Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Surprising postscript

OK, let's get it out of the way - a rough afternoon for the Lady Demons, and an inappropriate way for Tena Matthews, and fellow senior Ashli Barnum, to end their collegiate basketball careers.

They held court in the postgame interview room, waxing philosophical about the season, which had its downs (early) and ups (many lately, none today).

Barnum had an interesting statement when the talented Alexandria Town Talk sportswriter Jeff Matthews asked her about the season.

She said she wouldn't change anything.

She explained that she was extremely proud of her young teammates for how they matured and stuck together through the frustrating early portion of the SLC season. She said that the experience far outvalued the wins and losses, that she was a better person at the end of the season than she was at the outset, and she thought the same was true of everyone with the Lady Demon team.

Oh, there were tears from Tena and Ashli in the postgame locker room, and Barnum grinned through some sniffles as she visited with director of athletics Greg Burke following the interview.

But although the end to the season was less than pleasant, the aftermath of the game was, at least in this instance, rather inspiring.

Both seniors predicted a bright future for the Lady Demons, who will mix the returning letterwinners with a very impressive recruiting class signed in November. There still may be a player or two added to the 2009 newcomers when the spring signing period gets underway next month.

Doug Ireland, SID

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