Two Sydneys
March 4th, 2010 | Published in Basketball, Featured Stories, Sports
A lot still at stake for two Sydneys and rest of Aggie Women’s Basketball team
By Chelsea Reber
photos by Glen Johnson/Texas A&M Athletics
In the last few years, Gary Blair has created a promising tradition of winning women’s basketball teams. With four straight appearances in the NCAA tournament, Blair and his girls are looking for another shot at the big show.
The rest of the Big 12 conference teams are not making it an easy road. Five out of the Aggies’ six losses in conference have been a difference of less than 10 points, and three of those have been a difference of less than five points.
“We’ve had some really close games where we have been challenged and tested and we haven’t necessarily come out on the winning side,” Sydney Colson, the junior sociology major said. “I think these are good games to be in because it shows that we still have that fight in us when we are down; even if we do get a loss, at least we get it with some dignity.”
The Aggies are tired of being “so close” and hanging onto the saying, “there is always the next time.” Sooner than later, that next time will turn into the Big 12 Tournament and then the NCAA Tournament where there is not another next time.
Even though the Aggies have slipped a little during season, Colson believes they are still reasonable contenders for a Big 12 Tournament Championship and a very high finish in the NCAA Tournament.
“There were some people at the beginning of the season who predicted us to be in the final four and I think that is still possible. I think we can do it if we go out in our last few games and play hard and get some momentum,” Colson said.
One big slip came on Big Monday against Baylor, when the Aggies lost an upsetting 65-63 game at home. Brittney Griner, the 6’8’’ freshman for the Bears, proved to be all she is hyped up to be, unstoppable. But Colson and the Aggies new she would play great defense and rack up some points; it was the other players they didn’t handle well.
“When you are going up against someone like Griner, you expect her to get points. Our job in games like that is to contain the other players and when we played at Baylor and here at home, we let that get away from us,” Colson said.
“We just want to beat them so bad, and it is almost like we were playing not to lose instead of playing to win,” Sydney Carter, sophomore guard from DeSoto, said.
The Aggies know they have to move past their losses and really focus on the remaining conference games. A lot is still at stake and in their minds; it is never too late to turn things around.
“We need to have more intensity throughout the whole game, we need to lose the negative attitudes, and we just really need to get on the same page,” Colson said.
Even though only a sophomore, Carter has strived all season to take on that leadership role and help her teammates to buy into her “never surrender” mentality.
“It gets frustrating when you lose games that you shouldn’t and it gets hard to stay motivated and positive,” Carter said. “It is just my personality to not give up, and I think if we can get everybody on that same page, we can really go far.”
One thing that the Aggies have not necessarily had much control on this season is injuries. Colson, a team captain for the past two years, has only been about 60 percent during the last few games with an injured leg. She has been getting treatment everyday and is even wearing a support boot when she is not practicing or playing.
Carter has also suffered some more minor injuries this year, but realizes there is a difference between injury and pain.
“I came in the day after a hip pointer and played against Oklahoma, and two days after a sprained ankle and played in the Tech game. It is just a matter of pain tolerance and whether it is actually pain or injury,” Carter said.
“Sydney’s is an injury and she just has to take it day by day; I applaud her for the effort she has given. She gave me 12 great minutes against Texas and that is just someone who wants the best for their team and willing to give themselves up no matter what it takes,” said Carter about Colson.
“I’d rather not be out there and let someone do a better job who is 100 percent healthy,” said Colson.
Even with all the obstacles the Aggies have fought against this season, they are definitely not ready to throw the towel in yet. Their hopes are still high for an epic finish in the 2009-2010 season.
“It is almost over, but I’m not going to let it be over sooner than it should be,” Carter said.
