(Editor's note: Mississippi State sophomore LaToya Thomas, who led the SEC in scoring last season en route to landing a spot on the Kodak All-American team, will share a weekly diary with ESPN.com throughout the season.)

Nov. 26, 2000

	Thomas

The week is over and we just left New Mexico. The trip was fun and we did win the tournament. I was the MVP, and Cynthia was named to the all-tournament team, too. As a team, that was a great experience for us to go to New Mexico, plus we had a lot of fun just being around one another.

On Thursday, I talked to my family before we left. I would like to have eaten at home for Thanksgiving, but this year we had to go to New Mexico. This was my first Thanksgiving without my family and I really missed them and my aunt's cooking.

Our teammate, KiKi Westerfield, met us at the airport in Jackson, Miss., before we flew out Thursday morning. She had spent hours cooking us homemade macaroni and cheese, cornbread stuffing and chicken. That was so sweet for her to do that.

Since we traveled and had practice when we got out there, we ended up eating at a cafeteria late that night and I didn't even eat turkey. I did get fried chicken, mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese, though.

On Friday, we played a talented Cal State-Northridge, and won 75-61. And with me being in foul trouble, Keisha "Pookie" Stringfellow and Jessica "Freckles" Carter both had tremendous games for us. After defeating Cal State, we then defeated the Lobos of New Mexico. The score of that great game was 66-59. Overall, the trip was fun and we came home with the two victories.

Last week, I told you some of my family members were coming to the game and I did get a chance to see them Friday and Saturday. I was so excited to walk out there and see my family cheering loudly in the stands. I only get to see them maybe three times a year. I saw my little nieces, my sister, my aunt, her husband and my cousin.

Well, you know how "Pookie" and I always play spades against Cynthia "Ruthie" Hall and Courtney "Cornbread" Graham, and you know the outcome: we beat them again in the airport. I am not going to talk about how bad me and "Pookie" beat them, but you can bet it was pretty bad. I think those two need to retire from playing cards period, but what I'm really trying to say is we need more competition.

Last night, I talked to my best friend Ebony Felder, who is from Jackson, Miss., and plays for Georgia. She dislocated both her shoulders and is having surgery on Dec. 12th. I hope everything goes well and she gets her strength back. I'm keeping her in my prayers.

I'm so happy to be coming back to my own bed. I was just ready to come back to Mississippi. It seems like we've been gone for about two weeks. We're not used to being gone for long periods of time since we only do it a couple times a year.

Now, we just need to start looking ahead to Southern University on Tuesday and then to Georgia Tech on Sunday. I am glad to be playing at home just to have our fans. I know they are excited to come watch us as well.

I'm out.

"Tido"