Higher Post: Sports During Tragedy
...and Hannah is 'Jumpwoman' and welcome back Maddy!
Congregation, please stand up….
…and forgo the hoops for a moment.
We are going to forgo some of the usual banter this week and recognize the fires happening around Southern California currently.
While California wildfires have been a reoccurring event over these past few years, this is a different level of destruction with whole communities being destroyed.
I’m sure everyone reading this knows someone who is affected by this disaster on some level, whether it be friends, family, coworkers, etc. I have many from all those categories.
In searching for a topic to write about this week, I struggled to find something that was relevant. Sure, there are many stories in our crazy world of hoops this week so it's not about not having something to write about. It’s about focus. Does any of this matter when so much is being lost
In times like these, things like sports can seem so trivial.
That said, sports is also a place for community, where we come together. It’s also where folks can lose themselves for a little while during tragedy.
That is what makes the Olympics so great. For a few weeks, the world can put down the weapons, step off the soapboxes and forget our differences for a little while and enjoy the elite competition of the games.
I moved to New York City two weeks before 9/11. I remember the baseball season coming to a complete halt while the country (not just the city) caught its breath at what just happened. But, when baseball did come back, it was not just a feeling of resilience we needed at the time, but also a place for us to bring our love for something that sits down during tragedy. Just the feeling of being about to watch a baseball game was like getting a hug from an old friend to let you know that everything will be ok. We come together in ways that sometimes feels lost in today’s society.
As I looked through the schedules for the upcoming week, I saw cancellation and postponement announcements, not only from teams in LA but also traveling teams, like Northwestern who postponed their scheduled west coast swing for the new expanded B1G. Schools like USC and UCLA have ‘TBD’ on their schedules now because there is uncertainty.
Former Duke star and current LA Laker’s coach J.J. Redick lost his home to these fires. What he said about this was very touching. He touches upon all that his family lost that cannot be replaced, things that only have personal value, not monetary. He identified that he will be fine financially. He is in an easy place to recover, but that most are not and that is important to remember.
In closing, it is important to remember that there are more important things than sports, but that sports can also be reminder that we will be ok and sometimes it can be a temporary escape from the trauma when you just need a break.
But, remember that is temporary and we need to do what we can to help others who have lost everything.
There are many organizations who are doing great work to help others in this time of need. I will list some of those below. So do your part and then sit back and take your mind off it and enjoy some games. Go Defense.
Game Reset
Show me the money! So collectively, they were 27-0. But that all changed this week. It was a bad week to be a Volunteer.
Tennessee MBB: First, The #10 Hungry Hungry Gators of Florida took down the #1 ranked Tennessee Men’s team. Actually, it was a 30-point stomping 73-43. The ‘Gentlemen Vols’ didn’t even score 50, which is one of those CoB metrics of just a bad overall outing for a team #GottaHit50. Florida got out to a 10-0 lead out of the gate with Tenn not even getting their first points until inside the 13min mark of the first half.
Tennessee WBB: We expected their time to come at some point. It’s very hard to run the season table and if the #16 ranked Lady Vols were to do it, no one would have seen that coming. They didn’t even start the season ranked. However, Kim Caldwell’s squad had been sneaking up on teams all season with a ‘TENNacious’ pressing defense that just wore opponents out. It was only a matter of time before someone figured them out - in this case two:
#9 Oklahoma 87 - #16 Tennessee 86: This game was close until halfway through the 3rd when OK went on a run and ballooned their lead to 19, but the Lady Vols fought back to cut that lead to one possession, until Sooner Payton Verhulst hit 2 free throws in the last minute to seal the one point win.
#6 LSU 89 - #16 Tennessee 87: This was one barnburner with both teams staying close most of the way. LSU held a lead until midway through the 4th keeping it within one possession until the end, which LSU’s Kailyn Gilbert made a layup with 1sec to go in the game to give LSU the lead and the victory.
And just like that, Tennessee hoops are a collective 27-3. Bottom line is that both Tennessee teams will be fine. This is life in the new heavy SEC. They will no doubt earn more blemishes as the conference beats each other up. Makes for great basketball.
We Got Next: Games to watch this week! (all times EST)
This is a fantastic Saturday Services with a few teams playing hard to build a resume for March. But the fun is not just today!
Men’s Games: Welcome to conference play!!
Louisville at Pitt (Saturday, Noon, ESPN2) Two strong foes in the ACC fighting for those limited bids.
#3 Iowa State at Texas Tech (Saturday, 1p, ESPN)
#9 UConn at Georgetown (Saturday, 2p. FOX) Coach Ed Cooley has brought fun back to this Hoya program in year 2. Can they beat the defending champion?
UNC at NC State (Saturday, 4p ACC) Always a good in-state rivalry.
#1 Tennessee at Texas (Saturday, 6p, ESPN) The Vols looking to rebound against a Texas team who really needs a quality win.
#5 Alabama at Texas A&M (Saturday, 8p ESPN)
Indiana at Iowa (Saturday, 8p, FOX)
#12 Oklahoma at #5 Alabama (Saturday, 6p, SEC)
#6 Kentucky at #14 Mississippi State (Saturday, 8:30p, SEC)
#14 Mississippi State at #2 Auburn (Tuesday, 7p, SEC) How big will the target be when Auburn is #1?
#10 Texas A&M at #6 Kentucky (Tuesday, 2p, ESPN2)
#23 Ole Mis at #5 Alabama (Tues. 7p, ESPNu)
Georgetown at St. John’s (Tuesday, 7:30p, Peacock) Classic Big East rivalry. Did we mention that G’town is back?
#11 Kansas at #3 Iowa State (Weds, 7p, ESPN2)
#21 West Virginia at #12 Houston (Weds, 8p, ESPN+)
Women’s Games: A whole new B1G!
#5 Texas at #2 South Carolina (Saturday, Noon, ESPN) Nothing like a top-5 match up, especially in conference. The game of the week!
Indiana at #23 Iowa (Sunday, 3p, Peacock) Both teams looking for a top quality win
#13 Georgia Tech at Louisville (Sunday, 4p, ACCNet) GT coming of its first loss of the season and ready for rebound.
#22 Utah at Baylor (Tuesday, 8p. ESPN+)
Washington at #25 Michigan (Weds, 7p, B1G+) Washington is Last Team In in Charlie Creme’s current bracket. This will be a Swords fight.
#13 Georgia Tech at #3 Notre Dame (Thursday, 6p, ACCNet) Clearly the second game of the week!
#2 South Carolina at #18 Alabama (Thurs, 7p, SEC)
#24 California at #14 Duke (Thursday, 8p, ACCNet)
Keeping up with the Hannahs
Two of my favorite players are not only incredibly fun to watch…but are both named Hannah! I dedicate this section to them. We try and keep up with them during a pivotal season!
Hannah Stuelke (Junior / Forward / Iowa):
The Hawkeyes have hit a little rough patch of runway for the start of B1G play, this week dropping two, first to #8 Maryland at Carver-Hawkeye, followed by a tough road loss at Illinois.
#8 Maryland 74 - #23 Iowa 66
We knew taking on a rejuvenated and undefeated Maryland team would be quite a challenge for this young Iowa squad. This was a story of two halves.
The first half was all Maryland as the Terrapins buried a series of 3’s in transition off Iowa turnovers. There were able to shut down Stuelke offensively, cutting off her scoring completely in the first half. Hannah only scored 4 total points, with 2 of those coming from the free throw line.
It felt like it would be one of those games, when Maryland junior guard Bre McDaniel made a basket on a play where the ball slipped out of her hands while attempting a lay up but somehow the ball found its way through the hoop.
The second half did provide some hope as Coach Jan Jensen rotated her bench around but it was Lucy Olsen who hit some needed 3’s and got the Hawkeyes back to within 5 with a minute to go. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.
#23 Iowa 62 - Illinois 57
Next up, the Hawkeyes travel to Champaign to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini. This was a fairly even match up for Iowa. Both teams are mid-table in the B1G. This was a solid Quad 1 opportunity for both teams.
Hannah Stuelke made this her comeback game, turning on the ‘Incredible Stuelk’ toggle and netting a team high 18 points, along with 13 rebounds, while limiting her turnovers to 4 and personal fouls to 2. The game started with senior center Addy O’Grady on the bench and replaced by freshman guard Aaliyah Guyton making her first start of her collegiate career.
This pulled Hannah back more inside where ‘Hannah does Hannah things’ like break defenses for easy 2’s off the glass. Stuekle has been a little more shy on her 3pt shooting, but all her hard work on free throws is paying off as she went 6-8 from the line and up to 70.5% on the season.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as Illinois was able to hang on for the win. This is a sad one to let slip because it is a quad 1 opportunity but life in the B1G won’t get easier with #1 UCLA, #4 USC and #25 Michigan all coming down the stretch.
Up Next (all times EST):
Sunday - Indiana at #23 Iowa (3p, Peacock)
Thursday - Nebraska at #23 Iowa (7p, BTN)
Hannah Hidalgo (Sophomore / Guard / Notre Dame):
Notre Dame 76 - North Carolina 66
[Laughing] I don’t know what ‘that’ was. - Hannah Hidalgo regarding her ‘Jumpman’ scoop layup in the postgame interview
So, let me get this straight. Hannah goes into Carmichael Arena and pulls a ‘Jumpman’?? In Jordan’s old house? That’s daring. And, in her words, she ‘didn’t know what that was’.
But, that is not all she did on route to the road win over the Irish’s ranked conference foe. She led the Irish in scoring with 24 points with 15 coming from 3’s, including one for a 4pt play. This was a huge road win to stay undefeated in conference.
Welcome back Maddy!
The last bit of good news for the Irish is the return of senior forward Maddy Westbeld, who had not seen the court yet this season due to a foot injury. Westbeld bring more experience, more height, and is basically a Swiss Army knife for the squad going into the dog days of the ACC where every night is a test. When she gets back up to speed, this team is going to be scarier(er) good.
Wake Forest 64 - Notre Dame 100
And, the wins just keep on coming for #3 Notre Dame, as the Irish kept their unblemished ACC record after taking down the Demon Deacons (7-8) in South Bend.
The game was played at an unconventional 5p EST to not interfere with the Irish’s semifinal football game also that night. (Which the Irish also won, btw)
Hidalgo, once again, led all players in scoring with 23 points, in only 27 mins of play.
She had a scare early in the 4th, she jumped up behind Demera Hinds to ‘create a steal’ but rolled her ankle lightly on the landing. She hobbled to the bench for work with the trainer, but as the lead was 25, she didn’t need to return.
That play had pure Hannah in ‘nutter’ mode, as the 5’6” Hidalgo was still able to leap up behind the 6’2” Hinds and knock the ball loose while Hinds was extending the ball far above her head. As will opponents learn time and time again, when a player like Hidalgo, who is 2nd in the country in steals, is on the court, you don’t put the ball anywhere near her.
Up Next (all times EST):
Sunday - #3 Notre Dame at Clemson (2p, CW) - This is the Hannah vs. Hannah game I have circled on my calendar, as HH will go head to head with Clemson’s Hannah Kohn who I highlighted just before Christmas. Notre Dame should roll on this Tiger team, but Hannah Kohn is a 3-shooting machine so you should see a scrappy Hidalgo come out in full force.
How to Help Victims and First Responders in LA:
Here is a quick list of resources for folks to help our friends in LA as they deal with the tragic fires.
American Red Cross is taking donations to provide meals, shelter, and recovery services.
The Salvation Army has trained staff to deal with various disaster recovery events
Pasadena Humane Society is accepting pet supplies and donations for treatment of burned and injured animals.
World Central Kitchen is providing meals to first responders and families
Here are some other local resources. Please find one that is meaningful to you. It all helps.
CBS News: How to help victims of California wildfires affecting Los Angeles County
The LA Daily News: How to help Southern California wildfire victims
NY Times: How to Help Victims of the Southern California Wildfires
Final Seconds:
Ok, folks! Remember to please take care of each other in times like this.
And, to do these three things: Like, Share and Subscribe.
Also, feel free to join the conversation - just keep it upbeat!
Always live One Shining Moment at a time. Never be boring.