'tis the season'...for some Great B-Ball Action

The first semester has pretty much come to an end; some have finished all their exams, some still have some testing to go but the Lady Petrels still have three games left before the New Year. I know some of you are going to go home for the entirety of the holiday break, but for those of you who live in the Atlanta area or can make it to the games over the break I strongly encourage you to do so. There is going to be some great basketball action over the next couple of weeks and one game in particular that a true Petrels fan can't afford to miss. In case you're just tuning in to the Lady Petrels 2007-2008 basketball season I'll give you a quick update; they're undefeated (7-0), ranked #19 in the nation according to D3hoops.com, they have an average margin of victory of almost 24 points, and they're fun to watch.

All three of the Petrels remaining games before the New Year will take place at home in the cozy confines of the Dorough Field House. On Saturday December 15th (as in tomorrow) at 2PM the Lady Petrels will take on the Lady Monarchs of Methodist University. The Monarchs were the Petrels opening night opponent up in Emory, Virginia that received a 36 point whooping from the Lady Petrels. So you may think that this game is a gimme, but Methodist is going to be looking for revenge and they are currently sitting at 4-1 on the year and will be bringing a 4 game winning streak into the Dorough Field House. Additionally, I don't think Methodist played up to their potential during the first match up. I do believe their winning streak will end tomorrow, but I'm expecting an entertaining game. For those hardcore Petrel fans I highly suggest that after the Lady Petrels finish taking care of business you head over the campus of Emory University to watch the men avenge last weeks loss to cross-town rival Emory at 7PM. Then take a break from basketball, go home, visit your family, have yourself a Merry Little Christmas and get ready for what will be two exciting post-Christmas Holiday tournament hosted by Oglethorpe.

On Saturday December 29, the Lady Petrels will take on the Lady Maroons of Roanoke College in what will be the first ever women's basketball match up between theses two schools. The Maroons will come in with a record of 4-2 and they will be coming in on a 24 day layoff, so I'll bet they're gonna be excited and pumped about playing again. Let's welcome the Maroons with some good 'ole fashioned Dorough Delinquent hospitality. Additionally, the Oglethorpe Men's team will play just prior to the women's game at 6PM versus the Dolphins of Mount Saint Vincent College from Riverdale, New York. If you can't make either of these games on Saturday I'll let you off the hook. However, if you miss Sunday's games then you're gonna miss some really exciting basketball action.

Mark your calendars folks and clear the whole day on Sunday December 30th for some great basketball action. At 6PM the #19 ranked Lady Petrels will be taking on the #22 ranked Wilmington College Quakers, the team that sent our beloved Lady Petrels home in the first round of last year's National Tournament. There is a good chance that both teams will hold a higher national ranking come tip-off on the 30th. The Lady Quakers are currently 7-1 with their only loss coming to #10 ranked Thomas More. This match up will be exciting and the Lady Petrels are gonna need the Petrel Nation to show up in force; I want a standing room only type of crowd. The Men's team will also be in action Sunday versus either Christopher Newport or Trinity (Connecticut) as their tournament does not have set match-ups for the Sunday games (Saturday's two winners will play each other on Sunday and Saturday's two losers will play each other on Sunday) so the time for their game will be determined Saturday night. They will either play just prior to the Lady Petrels or will directly follow the Lady Petrels (4PM or 8PM). These games will also be our chance to steal the National spotlight and gain some true National recognition as Pat Coleman, the creator and administrator of D3hoops.com will be in attendance as part of his "Southern Hospitality Tour". This is a tour that OU Men's Head Basketball Coach Phil Ponder has played a big role in orchestrating. Pat will be reporting on various D-III games throughout Georgia and Alabama. He is set to see 11 games in five days. So let's show Pat how the Petrel Nation lives and how loud and entertaining games at Dorough Field House can be. Pat will be at all four games played at Dorough Field House on the 30th.

Finally, if Sunday doesn't get you your fill of Lady Petrels Hoops then I strongly suggest you stop by the Dorough Field House on Monday December 31st and support the Lady Petrels with "The Stormin' Petrel Shoot-A-Thon Fund Raiser." The following is a message from Women's Head Basketball Coach Ron Sattele concerning the aforementioned fundraiser:

"Help send the Stormy Petrels to Italy in May. On December 31, New Year’s Eve, the Sea Pigeons will line up at the foul line and shoot free throws, Thousands of them. Each player will have an opportunity to make 1,000 foul shots. All you OU fans can be a part of this fund raiser. Choose your player (or choose all of them) and for each made shot you pledge to pay that player the amount you pledge. Could be a penny per made shot or it could be a quarter or a dollar. You decide. All the players have sign up sheets. I know the players will be hitting up all their relatives and close buddies but I know some of you out there will want to be a part of the fun. Just e-mail me (RSattele@oglethorpe.edu) with the amount you want to pledge and who you pledge it too. The trip is part of the Studies Abroad Program at Oglethorpe headed by Prof. Collins who will join us and guide us. The girls will keep a journal and write a final paper and receive course credit for the trip and hopefully play a little bball along the way. This trip should be a life altering experience for these great young women. I know most of you have enjoyed watching this special group of student/athletes compete. Now you have the opportunity to REALLY show your appreciation and support this fund raiser."

Enjoy the holidays and I hope to see everyone at the upcoming hoops games this holiday season!