Lightening Strikes Twice!
St. Peter's entered the MAAC Tournament with a #5 seed. Their first game was against #10 Rider, which was an easy win. Their next game was against #4 seed and host school, Siena. The team played amazinglywell and pulled off the 1 point upset. The next game was the uphill battle. #1 Manhattan, who had earned a double-bye, was going to battle the Peacocks, who had played the previous 2 nights already. When game time came, the peacocks came out swinging, dethroning the #1 team and earning a spot in the MAAC championship game, where the winner gets bid into the NCAA tournament.
Knowing this was to be the game of games, Student Activities arranged for busses to take people up to Albany for the game. I jumped at the chance to go, so at 4 pm, I got out my blue and white paint and went to town on my body to show my support for the team. The Jersey Journal was on hand to take some pictures and interview some fans as we boarded the bus, which was fun. I saw myself in the newspaper this morning!
When we arrived at the Pepsi Arena in Albany, MAAC representatives were on hand to select people for shooting contests throughout the game. Much to my happiness, I was chosen for the same contest I won last year at a home game. Throughout the beginning of the game, I was so nervous. I knew it could be done, but to do it again was next to impossible. I had gotten lucky the first time. The time came for me to go on. I was saying every prayer I knew. I knew what had to be done, so I just went to it. Dribble down, lay-up; It's Good! Dribble back, foul shot; It's good. Dribble back, 3-pointer -- Holy Jesus it went in! The crowd went wild and I could barely breathe. I raised the ball over my head and thanked God for being so good to me. When I got back to my seat, I immediately called Mom, who was in disbelief. Right then and there my decision was made. With the first set of plane tickets I went to California and Florida, alone. With this set, I'm taking Mom somewhere real nice, she deserves it. Once I hung up with her, I had so much adrenaline running through me that I was screaming louder than anyone in the arena. St. Peter's played the best they could, but unfortunately fell short of their NCAA bid which Iona earned with the victory last night. People were disappointed after the game, but I like to see the positives in life. We unseeded the #4 and #1 teams in the course of the tournament, that's quite an accomplishment. I know I was as proud as a peacock of our team last night. To end with my usual Broadway quote, "Because I knew you, I have been changed for good!" That one's for you, Mom.
