COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Hi! This is Michela Jones '25 and I am on the women's basketball team at Haverford. I just returned home from working the USA U19 Basketball Trials in Colorado Springs, Colorado as one of four members of the support staff. Here's what a typical day of practice looked like during the trials: 

First, as support staff, we woke up about a couple hours before practice started and got the gym set up. This included rolling out the balls, filling up the water/gatorade containers, and setting up the shot and game clock for practice. Once practice began, we assisted the coaches: Joni Taylor (Texas A&M), Delisha Milton-Jones (Old-Dominion), Niele Ivey (Notre Dame), Teri Moren (Indiana), and Jennie Baranczyk (Oklahoma) with setting up and executing drills. 

Each practice ended with a few 10 minute games. The games were super competitive and fun to watch. I was given the opportunity to take stats for each of the scrimmages. Practices occurred for three days, and two times per day before the full team was selected.

After practice, we cleaned up the gym and headed to the dining hall for a meal with the other staff members. Soon after our meals, the four of us headed up to do laundry for the athletes. After all laundry was returned and all athletes were accounted for we were free to relax in our rooms. 

Overall, it was an amazing experience with USA Basketball. I made connections with people in the sports industry, watched many talented athletes compete, and received tons of cool gear!