Titans USA Tour 2023

“Vacation calories don’t count. Right?” Unknown

Today was a day filled solely with basketball ……what’s that about?

Bucks took pity on us all this morning and granted a sleep in and morning of rest. No team meeting til 10.30am, what is this crazy talk? After our morning talk (which was riddled with underhanded conspiracy, refer below) we boarded the bus and made the 30 minute drive to Gladstone for our games against the Gladstone High School Gladiators.

In a first for the tour, we played all four games one after the other which meant we could actually watch, and support all our Titans hit the court. It also gave us a chance to admire all the new basketball shoes that were on display after our recent shopping expeditions. There’s even talk they made them perform better (if nothing else, we looked special).

The trips back and forth to the local store for our fill of chocolate and chips obviously gave us enough energy for the game, as we ended up walking away with four wins from four games.

While the basketball entertainment is good, and our Titans spectators on the side line more than entertaining, the best part of our tour games is after the games have finished when there’s a chance for interaction between the two countries. We enjoyed the hospitality of our hosts who provided us with a great meal and even better conversation before we headed back to the hotel and to our rooms for some much needed rest in preparation for another big day tomorrow. We’re off to the ice hockey tomorrow night, and the anticipation is building....

Gladstone….you don’t say!

• Gladstone is a city located in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States - The population was 12,017 at the 2020 census.
• Gladstone is an approximately 10km2 suburban community, 19km south of Portland and located at the confluence of the Clackamas and Willamette rivers.
• Gladstone has held several important cultural and social events, hosting both the inaugural Clackamas County Fair and the Oregon State Fair, before both were moved to more spacious locations.

Junior Varsity Boys: 53-31

The boys happily welcomed Deacon and Teangi to the team, and started strong with an exciting backcourt buzzer beater from Sam to finish off the quarter. Deacon excited the crowd with another buzzer beater to finish the half. Well fought out third and fourth quarters saw a brilliant finish from Vaughn knocking down a crowd pleasing buzzer beater three pointer to finish off the game. Well done boys.

Junior Varsity Girls: 66-17
As the headline game today the JV girls played with the whole squad watching. The girls got away to a good start scoring well in the first quarter. The opposition didn’t give up but were no match for the Titans. We continued our defensive pressure and good ball use to push out to a comfortable lead at the main break. This was a great opportunity for everyone to play big minutes. In the end we were too strong winning 66-17. Matilda Lamb and Katie Kerr had their break out games.

Varsity Girls: 95-33
The girls opened the game with a strong tip and two point from Ellie. Some sloppy play followed requiring a timeout and quick reminder of the standard of play expected. The team responded with solid team defence and some transition baskets which led to a comfortable half time lead. Trixie found space inside and finished well on multiple occasions having her best game of the tour so far. The home side worked hard and found space for their best shooter to connect on some perimeter shots, but they really struggled with our pressure defence and transition game. A comfortable victory in the end.

Varsity Boys: 57-29
Both teams started the game with pace and physicality, the key way once again appeared to be an 'enter at your own risk' area as the refs allowed another physical game. The boys showed willingness to be challenged and forced two shot clock violations in the first half, made even more challenging as it is a 35 second shot clock! Harry Wright had a great focus and some outstanding finishes in traffic across the game. Some great defensive play from Addi Noble set up a monster dunk from Jackson Bowden in transition and the team put their foot on the gas. Man of the people Jack Berkefeld once again played some important minutes, and Mitch Garwood showed great physicality on the defensive end. A great result by our boys.

The Flag!
This is sacrilege, I’m talking conspiracy. I’m not happy.

There were some exceptional flag nominations today – how could you go past the four boys who ordered the “off the charts, spiciest of spicy” chicken wings that even the staff refused to eat, and then consequently battled for the toilet, to evacuate the spice in whatever method possible. Or what about Teangi who felt a little off even prior to the wing debacle and misjudged the depth of the toilet only to have it splash back on him. Gold, pure flag gold.

But nooooo, we couldn’t have that could we, those little poppets threw me to the wolves led by that Sharon Adams girl (I want a new room mate). I didn’t even get any support from my Team Tan posse (it will be remembered). It’s a rort I say, an absolute rort.

So without any fanfare, I’d like to announce the recipient of the flag is ……..me ☹ Sure there may be three different moments from yesterday that may have come to light, but cut me some slack, we all have moments during our days (Sharon more than most), but not all of us have to do a written account! I’d like to apologise to my children in advance……

Number One
In my quest to give you a supreme blog, I did a lot of reconnaissance before we departed Australian shores, I even investigated trying to add videos which I thought would add that special touch, that certain je ne sais quoi. I tried altering formats, uploading, downloading, holding my breath, crossing  my fingers, the lot but to no avail, so in true Aussie style, I gave up. I decreed it would be photos only for this little blog. Imagine my surprise then, when I received a message from my sister as I was in the midst of my shopping frenzy at Woodburn, questioning why my lounge room and Christmas tree were featured at the bottom of the Day 5 blog. Whaaat! Surely not, in a panic I quickly investigated (I even paused my shopping) and sure enough there, proud as punch, was the Thomson tree in all its glory (sort of resembles the Macy’s Christmas tree I think). In a fun twist of events, not only do I actually have no idea how it happened, I consequently have no idea how to remove it, so it will remain on the blog for all of eternity. I have to admit in the midst of my horror that my lounge room has gone global, I am a little proud of myself for actually uploading the file. Now if I could only remember how I did it….

Number Two
I’ll admit, I love a good handbag, a clutch to be precise. I’ve been searching, scouring even for the perfect clutch, the one that commands the ”oohs and aahs” (without the ooh and aah price tag – see below for reference). When venturing into Kate Spade yesterday, I saw what had the makings of “the clutch”, it was fluffy (different, unusual) but it wasn’t quite right, it was a handbag not a clutch. Not wanting to miss out in case the one that was destined for me was hidden somewhere in the store, I decided to ask the sales attendant. Unfortunately, I probably should have thought through my question, as when I asked quite loudly “excuse me, do you have a fluffy clutch”, the sales attendant just sort of stared at me aghast. I took that as a no and edged out of the store. I don’t think I want a fluffy clutch any more.

Number Three
This one may come as little surprise to some people. I’m renowned for being, shall we say, “money conscious” so this tipping thing is throwing me a little. When purchasing a hot chocolate yesterday, I used cash, and the little cashier gave me my change. In a bid for global solidarity, I went to put my change into the tip bowl, but just as the cash started to slide off my hand, I saw three quarters in there. Now as it was laundry day, these quarters are like gold, so I quickly clenched my hand, and I think I mutter “ooh I need these”. I remember starting to throw in a penny but then thought that looked a bit tight, so just gave an awkward smile, averted her gaze, kept it all and headed out. Thankfully it will be a while before I’m back in that shop……

I’d like to thank all the students who voted for me (and Sharon). Vengeance will be mine, for a starter, as promised to students prior to the voting process, please enjoy a selection of photographs of our sleeping poppets. The gloves are off now……