Playing another day
Falcons' seniors strive for wins to extend their magical season
By: Colin Wilson
Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: Sports
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Five players on the floor and one on the bench extend their basketball careers by another game with every victory.
"We're just trying to hold onto each other as long as we can," said senior forward Liz Honegger.
The Falcons seemed as though they were headed home early when they fell down 26-12 to Oklahoma State Sunday at the 9:57 mark of the first half. They battled back and took the lead for good at the 1:53 mark. Honegger's three second half 3s keyed the long, patient comeback.
The Falcons' second round game against Vanderbilt showed the same kind of urgency right from the opening tip. They jumped out to a 37-24 lead at halftime, and despite a late push by the Commodores, BG found a way to win. They wanted to keep playing.
"I've never ever experienced anything like this," said forward Amber Flynn, who scored 19 points in Tuesday's game. "I wouldn't trade this for the world."
Their coach is even more excited to coach them for another day. You can't really blame him for enjoying a class that has scored a combined 5,754 points.
"I wish I could bottle them - I wish I could coach them forever," said BG coach Curt Miller. "I'm going to enjoy every single moment I have left with them."
The class has enjoyed great success together. They just finished a Mid-American Conference three-peat in the regular season and the tournament. This year marked their third straight NCAA Tournament berth.
With all the success they've brought, there's no wonder their teammates don't want their careers to end.
"They're awesome. They've made me a better player and a better person and I can't thank them [enough] for that," said BG point guard Kate Achter, who has played three years with the successful class. " I don't want to see them go. Playing with them is a completely different experience and I'm not ready for it to end."
The most impressive thing about BG's team is how close it is. No egos, no individual concerns, just love and teamwork.
"These girls are more than teammates, they're like my sisters," said senior Carin Horne. " To know that we're going to the Sweet 16 together, that's just a great feeling."
Waking up in the morning knowing they'll play another game together is definitely something that makes the seniors' day.
"It's good to know that I still do have something to go to today and that's basketball," Honegger said. "It was awesome, I don't really know what its going to feel like when it's over."
After advancing to the second round in a tournament full of upsets, the Falcons have played good enough so far to control when it's over.
"Hopefully it's not for a while," Honegger said.
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