Semoball

Three Rivers sends off Raiders with celebration

The Three Rivers women's basketball team stands in front of its bus during a sendoff celebration Friday, April 16, 2021, at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, Mo.
DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Scott Borkgren

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. - After a hectic week of preparations, the Raiders got their sendoff celebration and relaxed in luxury on the way to Lubbock, Texas.

“I thought it was great to see so many of the kids’ parents there, and so many of the faculty and staff there. It’s great for the girls to see how much the community and school support them,” Three Rivers coach Alex Wiggs said.

With Three Rivers baseball and softball teams also on the road and basketball being gone for as many as 10 days, the college chartered a bus complete with six TVs and USB ports in every seat.

Several dozen people, including family, friends and school staff, met in the Bess Activity Center parking lot Friday morning, many of them wearing team colors, to celebrate the team before it left.

Preparations for the tournament started in earnest Sunday.

“What is today? Friday? It’s been a busy week since we won on Saturday, just trying to get everything ready,” Wiggs said. “This is really the first all week that I’ve been able to relax.”

After learning the Raiders would be the No. 9 seed and face Eastern Oklahoma State at noon Monday, Wiggs was scouting his upcoming opponent, getting travel and tournament advice from athletic director and men’s basketball coach Brian Bess, and going over travel logistics all at the same time.

Everyone traveling with the team had to get a COVID-19 test, so there was that to schedule. There was team-related content to send to the NJCAA, as well. Then packing, practice, and more scouting.

The Raiders also had class. If teachers wanted content turned in before they left, then they had to do that. They were to bring books with them to Texas, because again, hopefully, they’ll be gone for 10 days.

On top of practice and finally having a break between games following a grueling schedule that sometimes included four games in eight days, the Raiders needed to get their bodies prepared for four games in six days.

“We’ve taken an ice bath this week. Usually, we take it the night before a game,” Wiggs said. “They’ve been over to see (team trainer) Jeff Dawes at the park and get treatment all week.

“It’s been hectic on my end, but it’s been hectic on their end as well, making sure they get packed, get classes all caught up, get all their work done, and at the same time, enjoy what you’ve accomplished but also prepare for what’s next.”

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