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Nov. 21, 2010

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Bahamas Photo Gallery

Sunday, Nov. 21 | Atlanta, Ga.
The Auburn women's basketball team left the Auburn Arena early Sunday morning, heading out for a week-long road trip in which the Tigers will play three games in Tampa, Fla., and Freeport, Bahamas.

Flying out of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Auburn begins the trek with a 6 p.m. CT, Monday game at South Florida - the Tigers' first road game of the season.

From Tampa, Auburn will travel down to the Bahamas to participate in the 2010 Junkanoo Jam. The Tigers will open with a 12 p.m. CT, Friday game against Sacred Heart (be sure to follow all the action on Twitter @AuburnWBB or become a fan on facebook to keep up with the game during the Iron Bowl). Auburn will then play either Seton Hall or Boston College in the second round of the tournament.

Also check back to AuburnTigers.com for player journal entries, photos and videos throughout the week.

Can't wait to get this week started! War Eagle!

Sunday, Nov. 21 (4 p.m. ET) | Tampa, Fla.
The Tigers have arrived in Tampa! Easy flight in from Atlanta and not much on the docket today. We will head over to USF's campus for a practice this evening and then a little team dinner. Be on the lookout for updates from the players and Coach Fortner.

Follow Auburn women's basketball on Twitter at twitter.com/AuburnWBB.

Sunday, Nov. 21 (4:45 p.m. ET) | Tampa, Fla.

Sunday, Nov. 21 (11:05 p.m. ET) | Tampa, Fla.
Here is Sunday's player blog entry from freshman Peyton Davis (6-5, C, Birmingham, Ala.)
So, I'm pretty excited about our first real game(s) on the road! It's the freshmen's first REAL trip, besides our one-day scrimmage in New Orleans in October. This is a much larger and longer trip; we'll be gone for a week, from Sunday to Sunday. Today we flew to Tampa, Florida, to play The University of South Florida tonight.

This morning, we met at the arena to bus over to Atlanta to catch our flight. Tradition on our team- on every team I'm sure- makes the freshmen carry any extra bags. Luckily, there are five of us this year, so it's not too bad. Normally when we get together there's a lot of goofing off and joking around, but the majority of the team was asleep by the time we hit the interstate. I thought that when we got to the airport things would be crazy and hectic because so many people are with us, but Coach Maines handles our travel plans so well. We checked our bags and were through security in no time. We had a little bit of time before the flight, so everyone pretty much went their separate ways to get lunch then met back up in front of our gate before the boarding the plane

Once we were on the plane was when things got a little funny. Some of the girls aren't as comfortable flying as others are. Tyrese was a little nervous about the takeoff but once we were in the air she was perfectly fine! I've known Tyrese since I was 12, and one of the first times she flew- besides once when she was 4 or 5 years old- was when we were on our way to AAU nationals in Amarillo, Texas. Her mom was coming in the next day, so my mom was with us and talked her through the whole flight, it was pretty funny!

When we landed in Tampa, we grabbed our bags and got on the charter bus to bring us to the hotel. The site of palm trees and the bay perked everyone up a little bit! Once we unloaded, we met in a meeting room to continue our scouting report against South Florida. After that we hopped back on the charter bus to USF's gym for one last practice before the game. We finished up around 8:15 PM & headed straight to Golden Corral (Coach Fortner's favorite) for team dinner. After we got back to the hotel we had a team meeting, then it was time to shower and get ready for bed. Which is what I'm doing right now, so goodnight! Wish us luck tomorrow and pray for a safe trip to the Bahamas!

War Eagle!!

Monday, Nov. 22 (5:55 p.m. ET) | Tampa, Fla.
Pretty low-key day today in Tampa. Woke up for some breakfast around 9 a.m. and then went to shootaround at Noon. Watched some film and relaxed in the afternoon. We also had our pre-game meal, shrimp, pasta and steak never gets old - especially with a nice view of one of the canals near the bay out the window. Almost game time here at the Sun Dome, ready to hit the floor and get a win.

It will be an early day for us tomorrow - 4:30 a.m. wake-up call to head to the airport for our flight to the Bahamas!

Also, thanks a lot to all the fans that came out to the game tonight - we definitely notice the orange up there in the stands!

Tuesday, Nov. 23 (6:30 a.m. ET) | Tampa, Fla. Airport
Here is Tuesday's player blog entry from sophomore point guard Morgan Toles (5-9, G, Fayetteville, Ga.)
It's 4:30 a.m. and we just got up to leave the hotel. We're about to head out on the bus and head to the Tampa airport. Destination=BAHAMAS!!!! But we'll be stopping in Miami first in between flights! This is my second time going to the Bahamas so I'm excited along with the rest of the team! All anxious to experience a new area and also play in the Thanksgiving tournament that will be hosted down there.

We have about three days until our first game down there so during that time we'll be doing fun activities the coaches have planned for us while also still getting practice time in as a team. Should be an experience! Here we come BAHAMAS!!!! WOOOOO!!! WAR EAGLE!!!

Tuesday, Nov. 23 (9:30 p.m. ET) | Freeport, Bahamas
We are here! The Auburn Tigers landed in Freeport, Bahamas just before Noon today and we have been on the go since.

We had an entertaining and informational bus ride to our hotel, courtesy of Joe, the driver. Once we got checked in and settled into our rooms, everyone was free to explore the area, including the open-air marketplace area across the street from the hotel. Almost everyone went over there for lunch and a little shopping.

After a film session with the coaches, we had a team meeting and much to everyone's surprise - Coach Fortner gave us the rest of the day off! That gave everyone the chance to relax, explore the area some more and also get some much-needed beach time. The beach here is beautiful - if you cannot be at home for Thanksgiving, this is a good alternative.

We will get back to work tomorrow, though. We have a long day planned with practice in the morning and film sessions. But, we also get to have a beach party in the afternoon and the tournament organizers are hosting a welcome reception and karaoke party later in the evening. Can't wait to get tomorrow started!

Be on the lookout for some photos and video after tomorrow's events.

War Eagle!

Wenesday, Nov. 24 (12:30 p.m. ET) | Freeport, Bahamas

Wednesday, Nov. 24 (3:30 p.m. ET) | Freeport, Bahamas
Just got back from our beach party! It was a lot of fun. We had unlimited use of some jet skis, an inflatable trampoline and banana boat rides. It was great. They told us that we were going out to see dolphins on the banana boat, but instead they went out and tried to flip us. Coach Fortner rode in the boat with the driver one time and kept trying to get him to flip us. It was a great time and a great way to spend an afternoon with the team. Now it is time to go watch some film on Sacred Heart before dinner and our welcome reception tonight.

Wednesday, Nov. 24 (5:45 p.m. ET) | Freeport, Bahamas

Thursday, Nov. 25 (2 p.m. ET) | Freeport, Bahamas | Thanksgiving Day!
The Auburn women's basketball team would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from the Bahamas! Everyone took some time out this morning to think about what they are thankful for. Here is what the team had to say: Blanche Alverson: I am thankful for being able to be at a great place with great people.
Peyton Davis: I am thankful for my family and teammates.
Camille Glymph: I am thankful for my family and basketball.
Jordan Greenleaf: I am thankful for my family and my health.
Chantel Hilliard: I am thankful for my family, they have done a lot for me.
Reneisha Hobbs: I am thankful for my person family and the Auburn Family!
Morgan Jennings: I am thankful for my family, my friends and the opportunities Auburn gives me.
Parrisha Simmons: I am thankful for my family and friends.
Alli Smalley: I am thankful for my friends, my family, my teammates and being able to spend Thanksgiving with them.
Courtney Strain: I am thankful for my family, friends and having the Lord to save me.
Tyrese Tanner: I am thankful for my friends, family , teammates and being alive today.
Nicolle Thomas: I am just thankful for being alive!
Morgan Toles: I am thankful for being a part of a great team with a lot of character.
Pascale West: I am thankful for my family and my faith.
Jassany Williams: I am thankful for having a loving and supportive family that is always there for me.

Coach Fortner also wanted to wish all the Auburn fans a Happy Thanksgiving:

Thursday, Nov. 25 (6:45 p.m. ET) | Freeport, Bahamas | Thanksgiving Day!
We spent the afternoon today going out on a boat to do a dolphin experience. We left the marina near our hotel and drove out on the Atlantic Ocean for a while before we came to a canal that led to the dolphin area. Once there, we got to get in the water with the dolphins, pet them and get a kiss on the cheek from them. Here is a photo gallery from our Bahamas trip so far and a video of Alli, Blanche and Moto on our dolphin experience:

Bahamas Photo Gallery

Thursday, Nov. 25 (10 p.m. ET) | Freeport, Bahamas | Thanksgiving Day!
Here is Thurssday's player blog entry from junior Chantel Hilliard (6-2, F/C, Biloxi, Miss.)
HAPPY TURKEY DAY EVERYONE!!! Today was so much fun!!! Woke up this morning with a hard day of practice to get a win against Sacred Heart tomorrow. After practice we were off to our festivities.

We were lucky enough to get a Dolphin Excursion for one of our festivities for the night. We all got to say hello to the dolphins, kiss the dolphins and we even got splashed by the dolphins. It was a great show and a lot of fun bonding with the team.

Later on we had Thanksgiving dinner with a lot of food. Maybe I can get my mother to cook that much food. At the end of our dinner we were surprised with a performance by the beautiful people in the Bahamas!!!! It was great. Put a smile on the coaches face, teams face, and everyone who came along.

WAR EAGLE!!!

Saturday, Nov. 27 (5 p.m. ET) | Freeport, Bahamas
Just finished playing our second and final game today. After struggling a little yesterday against Sacred Heart, we came out and had a really good game against Seton Hall.

It all started in shootaround this morning. Instead of our normal shootaround, where we get warm and go back over the scouting report, Coach Fortner had us really get after it, really focusing on our defense. It paid off today because defense was where it was at. We were able to score a lot in transition, forcing a lot of turnovers - it made playing a lot of fun!

Playing in the gym was a different experience. It is a small high school gym (not even like high school gyms in the United States). There was a small stage at one end and only enough seating for a couple hundred people. There were actually some pretty good crowds at the games, considering we are in a different country, and after today's game, there was a group of local boys around to get everyone's autograph.

Playing our game so early, everyone has the chance to enjoy one more evening in the Bahamas tonight. Some are going out to dinner, some are shopping and some are going to the beach. One more night in paradise!

We head out Sunday morning to go back to Auburn, then it is back to work. We have a game on Thursday and another on Saturday - both at home. Should be a great week!

Sunday, Nov. 28 (11 a.m. ET) | Freeport, Bahamas
This is the final entry from the 2010 women's basketball trip to the Bahamas. Freshman Tyrese Tanner, who was named to the Junkanoo Jam All-Tournament Team along with Alli Smalley, gives the final sign-off.

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