As the Citrus College men’s basketball team makes their march towards history, Citrus College sophomore Darren Moore will be updating the Fighting Owl faithful with the comings and goings of the team while they are in Stockton, CA. It’s an exclusive inside look at what the players are thinking and feeling as they continue their journey to a state title. Today's edition is one of many updates that will be posted throughout the weekend.
Part 1: On the Road
We are on the bus now on our way to Stockton, with tons of energy and excitement about playing for a state championship. I believe everyone is truly focused and ready for the challenge that lies ahead of us. We had a good practice today and throughout the week. 
Our red-shirts are doing a good job of impersonating what College of Sequoias is capable of doing. However, the coaches have done an even better job of getting us prepared for what we will see defensively.
These types of practices have been good for us all year and are a vital part of what we do. Our advantage over teams all year has been simply destroying everything that teams are capable of doing or even thinking of doing. This preparation should lead us into Stockton confident and ready for any challenges that we may face.
This year’s team has been absolutely amazing for all of us and everyone else involved with the Citrus family. We have worked extremely hard for a long amount of time; individually and as a team. It started in the summer, waking up at 5:00 AM for suicides or the 2 or 3 workouts in a day. Each person has put forward the effort to get better individually, which has paid off for our team. Since I’ve been here, I have seen everyone get better, including the red-shirts.
The main thing that everyone on our team possesses that other teams don’t, is confidence in each other and individually. We all know what we can do, when we can do it, and how to get the job done. I know that if I look to my left or right, I have somebody that is ready to go to battle and win. That’s the best part about this team in comparison to the many teams I’ve been apart of in the past.
With all these thoughts about the team, and the warriors that I’m surrounded with, the weekend comes down to us getting the job done. We set a goal at the beginning of year on our break away trip, and now we have a chance to go out and make that goal a reality. Until then, I’m going to knock out on the bus, Ill keep everyone tuned into our weekend as it progresses.
Part 2: Arrival in Stockton
Hello Citrus fans we are settled into our hotels now, with everybody getting ready to catch up on the rest that we need for tomorrow. It is 12:54 am approximately and everyone has been roomed with a teammate and should be getting their rest now. This hotel is ridiculous, and by far is the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in. I’ve stayed in many hotels, but never any with flat screens, huge rooms, and absolute silence. This is more than I expected; and is great, but our minds are extremely focused on the game and the assignments ahead of us.
Our schedule for tomorrow is semi-full, with breakfast, practice, and a dinner that is being held for all the teams. Personally, I need to get treatment throughout tomorrow so I can be at full strength on Friday. Everyone needs to get their rest also, which will be good for all of us as a team. As I look at the clock, it is getting late and I need to get some rest, I will continue to update you all tomorrow after practice.
-Darren Moore