Additional Quotes >> USA 75, Spain 62
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Jill Rankin Schneider (USA head coach, Monterey H.S., Texas)
On the game:
When we came out as well as we did, I was just so proud of them because I really felt like they were ready. They were focused and brought a lot of energy. It didn't hurt that Spain shot the ball pretty poorly early, because it helped us establish some momentum that carried us through the rest of the ball game.
I have to say, Lindsay Allen stepped up in a huge way for us. She has not been a player that has scored many points for us all summer, and tonight in the fourth quarter she stepped up in a big way. That's how this team has been, we've just always had somebody step up and play big for us.When we made that run in the fourth quarter, and I think she had eight consecutive points, I felt very comfortable that we had things in hand.
On Spain:
They are a really good basketball team, and any time two teams go head to head, it's going to be a game of runs. They've got that capability. We didn't help ourselves with a series of turnovers. We really had a flurry of them in the second quarter. That hurt us, because they were shooting the ball better at that point, and they were able to make a run of their own. When we were able to minimize our turnovers, we were able to build a lead. It was always in those times when we'd have a few turnovers that they were able to make a run. I'm just proud, because I feel like we had one more run than they did.
On the team:
They really played well at times. I would have like a little more consistency, but when you are in a tournament like this and you play as many games as they did, I'm not sure that's realistic. I'm just proud that they were able to win the gold medal for themselves because they've worked hard and they deserve it. They've been a great group to work with.
On winning a gold medal:
I just feel so lucky to have been a part of this and to have had this experience over the past two years. To be a part of a World Championship with these players, because this is the ultimate at their age level.
What does this mean for you personally?
I was so stressed before this game. I didn't want to be the only USA women's team not to get a gold medal this summer.
From a coaching persepective, this is the ultimate. The experience that this has been will go down in my career as being the ultimate basketball experience that I could have ever hoped for as a coach.
Our coaching staff, we get along so well it has been like a little family unit. We had our own little huddle in the dressing room after the team took the court, and we are close. We've become friends. This has been a really special time for us, getting to know each other and the team. Young people don't mind forming attachments, and they've just been a pleasure to work with.
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Gail Hook (USA assistant coach, Monarch H.S., Colo.)
On winning a gold medal:
It's a really great feeling. I'm really proud of what we did to get here. I'm really proud of some of the things we had to overcome. It's really an awesome feeling. I've enjoyed my experience, and I've really enjoyed Jill and Letitia and everybody involved.
What does it mean for you personally?
To be able to have the opportunity to coach for USA Basketball, I'm sure is something that every coach would like to have. And for me to have this opportunity toward the end of my career as a coach has just really been icing on the cake.
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Letitia Hughley (USA assistant coach, Mott C.C., Mich.)
On winning a gold medal:
It feels really good. They worked so hard all summer long. They gave up their summer, they dedicated their time to USA Basketbal,l and it's a great win for us.
What does it mean for you personally?
This is my Olympics, and it feels really good to be a part of this. I really enjoyed it. The girls played well, and they played hard and they really deserve it.
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On today's game against Spain:
It was a really well-played game on our part. We got up early on them and played with great intensity in the first quarter. We kind of let them back in, but we pulled it back together and we got a great win.
On the 3-pointers in the fourth quarter:
I was wide open. I shot it, and it went in. My teammates kept looking for me, and it went in. We got points.
What does it feel like to win your first gold medal?
It feels great. It feels great representing your country, playing with this group of girls, it's awesome.
What will you take away from this experience?
A lot. It feels great playing for your country. It just feels great.
Do you feel your game improved?
Yeah, definitely. I got a lot better playing with these girls like Jess (Washington), Linnae (Harper), learning from everybody.
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Oderah Chidom (Bishop O'Dowd H.S./Oakland, Calif.)
How does it feel to win gold?
It feels surreal. The fact that all our hard work finally paid off and what we’ve been waiting for this whole summer is finally here. The moment is amazing.
What will you take away from this experience?
The full experience, playing with the nation’s top players, continuously playing with great players has been great.
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Kaela Davis (Buford H.S./Suwanee, Ga.)
How does it feel to win your second gold medal?
It feels great. It's been a long journey, over about a month, but it's all worth it. It's a great feeling to finish it out the right way.
Do you think the team reached its potential in this final game?
I think we did. We came out with a fast start. That's what we've been trying to accomplish this whole tournament. The fact that we could do it in this game, definitely it's one more thing to congratulate us about. It was a good way to go out.
What will you remember most about this experience?
Just all the different places we've been. All the funny times. My teammates, they're awesome teammates. I think it's just the whole experience in itself.
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Diamond DeShields (Norcross H.S./Norcross, Ga.)
Do you feel you finally got off to the start you wanted against Spain?
It was a great start; we had a lot of intensity and were ready to play. This is what we came here for.
Spain made a couple runs, did you ever feel nervous?
I never get nervous with this team. We’re too talented to even get back on our heels and get nervous. I kept believing throughout the entire game that we were going to do whatever it would take to win, and we did.
How does it feel to win your third gold medal?
Three? Man, it never gets old, honestly. It feels like the first one because this is the first time we all have been together. Every year is a different group, so it never gets old. You win for each other, and the people who have not won one, I’m more excited for them than I am for myself. All in all, it’s a great feeling.
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Rebecca Greenwell (Owensboro Catholic H.S./Owensboro, KY.)
What did you think of the game with Spain?
We knew it was going to be a hard game because we played them close the first time we played them. They came out and played really hard, but I think we brought all we had in the championship game, and we pulled it out in the end.
How does it feel to win another gold medal?
It feels great. Knowing that all the hard work paid off, especially since I was injured, it feels great knowing I came back and won another gold.
What are you going to take away from the experience?
A lot of good memories with my teammates and the coaching staff, having another gold medal is an amazing opportunity.
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Linnae Harper (Whitney Young H.S./Chicago, Ill.)
Do you feel you finally reached your potential today?
Yes, I think in the first quarter we came out with energy, excitement. I think in the second period we were a little bit too excited, it's the gold medal game, but throughout the rest of the game we picked it up, stayed focused, and we ended up winning the gold medal and it's a wonderful feeling.
How does it feel to get your second gold medal?
It feels wonderful to know that I got another opportunity to represent our country and to get another gold medal. It feels wonderful.
How did this help you as a player?
It helped my overall basketball skills. It expanded my knowledge of the game, and it just helped me get to know my teammates better on and off the court.
What will you remember most about this experience?
I think our free time. We have a lot of memories off the court. Of course on the court, but we have so many memories, and I think that's what brought us closer on the court.
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Kai James (William T. Dwyer H.S./West Palm Beach, Fla.)
How does it feel to win a gold medal?
It’s a pretty good feeling. All the hard work in practices and creating chemistry, it feels great.
What has this experience meant for you?
It means a lot. Spending all this time with these great players and becoming a better player myself, and being coached by these great coaches, it’s been great.
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Erica McCall (Ridgeview H.S./Bakersfield, Calif.)
How does it feel?
It’s great. I have two gold medals, now. A lot of hard work went into this and this one is even sweeter and I’m very happy.
What will you take away from this?
A lot of leadership and teamwork to take back to my hometown.
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Taya Reimer (Hamilton Southeastern H.S./Fishers, Ind.)
How does it feel to win another gold medal?
It's awesome. We've been working all month for this. This is what we came here to do. To win it, it feels great.
On today's game against Spain:
We definitely came out with a lot of energy. There were times when we kind of let off. But as a whole, the whole game, we played awesome.
What will you take from this experience?
So much. Playing with these girls for a month, it's made me so much better and then playing against international competition, obviously that makes you better. Just the experience, the cultures, everything. It's just awesome.
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Mercedes Russell (Springfield H.S./Springfield, Ore.)
How does it feel to win your second gold medal?
It feels great.
Did you feel you played well against Spain?
In the first quarter we had a lot of energy, then in the second quarter, it slowed down a little bit. We picked it up more and more in the second half.
How does it feel to accomplish what you set out to do with this team?
It feels amazing. It’s been a long, long journey, a lot of practices, but it has been fun.
Have you gotten better this summer?
I think I have gotten better -- getting stronger, making more moves, shooting more.
What are you going to take away from this?
Everything. The experience, the bonding, all of it.s
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Brianna Turner (Manvel H.S./Pearland, Texas)
What does it mean for you to win your first gold medal?
It is an amazing feeling. Like six months ago I wouldn't have pictured myself here today, so it's just really unbelievable.
Do you think you've gotten better as a player?
Yes, I do. Playing with our team that's full of really talented players and being with them for the past month has really helped me out.
What do you think you're going to remember about this experience?
Just the experience and traveling across the seas to play basketball.
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Jessica Washington (Jenks H.S./Tulsa, Okla.)
How does it feel to win your first gold medal?
It's crazy. Once the buzzer went off, it was something I'll never forget.
How do you think the team played?
I think we did well all around. We started off with a great lead and then finished it throughout the whole game. We had a lead throughout the whole game.
On Spain's runs:
Probably just energy from them knowing that it's their last chance, it's the championship game. So, they just came up with the energy.
What's this experience been like for you?
It's been a great experience. I've learned a bunch of things. Competing with great players every day for a month is something that will make you way better than you've ever been.
What will you remember most about this experience?
Just my teammates and what it's like to be a part of USA Basketball.
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