Maryland Team Banquet

The annual Maryland Women's Basketball Team Banquet was held this afternoon, and the BasketCases were among the very lucky fans to attend. We even had our own table!

Are these kids precious or what? Eight weeks old today, twins Tyler (on the left) and Markus (on the right) made their official public debut. As much interest as the Terps themselves generated, these two little cuties were probably the most photographed people in the room. And talk about well-behaved! The banquet went on for three hours, and there was not a peep out of the little guys.

The proud parents and the twins.


Every Maryland banquet has a silent auction, and this was no different. The photo on the left signed by the members of the USA Basketball Senior National Team and the Terps was one of the most popular items, and went for a hefty sum.


ESPN broadcaster and Maryland grad Pam Ward served as the Master of Ceremonies. In her remarks about the senior class, she spoke about how heavily recruited Crystal Langhorne and Laura Harper had been by the traditional basketball powerhouses, and how, to our great good fortune, they both chose "the road less traveled."


Speaking of Crystal, apart from her almost too-numerous-to mention on-the-court accomplishments that Coach B recounted, she also described Crystal as a young woman of style and grace, the team Diva. When Lang joins the Mystics, she'll find self-appointed Divas Nikki Blue and Tamara James, but our money is on Lang to take the Diva title!


Coach B said that with Lang's graduation, Marah "Big Strick" Strickland will take over the Diva role. She certainly looked the part today.


Kristi Toliver and mom Peggy and sister Carli.


Sa'de told us that she is really looking forward to playing next season after a year of rehab. And we are certainly looking forward to seeing her on the court again.

Jade Perry's mom, Gwen, and Emery Wallace's dad.


In a room full of incredibly stylish and well-dressed young women, perhaps the most talked-about attire was Marissa Coleman's skirt. The folks at our table insisted that we post a picture, and so we have. When Marissa entered the room, there was much speculation about whether -- and how -- she would be able to sit down. Not to mention what her mother would think. Well, when we spoke to Mom Joni, her reply was "Wait till her father sees her!"

At last year's banquet, longtime Maryland fan Daphne started a tradition. She got Shay Doron, who had just been drafted by the New York Liberty, to autograph a WNBA ball. Daphne brought that very same ball today, and secured the autographs of the lastest Terps to join the pro ranks. First Harp . . .

. . . and then Lang.

Jade Perry has always been one of the Terps' most popular (and valued) players. We will really miss her!

Seniors Christie Marrone and Ashleigh Newman laughing about whether Marissa can sit down.

Maryland Athletic Director Debbie Yow visits the twins and does a little early recruiting for the men's basketball team. (And Marissa obviously was able to sit down.)

Rebounders Secretary Sharma Wright presents Coach B and Mark with $1,000 savings bonds for each of the twins, gifts from the Rebounders. Although the gifts had been in the works for months, with a solicitation for contributions right on the Rebounders web site AND on a very large poster prominently displayed at one of the socials with the team and coaches, Coach B was totally surprised today. (And if anyone from the NCAA is reading this, don't worry; as Sharma explained, the Rebounders were very careful to handle this without violating any of the NCAA rules.)

Marissa and her mom were totally taken with the twins. In fact, while Marissa's teammates were getting awards today for "Most Assists," "Most Blocks," "Best Free Throw Percentage" and the like, Coach B gave Marissa the "Best Diaperer Award."

Coach B and Mark learn that Marissa and Joni Coleman will not give them back the babies, which Drey Mingo finds very amusing!

As at every banquet, this one ended with a video tribute to the team and, in particular, to the extraordinary senior class, the winningest class in Maryland history. As Coach B said, only four teams during the college careers of these seniors won an NCAA Championship, and Maryland was one of them. That's an incredible accomplishment, and to say that these players will be missed is an understatement. Needless to say, there weren't too many dry eyes in the house by the end of the afternoon.

And this is where we'll see Lang and Harp. . . as the next chapter of their story is written.

Photo Credits: DC BasketCases