Sept. 3, 2008
Wednesday marked the last game in the long 12-day tour for the Northeastern Huskies, and it was also the craziest.
The day started out with a nice tour of Quebec City. Players and coaches enjoyed the beautiful city and all of its sites. They were constantly stopped in the streets and congratulated on the previous night’s win against Laval and questioned about their next move. After a two-hour bus ride, it was time to play against Bishop’s University.
Last night’s crowd at Laval was rivaled by Bishop’s tonight. The Gaiter faithful were out in full force, as this event was the headline of Frosh Week at the school. Fans were painted in purple and white and were on their feet the whole game.
Chaisson Allen hit a three to start the game, and the Huskies would never lose the lead from there. They took a 41-22 lead into the half, despite 15 first-half turnovers. The lead would get all the way up to 26, and the Gaiter crowd was still in full force, cheering and attacking whatever Huskies were on the floor. Manny Adako scored 19 points and ripped down five rebounds,
Chaisson Allen had 16 points and seven rebounds, while Chris Alvarez chipped in 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists of his own as the Huskies went on to a 69-47 win over the Gaiters.
This group of players has shown before that it can rise to the occasion and play better. For those of you who have been following along with these updates, the message is clear. If we all go to the games and support our team, the Huskies will only play better and better. It’s very simple.
After the game, head coach Bill Coen addressed the team for one last time in Canada. He told them how this will shape the season to come for the Huskies, and that it will have them prepared for life on the road and, of course, the CAA Tournament. Coen emphasized that if they worked hard, they will get to where they ultimately want and deserve to go. In one last huddle, the players thanked the coaches for the experience and opportunity of going on this trip.
From Lennoxville, Quebec, the bus ride to Boston was only about four hours, arriving just past 3:00 a.m. Once the bus was unloaded, players traveled together to the airport where most of them had a flight to catch within the next few hours. A little taste of home will do them well because the school year will be starting in a few days.
An experience like this does not come along very often. The gratitude that the players, and myself have for the tremendous opportunity cannot be summed up. A big thank you to the coaching staff and Northeastern Athletics for making this all possible. For a few weeks, it will just be drills and shooting for the players until they can officially practice starting October 15th.
Hopefully the season will be equally or more successful as the trip was, but this certainly is a great starting point for the Northeastern Huskies.
Wednesday marked the last game in the long 12-day tour for the Northeastern Huskies, and it was also the craziest.
The day started out with a nice tour of Quebec City. Players and coaches enjoyed the beautiful city and all of its sites. They were constantly stopped in the streets and congratulated on the previous night’s win against Laval and questioned about their next move. After a two-hour bus ride, it was time to play against Bishop’s University.
Last night’s crowd at Laval was rivaled by Bishop’s tonight. The Gaiter faithful were out in full force, as this event was the headline of Frosh Week at the school. Fans were painted in purple and white and were on their feet the whole game.
Chaisson Allen hit a three to start the game, and the Huskies would never lose the lead from there. They took a 41-22 lead into the half, despite 15 first-half turnovers. The lead would get all the way up to 26, and the Gaiter crowd was still in full force, cheering and attacking whatever Huskies were on the floor. Manny Adako scored 19 points and ripped down five rebounds,
Chaisson Allen had 16 points and seven rebounds, while Chris Alvarez chipped in 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists of his own as the Huskies went on to a 69-47 win over the Gaiters.
This group of players has shown before that it can rise to the occasion and play better. For those of you who have been following along with these updates, the message is clear. If we all go to the games and support our team, the Huskies will only play better and better. It’s very simple.
After the game, head coach Bill Coen addressed the team for one last time in Canada. He told them how this will shape the season to come for the Huskies, and that it will have them prepared for life on the road and, of course, the CAA Tournament. Coen emphasized that if they worked hard, they will get to where they ultimately want and deserve to go. In one last huddle, the players thanked the coaches for the experience and opportunity of going on this trip.
From Lennoxville, Quebec, the bus ride to Boston was only about four hours, arriving just past 3:00 a.m. Once the bus was unloaded, players traveled together to the airport where most of them had a flight to catch within the next few hours. A little taste of home will do them well because the school year will be starting in a few days.
An experience like this does not come along very often. The gratitude that the players, and myself have for the tremendous opportunity cannot be summed up. A big thank you to the coaching staff and Northeastern Athletics for making this all possible. For a few weeks, it will just be drills and shooting for the players until they can officially practice starting October 15th.
Hopefully the season will be equally or more successful as the trip was, but this certainly is a great starting point for the Northeastern Huskies.
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