by Stephanie Cavazos
Anyone who remembers the Cinderella story might be surprised to know we have one right here at Northwest Vista College with the Wildcats girls basketball team who are preparing for the South Texas Club Sports League this weekend at UTSA.
This team coached by Daniel Johnson was the first 2-year college team to make it to the Championship round at the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Tourney Feb. 26. Surprisingly, the Wildcats competed against 4 year colleges; although SAC and PAC were among their competitors.
“We beat 7 four-year colleges,” says Coach Johnson. “Among them was UT PAN AM from the south to Beaumont from the west, taking 2nd place.” “We put NVC on the map,” said Johnson.
Team unity is one of the core values the Wildcats attributes to a winning record. “It happens naturally,” says Johnson. However team unity is not the only value Coach Johnson teaches. “I believe in teaching sportsmanship,” says Johnson. “Just because we can outscore the other team doesn’t mean we have to blow them out the water.”
What’s next for the Wildcats? This weekend the Wildcats will be in a tournament at UTSA. Coach Johnson has a unique way of prepping his team. “Visualize yourself, see yourself making that layup, that 3 pointer, and it will happen,” he says. Every girl on the team has a different method to their mental preparation. “Each girl is different”, says Johnson. “One will listen to her iPod, while another will meditate.” No matter how they prepare, it’s safe to say the team’s spirit and morale comes to life once they step on the court. We have all heard it. It starts with a slow escalating clap ending in “Wildcats!” To cheer on the Wildcats attend this event and see what all the fuss is about. The girls already have a bye which places them into the Championship round March 13 at 1p. Their competition will be the winner of Southwest Texas Junior College (SWTJC) vs. St. Phillips College (SPC). Good Luck Wildcats!
Stephanie Cavazos is a student at Northwest Vista College.