Kristen Feemster and Western Carolina begin Southern Conference tournament play tomorrow.

The Southern Conference tournament is here! During preseason when we were waking up every morning at 6:30 to run sprints, I never thought we would get to this point in the season. It seemed so far away. But it’s here now and all of the work we’ve put in over the last eight months will be put to the ultimate test this weekend.

Our practices this week were intense. They reminded me of studying for a big exam at the end of the year. Everything we’ve learned since the start of practice was brought up again and we made sure that everyone knew all the plays (especially me). I asked the coaches a ton of questions. Those who know me well know that I pretty much ask what I should do in every situation possible. Questions like, “Kellie, what if she goes over here? What do I do?” or “If she passes over there, where should I be?” Sure, we may be in practice a little longer, but knowing the answers gives me confidence going into a game.

There have been times in my career where I’ve had regrets after a game. I don’t like having regrets and I hope to leave everything I have out on the floor every night. Whether I play five minutes or 25 minutes, at the end of the game, I want to feel as if I helped our team be the best we can be. I think everyone on our team has the same attitude. Of course we want to have a great tournament individually but this team is the priority. Along with leaving everything out on the floor, mental toughness will be important. Playing defense again and again, even if you just got scored on, is a sign of mental toughness. Stepping up to the foul line and focusing on the shot, instead of the crazy band praying that you’ll miss, is being mentally tough. Continuing to hustle after every loose ball even though you only come up with one the whole game is mental toughness. Those two factors will be key during the tournament.

Plenty of people ask, “Are you ladies going to win it all?” Many people would automatically say yes but I don’t. I usually just say “I hope so!” Personally, whether w’ere picked to make it to the championship game or not doesn’t matter. Saying “Yes we’re going to win” weeks before the games begin means absolutely nothing once that ball goes in the air and the first whistle is blown.

Playing together and winning together is the best feeling and I’m not ready for it to be over. When we step on the court tomorrow, we have to be mentally tough and have no regrets once the final buzzer sounds because just like our team, our opponent doesn’t want their season to end either.