Robbie Wizenberg

December 6, 2004

After the disappointing season we had last season, we worked all off-season to ensure that it would not happen again. The team this season is very different than it was last season, with the addition of seven new players.

The team chemistry is very strong and everyone has really bought into Coach Zuver's defensive mentality. The new freshmen have adjusted quickly and given us positive contributions.

We got off to a great 5-0 start but last weekend we lost to a very good Maryville team on the road. We beat Maryville two weeks earlier, but it's really tough to beat a good team twice.

I was very worried the other day when I found out that Claude Pardue almost had to perform an emergency procedure to remove Spiros Ferderigos's cell phone from his ear. Apparently Spiros was on the phone for 14 hours straight and the cell phone molded into his ear and was stuck.

Even though Claude is only a freshman, he is very old for his grade so his maturity and composure allowed him not to panic and he called Chase Fawcett to aid with the procedure. As a token of his gratitude, Spiros gave Claude two sticks of Big Red gum and he gave Chase a Gary Gaetti 1989 baseball card in average/above average condition.

Practice during the pre-season was tough, but we all understood that if we wanted to have a successful season, we would need to work hard every day in practice. At the end of each practice, we each shoot free throws to determine how much running we will have to do.

Gordon McKemie, who stands a towering 6'9", 138.3 lbs, had not had the best of luck at the free throw line until one glorious afternoon at the conclusion of practice. I remember it as vividly as the moment it happened.

Not only did Gordon accomplish his goal of hitting the rim on his free throws, but by some bizarre act of God, Gordon actually made two free throws. The team was stunned, crowds gathered to witness the spectacle.

Coach Zuver could not believe his eyes. He looked as though Lebron James had recently decided he was bored of the NBA and wanted to play for Emory.

Needless to say, after such an incident, practice was over. The rest of the team did not need to shoot its free throws and it was not going to run after practice.

That day will go down in history along with America receiving independence from England, the Red Sox beating the Yankees, and the humans defeating the aliens in the Will Smith classic, "Independence Day".

Robbie Wizenberg is a junior from Los Angeles. He would love to answer e-mail questions from Emory recruits and fans.