the house 🏠.after a Hotel lobby send off….
Samford University up 39-25, 24-5 run 🏃♂️
Wofford called a TO at 4:25 as they now trail 47 – 29 (32-9 run 🏃♂️)
Media TO at 3:17(3rd), Samford by 15, 47-32. Evening session about to Tip in Georgia…
Samford currently shooting 61% from 3!!
Samford 0 of 4 at the line, allowing Wofford to pull within 51- 43 at the end of the 3rd
14 – 4 rally by Wofford to ✂️ 18 to 8. Should be a great 4th quarter
Syracuse 23, California 7 after 1st…
While trying to shorten the game here in the 4th, Samford had the shot clock ⏰ expire twice.
59 – 53 at 3:30S
Samford calls TO at 2:54 as their 18 point lead is now down to just four at 59 – 55
2:01 – Third time in 4th that the Bulldogs failed to beat the shot clock ⏰ and then are called for a charge at 1:23
FINAL Minute :
0:48 – Wofford ball down 2
0:39 – offensive foul, ball to Samford
Samford runs down the clock ⏰ and fires an airball but……Wofford does the same on a attempt to win it with a 3….
0:00.8 put back on the clock ⏰, possession Samford University.
Timeout called..
Wofford fouled but it was only their third
5:35 – first upset of the day in either venue as Samford University holds on in a thrilling contest.
27 :00 on the Clock ⏰
Getting steps 🚶♂️ at the halves and between games protected the 10K streak.At the Half in HotlantaPre – game acknowledgment for All SoCon 2nd Team !
Clare Coyle was named to the 1st Team !!
6:10 PM – Play ▶️ Ball !!!!!
Media TO at 4:22 – Furman University leads 9-7 Kiddo has 4 points (2-4 shooting) ➕ 1 rebound & 1 Assist to Coyle.
Travis Osborne is smiling because Cal has pulled within 10 of Syracuse late in the 3rd quarter…
Miss Parnell and Alyssa on the floor together = 40% of the Paladins Five are from Galax, Virginia !
6:32 – end of 1st, trailing 12 – 11. Cal within six at 50-44 early in the 4th
6:11 & 5:20 – Kiddo with back 2 back Rainbow 🌈 3’s !!!!
Media TO at 4:52, we trail 20-19. Ervin leads the way with 10
4:36 – Ervin fouled while shooting a 3 – N, Y, Y
3:50 – defensive rebound and end to end layup ( now 14)
6:57 – Halftime 👔d at 29-29
Cuse by 9 over Cal in the final minute.
Coyle picked up 2 early fouls which removed her for most of the first half. The opening few minutes of the 3rd will be HUGE
Final #6 of 8 is in :
Credit the GoldenBears 🐻 for getting close after a rough first half.
7: 12 – ready for the 3rd quarter here and its Win or Go Home for the’Dins…..
We are four minutes in and no points for Furman so far in the third. Ervin is playing jacked up defensive with 2 straight steals and 1 by deflection but Mercer leads 32 -29
Kiddo sparks an 8-0 run 🏃♂️ with a corner 3, Stuart added one from up top and then Coyle dropped her second basket 🧺 of the game to force a Mercer TO
3:13 – Ervin fouled on a 3 – Y,Y,Y!!! Up 40-37
2:23 – Ervin fouled on scoop shot – Y & Y!! Now with 22, leading 42 – 37.
We have reached the end of the 3rd, we are up six at 45 – 39. Kiddo with 22, 6 rebounds and enough steals to be a professional Shoplifter….
10:00 more minutes……
7-0 spurt when Stuart launched a 3 that went in, out and back in. Assist to Kiddo and Mom 👩 made the big board during the celebration as Mercer called a TO down 13 (7:54-4)….
4:55 was on the Clock ⏰ when Kiddo hit yet another Rainbow 🌈 3 that barely moved the bottom of the net. Mercer TO at 4:50, down 57 -40 now.
We were tied at 37 – 37 so quick Math = 20-3 run 🏃♂️
2:19 – Step back baseline jumper that she knew was in when it left her hand ✋.
TO – 1:50 (4), Ervin sits down for the very first time! Pearl adds a 3, 64 – 40!!!!
8:03 -Final Score –
In a word – Kiddo put on a clinic, except for that part when she took the 40th minute off……
Time to turn the Wheel over to Mr Osborne while Lin and I transition back to our Hotel 🏨. Travis will keep us in the know about the Battle between the Techs !
15-0 run by the Hokies gives them the 29-23 lead at the half!
The Yellow Jackets buzz back in the 3rd quarter to cut the deficit to 4. Hokies take the 50-46 lead going into the final 10:00
Thank You Sir !!
Georgia Tech picked a bad time to go 5+ minutes without scoring a point. Yellow Jackets are still in it but they are running out of time (2:53, down 7)
9:24 pm, 10 hours and 24 minutes from opening tip, its all over in Duluth.
What a Day !!!
8 games in two venues today becomes six games in two venues tomorrow – once again beginning at 11:00 am in both Ashville and Duluth !
Travis signs off with this :
The Hokies holding strong on both sides of the ball in the final quarter to take the Win 62-54 to advance to the Quarterfinals tomorrow where they will face UNC. That’s a Wrap!!! A Great Day of Basketball!!!🏀🏀
Amen 🙏! Brother, Great Day of Women’s Basketball 🏀👏
A.S.P.N on The Hill 