Seimone returns to share her stories from Maryland, Connecticut, Tennessee, Arizona, Texas and Los Angeles.
I’m back to give you all of the 411 about the college tour! The Tour started off very tough for us. We played 3 of the top 5 teams in the country starting with Maryland, Connecticut and then on the Tennessee.
The Maryland trip was tough even though they were missing one of their top players, Langhorne. They gave us a little run for our money. Harper was tough on the inside and Toliver and Coleman were solid on the perimeter. Really all I can remember from that game is that I got my shot slammed into the stands by an unexpected Coleman. It was a great defensive play by us — I stole the ball and thought I had a clear lane for a layup (plus Kara Lawson was screaming “You’re good Mone. You’re by yourself), so I started to take it easy thinking ok easy 2 points for me. Then, out of nowhere here comes Coleman… mashing my shot out into the first row of bleachers. It was ok because we ended up scoring on the out of bounds play, but boy was that embarrassing. Of course I had to tell Kara about herself and we laughed about it. It was just a very good hustle play made by a very good player.
On to Connecticut. Diana, Sue and Swin’s turf. All we knew was we couldn’t lose because they said they would probably never live it down and would have to hear about that defeat for the rest of their lives. So we knew losing wasn’t an option. It sure wasn’t easy though! The Huskies came out on fire and had us backed into a corner… until we settled down and began to play they way we know we can. Of course, we went to our bread and butter game, getting the ball inside and letting Lisa go to work, but most importantly we played together and got the job done. Connecticut fought hard the entire game and never gave up. They have a complete team with some very talented players.
Tennessee. What more is there to say being from LSU? There is really a big rivalry there so it didn’t take much for me to have to get up for that game. We knew that Tennessee would probably be one of our toughest opponents. They won the national championship last year so how better to start their quest for a repeat than with a win against the national team. They brought back 4 players form the title team and they also have the national player of the year in Candace Parker (our USA teammate in Chile). Once we hit the floor I think every player felt a rush of energy. We were ready and so were they. They never backed down. Even with us holding Candace to 2 points in the first half, other players stepped up. We continued on and got the lead up to double figures late into the second half but then, some way, some how they began to come back. We held them off but just like that, Candace had 20 plus points and helped rally her team back into the game. Each one of the teams in their own way will be difficult for their opponents to handle. I was impressed.
Later that day LSU football played – oh did I mention that they are number 2 in the country? Yeah ok. I didn’t want to leave that out. Anyway, they almost gave me a heart attack while they were playing around with Alabama who was coached by LSU’s former coach Nick Saban. The game was exciting, but stressful we pulled it out though as usual. Is that a championship I smell???? I think so!!!
We had 2 games in Texas one against Baylor and one against Texas A&M. My moms and my grandmother Mimi came to Texas A&M and I was SO glad to see them! I hadn’t seen them since I started traveling with USA bball for our tour in Russia and the college stops. We were suppose to be going out to eat but they ended up getting lost while traveling from Houston to College Station. It was shorter than expected, but we spent our family time together! Having that moment with my family gave me the energy to finish the college tour strong. The travel is hard. Every other day we travel. It can cause you to be extremely tired and really all you feel like doing is sleeping. I don’t’ know how musicians do this… though I suppose its something about not running up and down the court all night. Fortunately, there’s only a little more to go before I can be with my family before having to head overseas again.
After we finished the Texas trip there was the Arizona trip and it was a fun one! After beating ASU, I went out and ate sushi. I have had sushi before but never had it raw. My agent, Lindsay along with Diana and Sue were eager to see me eat raw sushi. It was something near obsession actually. Really and truly though, it wasn’t bad. It was actually good! The only one I didn’t like was the one wrapped in seaweed. No seaweed for me, but I have officially graduated from California Rolls.
The Arizona trip was nice because we had an extra day off in town. Well, mostly day off…in the late morning on our third day we had a Nike photo shoot. Of course I wasn’t prepared and my hair was a mess. I had an afro in the front. Sometimes i can get lazy and don’t want to do my hair… Because I have dreads I can get away with it… but that time my hair needed to be done. I can hear Rebekkah Brunson now… She was my teammate in Russia and she always makes sure her hair is done and she would always fuss at me about not doing mine. I’m still beautiful so whatever!!! I hardly ever wear makeup, but the makeup lady was so sweet and she did a great job. She did it really natural. It wasn’t much work that need to be done because, like I said, I’m beautiful. LOL. I did the shoot and did great. Everything went by smoothly. Then my agent and the hair stylist decides they want to be creative and put my dreads in to pigtails. Can u imgine me walking around with dreaded pigtails oh my god! Maybe next season during a Lynx game I’ll wear my pigtails. SIKE! Maybe to practice.
Now LA — to play USC! The day we got into LA we had a another Nike event to do that we couldn’t miss bc Donna Orender, the president of the WNBA, was going to be playing in the celebrity bball game! the event was great. The place was packed and it was a proud moment for the Nike family! We had a question and answer session (moderated by the great Cheryl Miller) that went well for the most of us… though Kara Braxton seemed to be have a little trouble with her question! They asked her to “tell the kids why eating healthy is good.” she said, “Kids, eat your nutrition it gives you good bones.” Immediately, Sue Bird and I began to laugh. That was the only question Kara got. We laughed at her all night she insisted that her answer would have been better if she had another question. Yeah Right. LOL
Sue and I coached the game and our team boasted Donna and Nancy Liberman. We knew this would be very interesting… the other team had Ruthie Bolton-Holyfield – and really, that’s all they needed. She came out on fire and let us have it, scoring from everywhere. We hung in there with Nancy making some unbelievable passes. Unfortunately, they were also a little bit too good for some of the other players to catch! Donna did well until her lungs started to scream. She was tired but she had a lot of heart! She pushed thru it and finished the game. But I bet there were a lot of aches and pains the next day! We’re proud of you Donna!
The red team fought hard but we couldn’t pull it out bc Ruthie was out there playing like she was back in Sacramento fighting for a title. GOSH! Ruthie this is just a celebrity game! But hey, what can you say… those are the instincts of a competitor! Once we start to compete whether it’s “just for fun” or for the playoffs, we go hard. Ruthie blasted us, shooting 9 for 11 that game. THATS SCARY! I just hope that when I am retired I can still ball like that let alone get up and down the court like she was.
So, we got to give some kids some knowledge and watch, I mean COACH, a very good game. Can’t beat that for a night out, right?.
So far we have won every game on our college tour. They haven’t all been pretty, but some way, some how we always pull it out. whether it’s the shooting of Diana, or the rebounding of Taj, or the inside playing of Lisa or the way Sue controls the court we always pull it out. Now that we have one more game left I can just taste the Japanese food and that shrimp sauce in Minny! Once this is over I head back to Minnesota to go get my Japanese food and take care of some Lynx business before heading to Russia.
Before I go, though, we have to beat Stanford which of course, will be as tough as all the others with miss All-American Candace Wiggins on their squad. This team is going to be very tough at both ends of the court. We saw their game against Rutgers on television the other day – finishing up as we got back from ours, so we know they’re not be taken lightly.
It’s been fun enjoying my time with USA bball, gaining new friends and learning more about my game in the process. But there’s nothing like home! Minnesota then LOUISIANA here I come. The bayou state. I have to eat good before going to Russia.
BE SAFE, HAVE FUN, AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE.
PEACE AND LOVE,
Mone
