T.J. Morrison reports from abroad

by Dunn Area Sports Staff | Jun 19, 2019 | Articles, Triton

Triton coach T.J. Morrison was selected from a national pool to direct a USA team in an international tournament in Austria.

(UPDATED on Friday, June 21) Triton varsity boys basketball coach T.J. Morrison traveled to Venice, Italy, earlier this week and will be sending updates on his trip abroad for Dunn Area Sports. He will be coaching in the United World Games.

Morrison reported on Tuesday after flying from New York on Monday:

“Long day,” said the Hawks coach. “Frankfurt by 6 a.m. Left by 8:30. Venice by 10.

“Bussed to a boat. Boat to St. Marks Square area. We visited the old Murano Glass Factory and watched a demonstration. We had some free time there to eat and shop. Then we met at 3 (p.m.), formed groups of six to take Gondola rides around the floating city. (Venice has canals rather than streets and travel is by boats rather than cars)

“I was amazed at how there were so many, in tight quarters, and their oars/long paddles never so much as touched another. Then we took a boat to our bus, bussed to the hotel and finally checked in. Here we had pizza and gelato delivered.

“Much of the day was spent meeting the players, other coaches, and some parents. In all, six teams (one girls). People in the group total about 100, from all over — California, Montana, Nebraska, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kansas, and of course, North Carolina.”

Wednesday

Morrison started the day with some strong coffee.

“Today we ate breakfast at the hotel, the highlight of which were the two shots of expresso,” Morrison said. “At first, I wanted a full cup. Then a sip of the strong wake-up juice made me understand why you get a ‘shot’ of it as a serving.”

Morrison traveled by bus from Venice into Austria.

“We went through the countryside, into Austria and the mountains, three and a half hours,” Morrison said. “We were on our own for lunch.

“My team was scheduled to play 3-on-3 games in the city center, outside, just two blocks from the hotel. I had to split them into two teams — one had four players, the other had five.

“They were to play three times in a pool, then advance to bracket play. Each team lost their first game, then won a second. It was so quick and hurried, we were not sure where the other teams were from. They played 8-minute games. The tournament was cut short due to a storm. The court was a temporary sport court laid down and would have been unplayable and slick.

“We bussed to the gym/stadium where the other teams were practicing. It did rain pretty heavily for a few minutes. We got there, Klagenfurt Stadium, a beautiful soccer stadium with no team that calls it home. It has other courts and fields as well.

“We decided to walk through a few things on an open volleyball court: a 4-out, 1-in motion offense, an inbounds play, and a couple of zone sets just in case. After the others finished, we scrimmaged half-court with some of the 19-u team. So far I like what I’ve seen from a few kids, Charles Schroeder is a 6’5 lefty in the post. His mother played at Syracuse. I’m not sure of her first or maiden name yet. Aljay Pipkins is a good little guard from Michigan.”

After the opening ceremonies for the United World Games and some 3-on-3 competition, Morrison sat down for supper.

“Last, they gave us a welcome dinner at the stadium, local Carnithian/Klagenfurt, Austrian fare: rice, potatoes, and several types of dumpling/ravioli dishes,” Morrison said.

Thursday

“Breakfast at the hotel,” Morrison said.

The Triton coach then conducted a practice session.

“We spent 45 minutes — reviewed the offense from Wednesday, added secondary break, put in a little back door quick hitter,” Morrison said. “We played some live half-court. I had to jump in since we have nine guys.”

Morrison is coaching a 16-and-under team.

“Then we scrimmaged one of our 19-u teams for about 30 minutes,” Morrison said. “We were shell-shocked going live full court at first. Then we settled down.

“We had lunch at the stadium. Free time in the city. I walked about a mile to two outdoor courts we could play on. Some of my guys played pick up on a local court with kids from Serbia.”

An Austrian newspaper states ‘Athletes have taken over the city.’

Friday

Morrison’s team won its first game, 65-16, over YK Pao-Songjiang of China.

“We were up 8-6 then our defense and pressure overwhelmed them, man-to-man,” Morrison said. “We won our second game, 88-17, over SV Polling (Germany).”