Additional Quotes >> USA 80 Belgium 50

Jill Rankin Schneider (USA head coach, Monterey H.S., Texas)
On the game:
I was pleased with our effort. It wasn't a surprise that Belgium came out and played hard, and they played well. Throughout the first half and into the third quarter, we just kept needing some little spark that would give us some energy, and Linnae Harper in particular came out in the third quarter and really dominated things defensively and helped us create some opportunities that we were able to build on. We won by 30 points, but it felt like it was a struggle.

On the third quarter:
They cut it to eight in the third quarter, and we were struggling to find our rhythm. Linnae got a couple of turnovers, a couple of rebounds, a big three-point play off of an offensive rebound. She had a big third quarter and helped us find some momentum. Other players fed off of that, and from that point on we were a totally different team with our effort and our execution.

On the USA's depth:
You don't ever really now which of the 12 players will be the one to step up and have a big game. They are all talented enough to provide that. I though Oderah Chidom played well, too, and really gave us an inside game when we were struggling a little bit to establish ourselves. Lots of times, I just try to keep a rotation going until that person emerges.

Kaela Davis (Buford H.S./Suwanee, Ga.)
On the game:
We were ready for a good game, and we know we are going to get everyone's best. We did get out to a slow start, but they are a skilled team. I think we just have to come out with the mindset that we are going to get everyone's best game, and we need to play like it.

On the 7-0 run to close the first quarter:
After we got down a little bit, we turned it around and got into gear. It's never good to have to fight back from a deficit, but that's something we can address as a team and get better at.

On the third quarter:
Coach called a time out and said we looked like we were on our heels. We didn't really have a reason to be, we were still up and playing OK, but Belgium never gave up. You have to give them credit for that.

Diamond DeShields (Norcross H.S./Norcross, Ga.)
On the game:
It was another slow start, which is not very pleasing. But overall, we ended up pulling it together. Linnae Harper was the star of the game, especially in the second half. She gave us the momentum to extend the lead and finally put the game out of reach.

On Belgium:
Everyone is going to give us their best effort, and no team has rolled over for us once. I knew Belgium was a pretty good team, so we weren't surprised they played well at all.

On the USA's fourth quarter:
At some point you get tired of having to get out of a dogfight with a team. Granted, you might look at the score and think it was an easy win, but it really wasn't. At halftime, coach talked about our lack of energy and said we didn't look like we were playing with any passion. So, we took that personally and made some changes.

Rebecca Greenwell (Owensboro Catholic H.S./Owensboro, KY.)
On the game:
They got off to a good start, but I though we overcame it well. We had some leaders step up, like Linnae, and we just feed off of her energy.

On Belgium's third quarter:
We knew they weren't going to give up, and they had a great crowd behind them. We figured they were going to play hard the entire game.

Linnae Harper (Whitney Young H.S./Chicago, Ill.)
On her third quarter effort:
I think we just found some intensity. The first half we were lackadaisical, but I think the second half we picked it up, hustled and did the little things. Up to that point, they had outrebounded us and got every loose ball. So, I think we tried to something different. In the third quarter, I just tried to bring a spark and do what the team wasn't doing, and that helped us expand our lead.

On Belgium:
They are one of more challenging teams we've played. They are really physical, and we had trouble trying to get the ball to the post. But as the game progressed, we got better and better.

On the USA's fourth quarter:
I think we were just trying to add the finishing touches. In the third quarter we got it going and then in the fourth quarter we played well, didn't turn the ball over and finished our shots.

Jessica Washington (Jenks H.S./Tulsa, Okla.)
On getting back on the court after missing two games due to a groin strain:
It felt great to finally play again.

On the game:
At first, it was a close game, and we were just giving up too much, but as the game went along, we started stretching out the lead, especially in the third quarter. Players stepped up and we got better.

Did the team get nervous when Belgium cut it to eight points in the third quarter?
Honestly, I never get nervous because I know that we are going to do whatever it takes to get the win. I have a lot of confidence in my teammates and this team.

On the USA's fourth quarter:
After Linnae stepped up, we all just fed off of her. It only takes one player to get us some momentum.