Corry's Corner - May 2022
May 13, 2022 | Women's Basketball
Spring is a year's second season, a passage from the harsh winter to the blazing summer. There is enough sun for gardeners to scatter flower seeds between the rain storms and gloomy skies. It's a transitional phase with purposeful change and transformational growth.
For our student-athletes, spring is also the ending of a school year. As the weather changes, they walk around campus between classes and their workouts at Mize Pavilion. This spring has been different than previous ones. The players were anxiously awaiting their new head coach to be hired. On March 12, the girls were introduced to Head Coach Sam Purcell. He immediately hit the ground running, getting to know the program. However, Coach Purcell was an assistant with the Louisville Cardinals. His team would advance to the NCAA Women's Final Four. Instead of just staying with his current team at the time, he would fly back and forth to Starkville, providing opportunities to meet with the current players. His month would be filled planting seeds for a program he knows will flourish.
Most basketball players spend the spring anticipating their break and a trip home. Having players from Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Pennslyvania and Germany, it would only be natural to do the same. Yet they did not. They were focused on individual workouts and completing their classes.
On April 11, I arrived in StarkVegas. A new city, a new school, and a new staff. That afternoon would be our first time all together, and immediately I knew I was with family. I felt at home. The next day would be our first team workout with the entire coaching staff. It was a refreshing workout. We implemented new full-court drills, which the players quickly learned and encouraged each other through them all. It was energizing to be all together finally.
In our first practice, Coach Purcell challenged the team. It was their responsibility to become our program's gardeners. They would have the remainder of the spring to plant our seeds, so we will see a difference in our program when we return in June. When people plant, they never know what the result will be. They hope if they get enough rain and sun, something beautiful will grow.
Twelve hours of practice was not always perfect. There were a few moments of challenge but more moments of encouragement and promise. Jessika yelled "get it Mama" to Charlie every time she made a three. Alasia asked to repeat a drill to receive a higher score. Ace and Mia challenged each other in all the shooting drills. Jerk finished just in time to secure her team's win during Competition Day. Annie improved her verbal leadership skills, and Denae worked hard at their rehab. These moments and many others made us better this spring.
As the practices came to an end, the players spent the last week finishing their semester, studying for and completing their final exams. Then they will have the rest of May to spend time at home with their families. A much-needed break for our players allows our coaches to make the permanent transition to Starkville. We are anticipating our return to campus on May 31, when our newest family members will join us. I know for sure that the future of Mississippi State Women's Basketball is bright because of the seeds this current team has planted.
Until next time, Hail State!
Corry Irvin
