SIMON SAYS: Issue #1: "Still Looking for the First Victory"

Hey everyone. Today we're unveiling a new addition to our site. A few days ago we caught up with former NC State forward, Simon Harris, and he told us how much fun he's having playing ball over in Ireland. Basketball is really just starting to catch on over there and Simon and his team are holding clinics, camps and showing the country just how fun the game can be. We thought this sounded like a great story and offered Simon the chance to keep the Wolfpack Nation updated on a weekly basis about his team and his life overseas being, not only a player, but an ambassador of the game. He loved the idea and agreed, so without further ado, here's Simon!

Dear Wolfpack Fans,

Week two started off great. We had a bunch of really good practices, guys are starting to mesh together a lot more, and the confidence is beginning to rise. We went on the road for the first time to play a team down in Cork, the UCC Demons, who were the defending champions of the league we just moved into.

We started off really slow, I mean really really slow. Actually, at the beginning of the first quarter, but literally about midway through we all just started to pick it up and play much much better. Guys were hustling, pressing, diving on the floor, we really were poised to get our first win in team history in the Irish Superleague. We went into the half down one. We came out somewhat flat again at the beginning of the third, but yet again turned it around. We kept the game very competitive throughout the final quarter but (and I never complain about stuff like this) due to horrendous officiating we ended up losing the game by ten.

At one point in the final period, after I had been brutally mugged for three consecutive quarters, I asked the other teams American why we, as a team, weren't getting any calls. All he said was "Well first, you're an American, and second, officials here don't care for the road teams at all." HAHA, it's going to be interesting to see how the rest of our road games go... Hopefully I don't have to break too many noses.

But, we have a bye this week which I think is good for us right now. It'll give us ample time to correct our mistakes and get focused for our next game. I really think we made great strides this past game all of my teammates really busted their butts and had that look in their eyes that they were hungry for a win, and I'm excited to see how we respond in two weeks when we travel to Belfast.

Wish us luck...
Simon