Anthony Brooks' NCAA Experience - Friday

Well once again, we had such a busy day in preparation for the game. Unfortunately we were forced, once again, to wake up at 9am for breakfast (something I haven't really eaten since I was 10 years old). The hotel provided a good breakfast so I won't do too much complaining about that. After breakfast, we had some time to spare before going to walk through so I'm sure most of the players took a nap since we all don't like being awake before noon.

The walkthrough went smoothly as always. Coach Robinson and the assistant coaches vividly prepared us for Richard Stockton College, providing detailed descriptions of their plays and personal habits. Like Clay described, we ended walkthrough throwing alley-oops and shooting up half courts shots as buzzer beaters; seems like that's becoming an unofficial tradition at the end of practices.

After the walkthrough, the team FINALLY got something free from the NCAA for making it to the Final Four. Even though it wasn't the anticipated t-shirts that we expected, we graciously accepted the gifts (by the way, it was an official NCAA hat). After returning to the hotel, we ate lunch which the hotel provided. Everything tasted really well, except for the unsweetened tea. Everybody was pouring pounds of sugar in the drink in order to get the desired taste. I'm sure the team has type 1 diabetes due to that tea.

Game time! iPods' blasting! Everybody in their zone! Excitement vigorously floating through the locker room before warm-ups! The team proclaimed hype-man, Josh Harris, began to get the emotions flowing through our bodies with our pre-game chants. Jumping up and down, shouting and representing F&M the way we have all season. The tip-off marked the beginning of a battle!

Richard Stockton College came ready to play and so did we. A 40 minute war kept both teams and the crowd on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer went off. 62-58, unfortunately we were on the losing end. Tears built up, sadness overwhelmed each of our players but we knew we could be happy about a season that was marked, by critics and outsiders, as a rebuilding year for F&M basketball. We knew we had great fan support all year and great coaches leading us in the right direction so we couldn't be too upset even though we want the NCAA trophy.

But you know what?? We shall be back in due time. With the reigning Mid-Atlantic Rookie of the Year Georgio Milligan, the First Team All-Conference forward James McNally, and a returning crew backed with Final Four experience, I wouldn't count out F&M just yet. Best believe, this year was NOT a fluke or the "luck of the draw". We fought extremely hard this season and I'm extremely proud to have made this trip with this talented family we call our team. I love these guys, like brothers.

That's my little section. I'll let my main man Danny Selig take the center stage and rap to the people.

I'm out!!

Anthony Brooks aka *AB3* aka  Scrappy Baby