Pepperdine basketball players will take Waves fans behind the scenes as the orange and blue of Malibu plays its 2003-04 women's basketball schedule. We've also added a link so you can submit your own questions for players to respond in their next entry. Being a collegiate basketball player creates an interesting journal, but being a collegiate basketball player at perhaps the most beautiful school in the country that is flocked with celebrities is a whole other story. Enjoy...

Dec. 22, 2003

Jasmine Clarendon
Freshman, Forward
Diary Entry No. 8

Monday December 15 :

We have just gotten back from Illinois and I have an injury. While going for a rebound I ran into a girl and fell straight on my back. I blacked out for a few seconds and sat out the rest of the game. I didn't practice on Monday because of this injury. It was very hard for me to sit there on the sideline watching my teammates run and play the game I love to play. I was seen by the trainer and the doctor and was informed that I had thrown my back out and have muscle spasm on the right side. This was one of the hardest things I have ever had to deal with injury wise. I felt as if I were an elderly woman who could not stand up straight.

Tuesday December 16 :

Tuesday was much like Monday because I was on the sideline just watching my teammate. I had a talk with my teammates because it was hard staying positive when you can't play. The only ways to keep my sprits up were to still be involved in practice. For example, I worked the shot clock and was the "motivational speaker" at practice.

Wednesday December 17:

GAME DAY! The day started with shoot around at noon and pre-game meal after. After pre- game meal those who need treatment get it then. For examples: ice, heat or massage for those injuries that you have. I was icing my back and ankle and doing my exercises that the trainer taught me. To loosen up my muscles so I could walk regular instead of old woman. After getting treatment before the game I like to take a nap and think about the game. Since we played at seven p.m. we had to be back at the gym ready to go at five thirty. We played Michigan State, a Top 25 team, and it was a close game yet we came up with the lost. Sitting the bench made me realize why I want to coach later in life, the thrill, excitement and love for the game in everyone's eyes is some thing you can't get from sitting behind a desk all day.

Thursday December 18:

Today is our day off. I went to the trainer (Debbie Prouse) and asked what she wanted me to do. I had been taking pills that the doctor gave me so my back was starting to fill much better. The trainer told me that it was ok for me to do my spot shooting and light contact. I started shooting around with Kia (Pepperdine assistant coach, Kai Felton) for an hour. The trainer saw me and she said that I could practice the next day. Afterwards, I informed all of my coaches.

Friday December 19:

Practice at 9:00 a.m...we went over Fairleigh Dickinson plays for the next game. At practice we shot a lot and finished around 11:30 a.m. After word we watched film and reviewed are scouting reports. I went to the trainer afterwards and told her how my back felt. After getting treatment she cleared me to play. Then I had a meeting with the coaches and training staff and explained to them that I could return. For the rest of the day I rested.

Saturday December 20:

GAME DAY (Malibu Beach Classic)
Since the game starts at five, we had to be back at the gym at three-thirty; dressed and ready to go. Before game time, we go over the scouting report and focus on the game. We won this game by twenty points but we had problems in the beginning and should have won by more. Yet a victory is a victory! Yes I was back and could play. After the game we watched to see who would win, in order to know who we'd face in the championship game of the Malibu Beach Classic.

Sunday December 21:

GAME DAY! We were in the championship game and we played TCU. We had shoot around at eleven and pre-game meal right after. Those who were hurt go to treatment and then I took my pre-game nap. We had to be dressed and ready to go at the gym by five since we played at seven. We went over the scouting report and focused on a wining. However, we ended up losing the game but everyone played their hearts out (the shots just didn't fall for us). This was our last game before Christmas break and I would have liked to get a win but at least we put in a lot of effort. Happy holidays!!!!

Go Waves!

Jasmine Clarendon #24