All-Access at the CAA Tournament in DC: 2nd Round Saturday

Conference tournaments are about basketball but also so much more: the fans, parents, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The CAA Tournament is taking place this weekend in Washington, DC, and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of access in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage from DC with a recap of the 2nd round quadruple-header on Saturday.

GAME #1: Elon-Drexel
After inhaling some pizza/garlic bread, let’s tip-off a quadruple-header from CareFirst (formerly the Entertainment & Sports) Arena:

The CAA usually puts me above the 100 level in a press box, but apparently I have not alienated them because I got to sit in the 2nd row! Towson coach Pat Skerry (fresh off being named 2025 conference COY last Thursday) was a few seats to my right doing some scouting, as he will face the winner of today’s game at noon on Sunday:

The Drexel Dragon was feeling very confident as his team built a big lead early:

Drexel G Kobe MaGee lived up to his legendary 1st name in the 1st 20 minutes with 19 PTS/4-7 3PM:

His backcourt mate Jason Drake lived up to his legendary last name (Love the Drake!) with 14 PTS/6-8 FG in the 1st half including a 30-footer at the halftime buzzer (not pictured) to give his team a huge 45-22 halftime lead:

Speaking of huge, you do not see too many 7’4″ guys in the NCAA, much less the CAA, but Elon C Matthew Van Komen certainly qualifies:

After falling behind by 25 PTS early in the 2nd half, the Phoenix instituted a full-court press and made a furious rally to cut the deficit to 5 PTS thanks to Sam Sherry/TK Simpkins (who each scored 23 PTS on 50 FG%):

However, Drexel was able to stop the bleeding with an 11-0 run of its own to win it by a score of 91-74 and will face #1 seed Towson on Sunday at noon.

In the postgame press conference I asked Drake about his buzzer-beater (which helped him tie his career-high of 25 PTS). He said that the team did not run a specific play, but that he works on that shot after practice and has always been trying to do that his whole life. I wanted to see how Drexel coach Zach Spiker felt about facing Towson since his 2 losses to the Tigers were in OT in January and by 1-PT in February. He confirmed that Towson is the #1 seed for a reason and won a lot of 1-possession games this year. He warned me that Coach Skerry would try to find a nugget to put on the bulletin board in his locker room…but that he was not getting anything today!:

GAME #2: Delaware-Campbell

The Blue Hen is certainly not feeling blue today (while also freaking me out!), and the Camel is ready to rock after stretching his legs:

Campbell G Tasos Cook led the way with 9 PTS in the 1st half, but Delaware F John Camden scored 11 as the Blue Hens took a 36-30 halftime lead:

I missed most of the 2nd half while interviewing a couple of Campbell band members, but Delaware G Erik Timko picked up much of the slack with 19 PTS/3-6 3PM/12 REB as the Blue Hens cruised to a 79-62 win.

In the postgame press conference I asked Delaware coach Martin Ingelsby whether he would take any lessons from his team’s double-digit win over William & Mary exactly 4 weeks ago or whether you just throw out the tape because the regular season and postseason are so different. He said that it is 1 of his team’s only wins recently despite taking place a LONG time ago, and that the Tribe will make things chaotic for 40 minutes. When you are only playing 7 1/2 guys you need to get some rest, but since the 2 teams have similar styles on offense that will help prepare his guys for tomorrow:

GAME #3: Hampton-Northeastern
Dinner was delicious: make-your-own taco salad, then cheesecake for dessert! The Husky must be as exhausted as I am because he was resting in the front row with his tongue hanging out:

I missed most of the game while typing up 1 interview and conducting another. George Beale Jr. scored 10 PTS for Hampton in the 1st half but Rashad King had 13 PTS (and an incredulous stare in my direction) as Northeastern headed to halftime with a 37-29 lead.

Those 2 stars kept it rolling in the 2nd half, but Hampton’s Noah Farrakhan (22 PTS) stepped up and helped his team hang on down the stretch for a 70-65 victory:

In the postgame press conference I asked Hampton coach Ivan Thomas how a 1st year coach was able to beat the winningest coach in CAA history (Bill Coen). He noted that while he is a 1st-year college coach, he was a high school coach for 15 years. Coen is a great coach and they hail from the same coaching tree “indirectly”. They both preach physicality/toughness and he was happy that Hampton was able to prevail:

I wondered how Farrakhan felt about finally winning a conference tourney game after going 0-2 during his time at ECU/West Virginia. He said that it felt good: he had talked to his teammates before the game and told them to cherish these moments because they go by real fast.

We also learned that Beale/Farrakhan shared this beautiful “Put in the Work” belt because…well, they had both put in in the work:

GAME #4: Hofstra-Monmouth
I am sure that it was a fun game but quadruple-headers are a young man’s game. I got to see a pair of former interviewees (Jack/Kathleen Miller) as they were preparing to cheer for their son Corey’s Monmouth team…and then headed out before I fell asleep. That is a wrap for today, check back tomorrow for the quarterfinal quadruple-header as the top seeds finally take the court.

Posted in News and Notes | Tagged | Comments Off on All-Access at the CAA Tournament in DC: 2nd Round Saturday

All-Access at the CAA Tournament in DC: HoopsHD interviews Hampton cheerleader Sanai Charles

Conference tournaments are about basketball but also so much more: the fans, parents, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The CAA Tournament is taking place this weekend in Washington, DC, and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of access in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage from DC with an interview of Hampton cheerleader Sanai Charles about what to watch on Netflix and her prediction for tonight’s game vs. Northeastern.

You are from Rockland County, NY: what made you choose Hampton? Both of my cousins went there, and when I got to visit them while I was in high school it felt like home.

You did track in high school: how does that compare to cheer in terms of the effort involved? They are the same. Even though track is an individual sport, I ran relay events so we still had a team environment. You have to do well in your individual events if you want your team to win.

You are a Biology pre-med student: how did you choose that subject, and what is the post-graduation plan? I loved science classes growing up and had a great biology teacher in high school. I have a lot of lawyers in my family so I wanted to go a different route.

I heard that you are a big Netflix binge-watcher: any recommendations for our audience? I like “Beauty in Black” by Tyler Perry.

After 5 straight losing seasons you have a winning record this year: is it more fun to cheer for the team now that they are doing well? Definitely! It keeps our spirit up when the basketball team is fighting hard on the court to be the best they can be.

What has been the highlight of your season so far: the 5-game winning streak in February, Senior Night, other? My personal highlight was beating Stony Brook in our home finale…since my dad is a Stony Brook alum!

How does your coach decide who gets to go to DC, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? It is based on our overall cheer/dance ability. I have been on the team since my freshman year and I am very grateful for the opportunity.

Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for this week? Nothing off the top of my head, but my birthday is coming up so I think we will be doing something to celebrate.

Any predictions for tonight’s game vs. Northeastern? I think the Pirates will come up with the win. They have great teamwork so I think they have a good chance to go all the way.

Posted in News and Notes | Tagged , | Comments Off on All-Access at the CAA Tournament in DC: HoopsHD interviews Hampton cheerleader Sanai Charles

Hoops HD Daily Rundown – Saturday, March 8th

For our latest CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK VIDEO NOTEBOOK where we recap all of yesterday’s conference tournaemnt action and preview all of today’s – CLICK HERE

SURVIVAL BOARD UPDATE:

– The final spot in the Ivy League Tournament will go to Brown if they defeat Yale at home, Princeton loses at home to Penn and Harvard loses at home to Dartmouth. Otherwise, it goes to Princeton.

– The final spot in the SWAC tournament goes to Prairie View if they win at home vs Texas Southern or Arkansas-Pine Bluff loses at home to Alcorn State. Otherwise, it goes to Pine Bluff.

– The final spot in the MAAC Tournament goes to Fairfield if they win at home vs Quinnipiac or St. Peter’s loses at home to Canisius. If Fairfield loses and St. Peter’s wind, then the spot goes to Niagara if they win at Rider, or St. Peter’s if Niagara loses.

– The final 2 spots in the Big West Tournament will go to Cal Poly and Hawai’i if Cal Poly wins at Long Beach and Hawai’i wins at Northridge. If one of the two teams loses, then the team that wins and Cal State-Bakersfield will take the two spots. If both Cal Poly and Hawai’i lose, then Cal State-Bakersfield and Hawai’i will get the 2 spots.

– One more team will be eliminated from the Big Ten Tournament. If UCLA defeats USC at home OR Northwestern wins at Maryland today, Sunday’s Iowa at Nebraska game will be a virtual play-in game for the final spot in the Big Ten field. If UCLA and Northwestern both lose, there is one possible scenario where Northwestern ends up getting left out instead (both Iowa and Minnesota would have to win Sunday as well).

.

NEWS AND NOTES:

-Illinois finished off their regular season with a big 88-80 home win over Purdue. The Illini have gone through good and bad stretches this year, but they now appear to be healthy, they on their last three regular season games, and are a potentially dangerous NCAA Tournament. Purdue, who had been flying high, ended their regular season by losing five of their last seven

.

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:

-SAINT JOHN’S AT MARQUETTE (Big East). This is one of the tougher games of the year for Saint John’s and a win perhaps locks them into a protected seed. Even with a loss the Johnnies are still in really good shape heading into the Big East Tournament. As for Marquette, they are solidly in the field, but can improve their seeding with a win today and a strong showing in the Big East Tournament.

-KENTUCKY AT MISSOURI (SEC). Both teams are safely in the field and both are on the fringe of earning a protected seed. One thing Kentucky could improve upon is their number of true road wins and to get one in a game like this may lock them into a protected seed regardless of what happens next week. Mizzou has been very tough to beat on their home court and I’m sure the committee realizes that.

-MISSISSIPPI STATE AT ARKANSAS (SEC). Arkansas is squarely on the bubble. This game, along with the early round games in the SEC Tournament, feel like must win games. Mississippi State has a good profile and has the chance to really improve upon it with a win today and then some wins in the SEC Tournament.

-VANDERBILT AT GEORGIA (SEC). Vanderbilt is already a virtual lock, but a win today makes then a certain lock. Georgia is still right on the bubble and has work to do. They have been playing better lately and they’re at home against a team that has not been the best on the road. The Bulldogs need this one, and they’ll probabaly need some wins next week as well.

-ALABAMA AT AUBURN (SEC). Alabama has shown that they are a remarkably good team, but they’re also capable of losing to other remarkably good teams. They have lost two straight coming into this, but they were to Tennessee and Florida. This is perhaps the toughest matchup of the three. Auburn is at home, and it’s a rivalry game, and they’ll be jacked way up for it. This may be the toughest game that anyone plays all year. Beating a Final Four caliber team is hard to do, but beating the best team in the country on their court is even harder. And…in about a week’s time we may see these two squaring off again!!

-OHIO STATE AT INDIANA (Big Ten). This is about as bubblicous as they come! Both teams are squarely on the bubble and both really need this win today. Both will also need to probably pick up at least one win in the Big Ten Tournament, but winning today is a almost a must.

-ARIZONA AT KANSAS (Big 12). This is a really tough road test for an Arizona team that’s had some really high water marks this year, but that’s not always played up to their ceiling. Having said that, they’ve played well enough to where a win today should lock them into a protected seed. It won’t be easy, though. While Kansas has had their struggles, they’re still a solid tournament team and are very tough to beat at home.

-OLE MISS AT FLORIDA (SEC). Ole Miss is safely in the field and can really give their potential seed a boost if they can somehow win this one on the road. Florida is battling for a #1 seed and needs to hold serve today and pick up some big wins next week.

-DUKE AT NORTH CAROLINA (ACC). So, the storyline from this one is that Duke is fighting for a #1 seed and even if they lose I still think they’ll end up on the #1 line. North Carolina is fighting for a spot in the field. A win helps, and it probably puts them in, but a loss doesn’t necessarily eliminate them depending on who they end up playing and beating in the ACC Tournament next week. Oh yeah, this is also a rivalry game! And the two teams are just 8 miles apart! And they’ve NEVER met in an NCAA Tournament game and an odd numbered year!!!

-OKLAHOMA AT TEXAS (SEC). This is another super-bubblicious game. Oklahoma has struggled in conference play and has only won one true road game. Today, they have a chance to win a true conference road game against a team that’s also on the bubble. That will address a lot of the things that are missing from their resume. Texas got a big road win at Mississippi State earlier in the week to keep themselves in the discussion. A win today and a couple of wins next week may be enough to get them in, but if they lose today it will really hurt their chances and make the hill they need to climb up a whole lot steeper.

-HOUSTON AT BAYLOR (Big 12). Houston will likely end up as a #1 seed even if they lose this game. We are forecasting Baylor as being inside the bubble, but not far enough inside to where you could call them safe. A win tonight, even though it’s at home, would make them a whole lot safer!!

OTHER NOTABLE GAMES:

-Penn State @ Wisconsin (Big Ten) – Wisky is a solid protected seed and is positioning themselves for a possible deep run in the NCAA Tournament. They just need to hold serve and win their last regular season game

-Iowa State @ Kansas State (Big 12) – Iowa State was beaten in the first meeting between these two, so this is a chance for them to avenge that loss and add another road win to their profile

-South Carolina @ Tennessee (SEC) – this really is just a hold-serve game for the Vols. They’re in the hunt for a #1 seed and will remain that way heading into the SEC Tournament

-Stanford @ Louisville (ACC) – Louisville can pretty much lock up a spot in the top half of the bracket with a win today

-Yale @ Brown (Ivy League) – Yale has wrapped up 1st place and this is really just a warmup game for the Ivy Four

-Georgia Tech @ Wake Forest (ACC) – I get the sense that Wake will be on the board, but won’t be inside the bubble barring a run to the ACC Championship game

-Seton Hall @ UConn (Big East) – UConn is a lock for the NCAA Tournament and should cruise through this one. Although, Seton Hall did win the first game!

-Northwestern @ Maryland (Big Ten) – Maryland is on the brink of earning a protected seed. If they can hold serve at home today and pick up some wins in the Big Ten Tournament they could end up getting it

-Liberty @ Western Kentucky (Conference USA) – Liberty is potentially a tough opponent in the Round of 64 if they can get there. They can wrap up at least a share of 1st place with a win today, but they’ll need to win the auto bid to make the field

-Texas A&M @ LSU (SEC) – TAMU pulled themselves out of a tailspin in a big way with their win against Auburn earlier in the week. It’s not easy to win on the road, but this is still a road game they should win

-SMU @ Florida State (ACC) – SMU probably can’t reach the bubble, but if they win out to the ACC Championship game they may get a serious look

-Air Force @ Utah State (Mountain West) – Utah State can virtually lock themselves in if they avoid a loss today

-Providence @ Xavier (Big East) – Xavier is squarely on the bubble and needs to avoid a loss in this game. Even with a win they may have a little more work to do in the conference tournament next week

-Grand Canyon @ Abilene Christian (WAC) – GCU is probably the best team in the WAC, but the best they can do in the conference standings is a tie for 1st and they’ll need a Utah Valley loss for that to happen

-UC San Diego @ UC Davis (Big West) – UCSD can clinch an outright 1st place finish, and in my opinion clinch a spot inside the bubble, with a win today

-Virginia Tech @ Clemson (ACC) – Clemson’s resume is very strong and if they can hold serve and pick up some big wins next week they may be on the brink of a protected seed

-Butler @ Creighton (Big East) – Creighton is safely in the field and should be safely in the top half of the bracket. A win today would ding them a little bit, but not by too much

-Texas Tech @ Arizona State (Big 12) – Texas Tech is a virtual lock for a protected seed and should be able to add another road win to their resume

-USC @ UCLA (Big Ten) – It’s a rivalry game, but it’s also a big mismatch. UCLA should hold serve and depending on what happens next week could end up with a really solid seed

-Utah Valley @ Tarleton State (WAC) – Utah Valley can clinch 1st place outirght with a win tonight

-Utah @ BYU (Big 12) – BYU is one of the hottest teams in the country right now. They’re riding a huge wave of momentum and energy, the fans should be bonkers tonight, and Utah is probably just going to be far too overwhelmed

-UC Irvine @ UC Santa Barbara (Big West) – at-large hopes are barely flickering for UCI. My feelings on them are that if they win tonight they belong in, but that the actual committee isn’t likely to take them. But, to have any chance at all, they need to win tonight

-Nevada @ San Diego State (Mountain West) – the Azetcs should be safely in if they win this one, but they may not be safely in with a loss. They need to hold serve

Posted in Daily Rundown, News and Notes, Survival Board | Comments Off on Hoops HD Daily Rundown – Saturday, March 8th

All-Access at the CAA Tournament in DC: HoopsHD interviews Northeastern cheerleader Jenna Barber

Conference tournaments are about basketball but also so much more: the parents, fans, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The CAA Tournament is taking place this weekend in Washington, DC, and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of access in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage from DC with an interview of Northeastern cheerleader Jenna Barber about being a captain and her prediction for tonight’s game vs. Hampton.

You are from North Attleboro, MA: what made you choose Northeastern? It is a really good school that offers a lot of career opportunities.

You are majoring in psychology/behavioral neuroscience: how did you choose those subjects? I am in a “Plus 1” program so I am also getting my Masters in applied behaior analysis. I enjoy working with kids, and psychology is the best prerequisite major to do that.

You are captain of the team: what is the key to being a good leader? We are a club sport but compete at a national level. The keys are to lead by example and be a role model for my teammates.

You are a senior: what is the post-graduation plan? I currently work as a therapist for a behavioral consulting agency.

After not winning more than 12 games in any of the past 4 years the Huskies won 17 this year: is it more fun to cheer for the team now that they are doing well? It is definitely more fun! The basketball team also seems to be enjoying it, and the game-day atmosphere this year has been great.

What has been the highlight of your season so far: beating up on some of the other Boston schools in November, Senior Night, other? Senior Night was very fun. We beat North Carolina A&T, and after taking a big lead our coach put in the seniors!

Your squad is ranked 3rd in the nation in all-girl D-1: what would it mean to you to win NCA nationals next month? It would mean pretty much everything. Our coach Kennedy Pagano has worked with us for the past 4 years to help us become as competitive as we are: it would be my peak.

How does your team decide who gets to go to DC, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? There are 24 girls on the team and we choose the 12 strongest to come to DC. It is the only time all year that we travel with the team: it is nice to support them and do more outreach in new places.

Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for this week? It is a chance to hang out as a team, and since we have our strongest cheerleaders it allows us to perform more advanced skills on the sideline.

Any predictions for your game on Saturday vs. Hampton? I think our team will do well. We used to have a situation where our 1 best player would have to carry the whole team, but this year is great because everyone has been feeding off each other.

Posted in News and Notes | Tagged , | Comments Off on All-Access at the CAA Tournament in DC: HoopsHD interviews Northeastern cheerleader Jenna Barber

All-Access at the CAA Tournament in DC: HoopsHD interviews Campbell band members Anna Miller/Matt Olive

Conference tournaments are about basketball but also so much more: the parents, fans, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The CAA Tournament is taking place this weekend in Washington, DC, and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of access in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage from DC with an interview of Campbell band members Anna Miller/Matt Olive about majoring in music education and their predictions for today’s game vs. Delaware.

You are both from North Carolina: what made you choose Campbell? ANNA: I am a big family person with 2 young siblings so I really wanted to be close to home. MATT: Music is really important to me and during COVID I was impressed that the Campbell band modified its approach rather than act like most schools and shut everything down.

You are both majoring in music education (Anna is focusing on the French Horn): why did you choose that subject? ANNA: I started playing the trumpet in 6th grade and the French Horn in 7th grade. I originally majored in physical therapy…but I hated it. Fortunately, I was minoring in music so after making it my major it was easy to get into the swing of things. MATT: In high school I had a lot of opportunities to lead/teach my peers, which was my “a-ha” moment, and I have not looked back ever since.

You play the mellophone: what the heck is that, and what is your favorite song to play? ANNA: It is like a bigger trumpet with a lower pitch and has a punchier sound. I like to play “Holiday” by Green Day and “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)” by The Offspring.

You play the drums: when did you 1st start playing the drums, and what is your favorite song to play? MATT: I started in church, and through trial and error I eventually figured it out. I like to play any song by Twenty One Pilots because of their drummer Josh Dun.

You are the incoming Drum Major for this fall: what was your reaction when you got the good news? ANNA: I knew that it would probably be me, as I work heavily with our band director Dr. Phillips, but I was still very excited to get it.

You are the graduating Drum Major: what has that role entailed? MATT: I conduct the band, teach band camp, and pass along all our traditions. We offer opportunities for rising high school students including “Rally Day” when they get to join our band for the day.

What is the post-graduation plan? ANNA: I am a junior and hope to be a middle school band director and eventually help lead a high school marching band. MATT: I am a senior and would like to teach elementary music for a couple of years, then head to grad school, then become a high school band director.

What can you tell me about your hobbies? ANNA: I enjoy reading so if I had to share a book recommendation I would say that my favorite series is “The Hunger Games”. There is a new book in the series that is coming out soon and I am very excited that my mother pre-ordered it for me! MATT: I enjoy composing music and have even arranged some tunes that the Sound of the Sandhills Basketball Pep Band plays. My biggest project has been “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts. I had to decide which parts are the most important and what instrument they are best suited for, then complete a piano sketch and turn it into a band score.

What has been the highlight of your season so far: the 7-game winning streak, Senior Night, other? ANNA: Senior Night was really exciting, but also sad. The reason I will never forget it is that 2 of our other percussionists got engaged that night! MATT: We are known for playing well but also for being a bit rowdy. Our women’s team has been great this year, especially at home (12-2!), so I feel that we serve as their home-court advantage.

How does your school decide who gets to go to DC, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? ANNA: You have to be respectful/responsible. Our band director wants to bring good students who are also energetic. MATT: We have to sound good, be well-balanced, and look good in terms of the quality that we carry ourselves with in DC. A professor once told me that the 3 keys are to be talented, easy to work with, and reliable. This actually feels very similar to playing at home so we will bring the same energy that we always do.

Does your band have anything extra-special planned for this week? ANNA: I am hoping that we win, as that would give us the chance to visit a couple more monuments in DC. If we lose today then at least we will get to do some shopping at the Potomac Mills Mall on the way home. MATT: I am a big foodie so I am glad that we will get to enjoy new varieties of food…pending a victory.

Any predictions for your game on Saturday vs. Delaware? ANNA: It will be a close game, but I do not want to jinx it by picking a winner! MATT: I respect Coach Kevin McGeehan and know that he will put some inspiration into our players: fortunately we have been a good 2nd half team all year.

Posted in News and Notes | Tagged , , | Comments Off on All-Access at the CAA Tournament in DC: HoopsHD interviews Campbell band members Anna Miller/Matt Olive

All-Access at the CAA Tournament in DC: HoopsHD interviews Elon cheerleader Kaitlyn Leazer

Conference tournaments are about basketball but also so much more: the parents, fans, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The CAA Tournament is taking place this week in Washington, DC, and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of access in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage from DC with an interview of Elon cheerleader Kaitlyn Leazer about cheering for a winner and her prediction for today’s game.

You are from Cramerton, NC: what made you choose Elon? I wanted to go to a small school in North Carolina that had a good education program. I did golf/track/swim/cheer in high school and wanted to continue doing a sport in college. I tried out for the cheer team…and made it!

You are majoring in elementary/special education: how did you choose those subjects? While I was doing sports in high school I also served as a volunteer coach for younger kids and loved doing that. I am now a North Carolina teaching fellow.

Last spring you won the All-Female Coach’s Award: what did it mean to you to receive such an honor? It meant the world to me: it was such a high honor for my coach to recognize me.

You are a senior: what is the post-graduation plan? I will stay in Alamance County and become a special-ed teacher. I actually submitted my application for the Masters program at Elon this morning while on the bus ride to the arena.

You have been cheering for most of your life: how did you 1st get into it? I started as a 5-year old cheering at Pop Warner games and fell in love with it.

The Phoenix have had losing records for the past 3 seasons but will finish this year with a winning record: how nice is it to finally get to cheer for a successful team?! It is awesome! The atmosphere at our games this year has been amazing. The fans have showed up in great numbers and it feels like 1 big family.

What has been the highlight of your season so far: beating Notre Dame on the road, Senior Night, other? Beating Notre Dame was great, as was keeping it close on the road in our season-opener at UNC (Elon led by 2 PTS with 7 minutes left). We also beat Towson a couple of weeks ago, and they are the #1 seed in the tourney this week.

How does your school decide who gets to go to DC, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? Our coach selects people from 2 teams to form 1 combined team: it is usually comprised of upperclassmen. I have only cheered at the women’s tournament in the past so cheering at the men’s tournament this week will be a fun new experience.

Any predictions for your opening game vs. Drexel? Hopefully a win! It is an 8 vs. 9 game so it should be close. We did a send-off for the teams from the hotel this morning with the Drexel squad, which was nice.

Posted in News and Notes | Tagged , | Comments Off on All-Access at the CAA Tournament in DC: HoopsHD interviews Elon cheerleader Kaitlyn Leazer