Holiday break a short one for in-season sports teams like Nicholls women’s basketball

For most college students in the month of December, it’s a matter of taking that final exam of the semester and then heading home for the holidays for a month or so.

Such is not the case if you are a student-athlete, and your sport is in-season.

While classmates were eager to leave for home both near and far, the Nicholls women’s basketball team was toiling away at practice for its final game of the 2023 calendar year against Grambling.

With the final game of 2023 on December 20 and the first contest of the new year on January 4, the holiday break is a short one for the Lady Colonels.

“I’m very lucky to have my family close by,” said senior Traya Bruce of Cut Off. “They’ve always been a huge support system for me, somebody to lean on. They came to all my games. It’s nice to have them where I can literally just go home for a day and come back and visit.”

For others, the journey is a bit farther away.

“I’m actually gonna leave straight from the Grambling game with my family,” said sophomore Lexi Alexander, who is from the Houston area. “Honestly, it makes the trip home even sweeter, seeing my family, seeing everyone back.

“Even though we get less days, it’s still worth it. I enjoy the process here too as well because we’re doing the things we love. It’s not like we’re doing anything we don’t want to do. We’re here doing the things we love and enjoying the process that it is.”

The journey home for Kyla Hamilton is not too far with home being in the Lake Charles area. The senior guard does have empathy for teammates who are unable to go home for the holidays.

“It’s kind of hard just cause like some people don’t get to go home and see their families as much, but at the same time, I think we have a really good family environment. So we stay together, we hang out together and we make it like a home here. So overall, it’s hard for some people that are farther than others, but overall we make sure it’s a family atmosphere,” Hamilton said.

One such player is red-shirt junior guard Amelia Sandie, who is from England.

“I haven’t been home for Christmas since I came here and like, especially for international athletes, people like me who are a lot further away…I love Christmas, but it’s also the worst time because everyone’s going home to their family. Everyone’s so excited and like, ‘this person’s coming and this person.’ I still love it, but it’s still kind of bittersweet,” said Sandie.

Another person unable to make it home is freshman guard Betzalys Delgado, who is from Puerto Rico.

“What she tries to do is like even though even though she cannot go to her country, she tries to go back to some friends’ house or something like that, so she doesn’t feel alone during the holidays or the special seasons. And she also practices a lot and plays basketball because it’s her duty right here,” said her teammate, Mirypaz Martinez, who serves as Delgado’s translator.

Martinez, a freshman from Costa Rica, is out of action recovering from ankle surgery.

“I was really lucky. I talked to the coaches and they were OK with it, so for a week I’m gonna go back to my country because for my parents it was really hard. For me to get surgery right here and I was like all alone just with my teammates, they were really special with me and everything, but I was far from (her parents). So, I’m really lucky to go back and meet with them,” said Martinez.

The short break will allow members of the Lady Colonels to get away from basketball for a few days should they decide to do so.

“Usually, we have about four to seven days off depending on how much they give us and when we play,” said Hamilton. “My break usually looks like I’ll go home, those first few days I’ll make sure I spend it with family. I’ll start getting in the gym and start putting up shots and then making sure I’m staying in condition. On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, I spend it with all my grandparents and my family. Those few days after I get back in the gym and then just get ready to come back to school to play.”

“The first thing I do usually when I go home, I definitely spend a few days with my family. I think it’s very important,” said Bruce. “We have a family system here, so we’re always there for each other. We see each other every day, too. But when we go home, we take that time to mentally recoup with our families and siblings, parents, and I think it’s still important to still work out those few days just because when we come back, it’s crunch time, it’s conference time.”

“Me and my ex-teammates, we all go play,” said Hamilton, referring to former high school teammates. “I try to work out every day with my family just because I know how quickly you can lose that in-shape feeling – your touch – and we don’t have time to lose that with what we’re trying to do here. All of us individually have to go home and keep working.”

Sandie, who is in the final stages of her return from a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament, plans a different sort of routine.

“Because I’m hurt, I will be working out over the break at least doing my rehab stuff, just to keep my knee mobile, maintaining my strength,” said Sandie.

“The basketball piece, I’m going to be honest. Yes, I’ll try and get some shots up,” she continued. “But Christmas Eve, Christmas Day I won’t touch the ball. I’m just Amelia. I’m calling my friends and family. We’re talking about honestly, anything but (basketball), just because you need to be able to have that escape sometimes. Basketball is a lot of us, but it is not all of us. That’s what I always remind myself.”

Along with some time off, members of the team also are going over their wish list from Santa.

“Hopefully, some shoes. I love shoes. I’ve been waiting for some,” said Hamilton.

Not necessarily basketball shoes?

“Oh, I could get some more basketball shoes, but I like the ones I have right now, too,” Hamilton said.

Bruce also wants new shoes, although her letter to Santa contained more specifics.

“I’m hoping for some new shoes, maybe. I want some Nike low Dunks,” said Bruce.

But no shoes for Alexander.

“Hopefully, a pink iPad,” said Alexander as a wide, child-like grin spreads across her face.

For the international players, the mood is more somber.

“She said every year, her dad and her mother try to give her something special, but at the end, what matters is they are healthy and they’re with her,” said Delgado, through Martinez.

Martinez said she already has received her Christmas gift.

“Honestly, I think the best gift I could have gotten from Santa is the ticket to go back to my country, so I’m really grateful for it,” Martinez said.

For Sadie, the player the farthest from home, she is getting both an early and belated Christmas gift.

The early gift was word that she is allowed to go full-out in practice and should be able to see game action during Southland Conference play.

What about the belated gift?

“My mom is actually going to come visit me on (December) 28. So, if Santa can just steer that sleigh, that plane journey, so if she can get here safe, I’m really looking forward to seeing my mom.”