November 2021 Candygrams

Thursday, November 11, 2021---Women of Troy 2021-2022 Basketball Opener vs Hawaii

Trojan Candy was at the home opener for the Women of Troy Basketball team against the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Women’s Basketball team.

Both teams warmed up.

The lineups were presented and the first point was scored.

The Trojan Dance Force performed.

During halftime, the USC Song Girls performed.

Then, USC twirler Emily Tutnick showed her artistic talent.

The Galen Center big screen showed “This or That.”

At the end of the third quarter, there was game action and the Trojan Dance Force performance too.

State Farm’s “Assist of the Game” was shown on the big screen.

After the game, Trojan Candy took two pictures of Women of Troy alumnae who came to the game.

My first picture was of three 2003-2004 USC teammates. Jamie Hagiya, who was a Freshman; Rometra Craig, who was a Senior who transferred from Duke; and Shay Murphy, who was also a Freshman in 2003, posed for me. Trojan Candy’s husband Jim interviewed both Jamie and Shay at Heritage Hall on November, 29, 2012. I had left volunteering at the desk to run an errand. It is always so nice to see good friends. Keep FIGHTING ON, Jamie, Rometra and Shay!

Trojan Candy’s second picture was of two more good friends. Brianna Barrett (3/25/2016) and Jordan Adams (3/24/2017). Brianna and Jordan were teammates starting as Freshman Women of Troy in the 2012-2013 season. Keep FIGHTING ON, Brianna and Jordan!

FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Basketball and Women of Troy Alumnae!

Tuesday, November 9, 2021---Elite Eight Rings and a Victory over CSUN Too!

Before the homeopening game of the 2021-2022 USC Men’s Basketball Season, our 2020-2021 team was awarded Elite Eight rings.

This is the commemorative banner that was unveiled in the Galen Center.

I took this video of the Elite Eight Ring ceremony. Congratulations to our 2020-2021 Men’s Basketball Team!

Next, our players were introduced.

During a break, the Women of Troy Basketball Team walked onto the court. New Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb invited everyone to attend the opening of the Women of Troy season on Thursday, November 11th.

During half time, the USC Song Girls and twirler Emily Tutnick performed.

On the big screen, the “This or that movie edition” featured some USC players. Then Boogie Highlights were shown.

Saturday, November 6, 2021---USC vs UCLA in Men’s Water Polo on Senior Day

Trojan Candy and my husband Jim arrived at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center early to get good seats on the south side of the stadium for our men's water polo match against the Bruins.

Our team did calisthenics poolside.

While Jim was waiting at our seats, Trojan Candy walked to the other side of the stadium to take close-up pictures of the Big Face posters of our Seniors.

Marko Karaman

Bennett Winther

Now, it was time for the Senior Celebration. Head Coach Marko Pintaric posed with every Senior and his family.

Marko Karaman and his mom Suzana were first. They posed with Coach Marko Pintaric.

Tom, Connie, and their son Matt Harrison with Coach Pintaric.

James Kolenda, from Sydney, Australia, with his arms around his adoptive American parents Brian and Joanne Slobodien (Sam “Slobo” is their son) and Coach Pintaric.

USC Water Polo alumnus Sam Slobodien joined his former teammate Nic Porter for the family picture with Coach Pintaric and Australian Nic’s adoptive American (and Sam's) parents Joanne and Brian Slobodien.

The last Senior was Croatian Jacob Mercep. From left to right were Brian Slobodien, Jacob, Coach Pintaric, adoptive American mother Joanne, and her son and Jacob’s former teammate Sam Slobodien.

CONGRATULATIONS and FIGHT ON, Marko, Matt, James, Bennett, Wyatt, Alexander, Nic and Jacob!

After taking the poolside pictures, Trojan Candy walked upstairs to my seat. Unfortunately, the stands were very crowded with UCLA students. It was hard for me to rejoin my husband Jim on the front row.

Now it was time to introduce the Water Polo players. As normally, I recorded a video of the player introductions, but this time it was impossible to hear the USC names being introduced because the UCLA students were yelling insults so loud, that the names were blurred out. In fact, the UCLA students yelled insults throughout the entire competition. How RUDE and UNSPORTSMANLIKE were the BRUIN FANS!

Trojan Candy was able to take either a picture or video of five USC goals.

Our first goal by Alexander Lansill was at 4:32 in the first quarter. That made the score USC 1 – UCLA 0.

My second goal was scored at 4:16 of the third quarter by Carson Kranz that tied the score at 4-4.

My third goal was a 5 meter penalty shot made by Hannes Daube in the third quarter at 2:04 to tie the score at 5–5.

My fourth goal by Carson Kranz in the fourth quarter at 6:10 made the score USC 7 – UCLA 6.