NIU women’s basketball player Yconda “E.C.” Hill is taking a break.

Hill, who has just returned from fast-breaking her way through Los Angeles, where she won a silver medal, and Mexico will be relaxing for some time in preparation for the upcoming season at NIU.

Hill participated on the North Team at the U.S. Olympic Festival in Los Angeles (July 13-17) and just returned from a brief stint in Mexico.

At the U.S. Olympic Festival, Hill made an early impression on some of the finest players in the nation as she averaged just under 10 points a game, including a series high of 18 points against the West team in the semi-finals.

“This was my first game since high school and I was very tense in the first game,” Hill said. “The competition level was really hard. I need to be in shape for the (upcoming) season.

Hill was named to the all-tournament squad and was one of 12 players selected to compete in the 1991 USA Women’s Junior National Team.

Quite an acheivement, considering the fact that Hill had never faced college competition before.

“It was a lot of hard work, but it was also a lot of fun. We practiced twice a day and played four games. It was hard because the competition is a lot different (from high school),” Hill added.

Hill’s team advanced to the Gold Medal game against the South Team coached by NIU head coach Jane Albright.

Albright’s South Team won the gold with an 82-77 overtime victory.

“I’m happy that I got a (silver) medal,” Hill said. “Coach Albright and I talked about how one of us was going home with the (gold) medal.”

For Hill, the last two weeks were the culmination of hard work and patience. Hill sat out last season due to Proposition 48.

“Last year was hard (sitting out), but now I’m going to go out and play to the best of my ability,” Hill said. “After resting from both trips I need to get ready for conditioning because Coach Albright is going to run us hard.”

I’m happy that I got a (silver) medal. Coach Albright and I talked about how one of us was going home with the (gold) medal.”