Christmas is just around the corner, and the men\u2019s and women\u2019s basketball teams are looking forward to a trip that involves more than just basketball. Both teams get the opportunity to travel to Hawaii this year.<\/p>\n
All sports teams travel, but depending on their schedule the distance varies. Basketball tries to give players this opportunity every four years so that way each of the players should get this trip of a lifetime at least once.<\/p>\n
Senior forward Sydney Layrock said this will be the second time she has ever flown. Her first plane ride was her freshman year when the team went to South Dakota for the NCAA tournament, which was a 3-hour flight, compared to the 9-hour flight to Hawaii.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn years past, I know they have gone to Seattle, and my freshman year they told us we would be going to Hawaii,\u201d Layrock said. \u201cEvery year we go on little trips like Kansas City or somewhere similar.\u201d<\/p>\n
Junior forward Braden Eggleston said he is looking forward to the opportunity to get to play and relax in Hawaii.<\/p>\n
\u201cBesides practice, we will have a lot of free time when we are there,\u201d Eggleston said. \u201cWe usually get to go home for two weeks during Christmas, but this year we will only get to go home for one week. Some of the families are coming out though to see us play and spend time together outside of everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although the teams are excited to travel, they say what they enjoy most about Harding is the atmosphere that only comes from playing at home. Junior guard Reggie Anthony said this is one thing that is special about Harding.<\/p>\n
\u201cHarding puts such an emphasis on relationships, and that\u2019s what sets us apart from other schools,\u201d Anthony said. \u201cBuilding those brother-like or sister-like friendships \u2014 that\u2019s the difference, and trying to show Christ in everything we do.\u201d<\/p>\n
No matter the miles that are traveled or places they go, Harding is the best place to play according to both teams.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy favorite thing is the atmosphere here at Harding,\u201d Layrock said. \u201cWhether it is 20 or 200 people, playing in front of people has been such a great honor. In college, women\u2019s basketball doesn\u2019t normally get that great of coverage or support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Layrock, being a senior, is looking forward to taking it all in and finishing the year with her teammates by her side.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want to make sure that I can be able to be a leader this year. Not so much about whether we are a winning or losing team, but rather that we did what was right when it needed to be done,\u201d Layrock said.<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s team will play in the Hawaii Classic Saturday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. CST against Hawaii Pacific University and Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. CST against Montana State University at Billings. The men will play in the Hoops in Hawaii Holiday Classic Saturday, Dec. 16, at 8:30 p.m. CST against Western Washington University and Sunday, Dec. 17, at 8:30 p.m. CST against Hawaii Pacific University. There is a link to watch it under hardingsports.com under both teams schedules.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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