USA U16 Women Arrive In Mexico, Scrimmage Host Country

Merida, Mexico • June 12, 2011

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The 2011 USA Women's U16 National Team arrived in Merida, Mexico, late on June 11, and after a night of rest, wasted no time readying for the start of the 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship. The USA conducted a walk-through outside the hotel the next morning, before scrimmaging host Mexico in the evening.

Hear from USA head coach Jill Rankin Schneider, as well as several USA players, on their travel day and their readiness for the 2011 zone qualifier. The 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship opens for the USA on June 13 against Brazil at 6:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. EDT), and don't forget you can catch all of the action via live streaming online from www.fibaamericas.com.

Jill Rankin Schneider, USA head coach
What were your thoughts after tonight's scrimmage?
I thought we started out very, very strong, and I thought we finished very strong. We had some lapses in the middle. I think some of that can be attributed to the fact that we got out to a big lead, a quick lead, and we just got a little careless running our offense. But all in all, I was pretty pleased with our effort. I think we are going to have to be able to execute much better as we go through the tournament. Hopefully this will give us a little confidence and get our feet wet. It was good to do this tonight, because I think it gets us into the flow.

How did you think the team handled the travel day?
I was a little concerned with that, but I thought we started out very strong today. I was wondering how the heat and humidity would affect them as well. I think that's where our depth will be a big factor for us. We have such great depth that I didn't notice and fatigue out there.

Is this team where you'd like them to be?
I don't think so yet, because we are not as good defensively as I'd like to be and we really haven't been forced to execute offensively the way that we need to. I think it's going to be really interesting tomorrow to see how we execute against Brazil. We are going to have to be much smarter with our offense and a lot stronger with our half court defense.

Jordin Canada
How did if feel to play in the scrimmage today on the competition court?
At first it was a little nerve wracking. Once you see how it really feels to play in a different country, you realize how much it means.

How did you think the team handled the travel day?
It was really long and tiring. We traveled all day, and we were all really tired. But, we responded really well. It is nice to be here. The hotel is really nice, and we got a chance to meet some of the other teams.

Sydney Umeri
How did you think the team handled the travel day?
I've had traveled days, but not exactly like that. I haven't had a 12-hour travel day, so it was a little hard to turn around and play. But you are playing with USA Basketball, and you get to play in a foreign country, so you just kind of get over it.

How did if feel to play in the scrimmage today on the competition court?
I think as a team we did really, really well. It was interesting because it hit most of us that we are finally playing USA Basketball. We've been practicing for such a long time, I think we almost lost focus about what we are about to do. But now, it's a pretty amazing feeling to know the tournament starts tomorrow.

Jatarie White
How did you think the team handled the travel day?
It was really exhausting. It was a stop and wait kind of day, and then we went on to our next thing and then we had to stop and wait some more. We did a lot of traveling, and we had to be patient and cooperate with each other.

How did if feel to play in the scrimmage today on the competition court?
It felt good. At the beginning I wasn't used to how hot it was and the type of gym we were playing in. Then is started raining and it cooled off. I think we are prepared and ready to play. I'm very excited. I don't know what to expect from all of the teams, so we will just take it one game at a time I guess.