Additional Quotes >> USA 86, Spain 57

July 23, 2010 • Toulouse, France

Barbara Nelson
(USA and Wingate University head coach)
On tonight's game:
We played Spain two weeks ago, and we struggled with their pressure defense. They took the ball from us a lot, and we really struggled defending their shooters. They got open anytime they wanted to. So, our focus for this game was really to defend their 3-point shooters as well as we possibly could and take care of the basketball so that we didn't have as many turnovers against their pressure. We knew this would be really a hard game because of their defense and quickness, so we had to concentrate and focus very hard on not turning the ball over.

We are excited to be advancing to the next round, and I believe we play China, so we are excited to get to work against China.

What was the difference in the second quarter when the USA started to really pull away?
I think our bench play was really important tonight. Jewell came in and knocked down a bunch of shots and picked up the tempo. Ariel was playing a little slower today than she had been playing, and Jewell came in and ignited us, and Cierra Burdick came in and ignited us and allowed Kaleena to get open and hit shots. So, I think once again our depth was really, really important to allowing us to make a little gap in the first quarter and then widen it in the second quarter when the kids could come in fresh.

After so many big wins, are you afraid the players might lose focus?
All of our players play on very high-level high school and AAU club teams, and so they are used to starting and playing a lot, and here they are battling each other to get playing time and opportunities to play. So, I think they cherish every minute they get to play, and they give it their best.

Jordan Adams
(Mater Dei H.S./Irvine, CA)
What was the difference in the second quarter when the USA started to really pull away?
I think we got a lot of rebounds, we caused them to have a lot of turnovers and we picked up our pace. We knew Spain was good. When we played them back in Spain, we didn't play our best. We got better, and we knew we had to expect that they got better as well. They came out and came at us with everything they had, and we responded really well, especially in the second quarter.

Is defense now a strength for this team?
Getting through screens has been really tough for us. Teams are running us off two and three picks at a time, but our communication and help defense has really improved. We have really picked up our defense.

What do you know about China?
I actually haven't seen China, but we know they are good. It will be really exciting to face them in the semifinals.

What do you think the most important factor is for this team in the semifinals?
I think we need to stay with what we have been doing and follow the game-plan. We have a common goal, which is the gold medal, and we will do whatever we need to do to get there.

Bashaara Graves
(Clarksville H.S./Clarksville, TN)
On tonight's game:
I think we played great tonight. We came out and worked hard, and we got a win. Our game plan was to stop their shooting, and I think we did that. Their shooting percentage was not good as it had been.

Do you think China's bigs might be able to slow this team down?
I don't they will be able to slow us down. We are a good team together, and we have worked really hard. We aren't going to let anything stop us from getting that gold medal.

Is this team starting to click at just the right time?
Our chemistry on the court has to do with our time off the court, and we are getting along even better off the court than we were before.

What are your thoughts on reaching the semifinals?
I'm excited. We're in the semifinals, and we are going to get to the finals and we are going to win that gold medal. That is what we have been working for.

Kaleena Lewis
(Mater Dei H.S./Anaheim, CA)
On tonight's game:
It was really a team effort today. We were trying to go inside to the bigs again because we knew we had a height advantage against Spain. At the same time, coach kept telling us that if we move the ball our guards are also quicker and smart, and if we pushed we would be able to handle their press and their pressure, and that's what we did today. Ariel handled the ball really well, Jewell Loyd handled the ball really well and we took care of the ball and limited our turnovers. We took advantage of all of our possessions.

Jewell Loyd
(Niles West H.S./Lincolnwood, IL).
On tonight's game:
We came ready for this game. We knew what we had to do, and we were all focused. We knew our assignments, and we just brought it. It was game time for us.

Bria Smith
(Christ the King H.S./Massapequa, NY)
On the USA handling Spain's pressure:
We were focused on our game-plan to not let their pressure get to us and to push the ball and look into our posts, and I think that really showed tonight.

Is this team starting to click at just the right time?
I think our ball movement is helping us a lot, and us just being around each other so much is really helping. I think we are getting the ball to the right people at the right times.

Is defense now a strength for this team?
I think the coaches have stressed defense, and now that we are focused on that, our offense is coming easier.

What was the difference in the second quarter when the USA started to really pull away?
We just focused on pushing the lead and continuing to play instead of relaxing after we got a lead. That really helped us put the game away.

What do you know about China?
We watched one game, so we know that they are fast. They have quick guards, and they have a couple bigs. I'm just excited; it will be a great game.