Galesburg, IL - The Knox College Prairie Fire basketball teams enjoyed new experiences together, on and off the court, as their seasons continued over winter break.
The women's team traveled to Florida to play in the Daytona Beach Shootout on December 19 and 21 while the men's squad took part in the Rhodes College Christmas Invitational in Memphis, Tennessee on December 21 and 22.
Prairie Fire men's basketball coach Kevin Walden said the trip provided a good opportunity for the team to leave campus and come together.
"It was a long break. We had a lot of weeks we were here by ourselves with nobody on campus. We were able to get away and experience some different things, practice in different places, play some different opponents, do some neat things, and build our team."
Walden, who played basketball at Knox before graduating in 2001, and was also an assistant basketball coach, said he remembers going to Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Florida.
“The main thing when you go on one of these trips is to make it an impactful event for your student-athletes.”
Walden said that involves doing different things with the players so they remember their trip and how it was a positive impact on their lives.
The team saw the National Basketball Association’s Memphis Grizzlies play a game, visited and toured St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and went to historic Beal Street.
Senior Lukas Shaw said it was good for the team to spend a lot of time together.
“I really enjoyed the time with my teammates to get to know each other a little better so we can move forward and try our best to be on the same page.”
Shaw said the highlight for him off the court was getting to see the Grizzlies play.
Senior Tyler Olson enjoyed the Memphis experience. He said going to St. Jude had a big impact on the team. “We have several things on campus that benefit St. Jude so it was neat to go there.”
Olson also had a good time at the Grizzlies game and putting the basketball down to go sight-seeing.
“We got to go downtown and check out Beal Street and see a lot of cool places there and eat some good local barbeque. It was a good time to get away from the sport for a while and grow together as a team.”
Coach Emily Cline, in her fifth season leading the Prairie Fire women’s basketball team, believes the trips are important for a couple of reasons.
“To get the kids an experience, something out of the ordinary that they may not get to do on their own. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for some of them. And then the team bonding and memories.”
The women’s team went to Disney World and took advantage of the nice weather by going to the beach.
“Bonding on and off the court, going to Disney World and hanging out off the court, helped us loosen up around each other,” said senior Kristin McDonald. “That definitely shifts over to the basketball court because you’re more comfortable with your teammates and have more chemistry with them.”
The Prairie Fire women’s team enjoyed two big wins in Daytona Beach, 73-54 over Fontbonne University and 106-68 against Presentation College.
Senior Sara Johnson said her favorite part of the trip was the stir created by Knox’s all-out up-tempo style of play.
“Some of the men’s teams that were there would stay and watch us. You could hear them cheering. They were so thrown off by how we played.”
Olson said the trip to Memphis enhanced his experience at Knox.
“The best thing about Knox and the biggest reason I came here is the people. I met with my teammates my first year and that really solidified that it’s a good place for me. Things like this (trip) make it worth it to come to (Knox) and be with a bunch of great guys and great coaches. That’s a good example of what Knox is all about.”
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