2010 USA U18 National Team Finalists >> Quotes
(University of Hartford)
Overall, how do you think the trials went?
It's been great, I really enjoyed the process. I feel like we really took a big step forward in terms of our intensity and people stepping it up and making it really competitive. Sometimes after a few sessions they get tired of playing against each other, and so knowing that there was another group to compete against, I thought raised their intensity level, and it allowed some people to really step up their game. At first it was a big jumble of maybe who wasn't playing well, but once we added that competition, I really felt like some people rose to the occasion.
How will the coaches and 16 finalists approach the next few days?
It's a chance for them to play together and build some chemistry and find out what our strengths are going to be. It's hard to get to know in trials what people can do. We need to figure out where our scoring is going to come from and maybe how good our D is going to be and what kinds of things we can do on both ends of the floor. So we'll spend a lot of time the next few days just kind of feeling out the team.
Sidney Cook What would it mean to you to get the chance to represent the USA?
(Southmoore H.S./Oklahoma City, Okla.)
What did it feel like when you heard your name called as a finalist?
Well, I didn't even really think I was going to make any of the teams. I thought I was playing pretty bad, so I was really surprised. It's a good thing that I made it.
A lot. Not many people get to do this. I'm going to go out there and do my best to make the final cut.
Diamond DeShields
(Norcross H.S./Norcross, Ga.)
What did it feel like when you heard your name called as a finalist?
I kind of was like, 'Did you really mean to call me?' It was really different actually hearing your name getting called for the U18 team. These girls are amazing players, and to be in a group with all these top-caliber players is just truly a blessing. I just thank God for everything. He does amazing things, and I'm just hoping to make the best out of this whole situation. I'm just happy for the experience and happy for the opportunity.
Stefanie Dolson What did you show during trials that you think set you apart? What do you need to do to make the final cut?
(Minisink Valley H.S./Port Jervis, N.Y.)
How does it feel to be named a finalist?
I feel pretty good. It's exciting to know that I made it this far, at least, but, I mean, I still have time to get cut, but, I'm very grateful for this opportunity.
I think I showed that I can hustle. Obviously I'm a big girl, but I was diving on the floor more than I usually do. And I was just playing as hard as I could, trying to finish my shots and play good defense.
I think I just have to prove that I want to be here, that I want to play and that I want to be the best. Just do the same thing I did this week: play hard, play strong, be confident.
What do you need to do now to make the USA U18 National Team?
(Africentric Early College/Columbus, Ohio)
How do you feel now that you know you're a finalist?
At first I felt like I was doing so terrible. I didn't feel like I was going to make it, but people at home were like, ‘It's OK, you'll make it, just keep having faith.' And still, I was like, ‘I'm not going to make it. I'm not going to make it.' So, I don't know, I feel like it was a miracle.
I feel like I need to just work hard, I feel like they need a hard worker, and I want to defend and be the best defender on the team. That's what I think I need to do, just work hard and show them that I want to be here.
What do you think you need to do make the final cut?
(Washington Prep H.S./Los Angeles, Calif.)
How does it feel to be named a finalist?
I feel great, because I came a long way to this point. Now, I have people looking up to me, because some people were doubting me, and I proved them wrong. It's a great feeling. It's like a load just lifted off my chest, because this is a great opportunity for me.
I just gotta keep working hard, talk and be a good teammate. The group is pretty cool, they're all pretty nice and outgoing.
Cassie Harberts What do you need to do to make the USA U18 National Team? What do you think you did in trials to stand out to the committee?
(San Clemente H.S./San Clemente, Calif.)
What was it like to hear you were named as a finalist?
I was really nervous, but now I'm happy and relieved. It's a great feeling; it really is.
There's another cut, but I just feel like I need to go out there and leave it all out on the court and just play really hard. Because I know I'm competing against really great players, so I just have to play really intense.
I think I came out here and played my game and didn't change. I think I shot outside more than I usually have, and I think I just tried to play defense and play hard.
Bria Hartley What do you think you did during trials that stood out to the committee? What do you need to do to make the final cut?
(North Babylon H.S./North Babylon, N.Y.)
How do you feel now that you're a finalist?
I feel great. It's definitely an honor to make it this far, to play for the USA.
I just showed that I'm going to work hard, go out on the court and hustle and make sure I represent this country well.
Just continue to work hard, push the tempo as a point guard and just make sure I can show them what I can do.
Malina Howard How did you think you played during trials?
(Twinsburg H.S./Twinsburg, Ohio)
What did it feel like when you heard your name called as a finalist?
It felt great. It felt good to know that I'm being considered for a team that's older than me, and it's a good feeling.
I was pretty nervous. I thought I played well, but the competition was good, so I had no idea what was going to happen.
Afure Jemerigbe What would it mean for you to make the final cut and have the opportunity to represent your country? What do you think you do this week to stand out?
(St. Mary's High School / Stockton, Calif.)
What did it feel like when you heard your name called as one of the USA U18 National Team finalists?
Oh, my heart dropped. I asked everybody if they were a little bit nervous and everyone seemed to give me the same answer, like, ‘If I go, I go.' But me, I wanted to make it so bad, and when they called my name, I was really excited.
It would mean the world to me. I know my family back home is praying for me, all my friends, coaches. It'll mean a lot.
I think it was more about my hustle. They liked the way I crashed the boards, hustle plays on defense. My shots weren't falling, but I made sure to continue to run.
Alexis Jones(MacArthur H.S./Irving, Texas)
What did it feel like when you heard your name called as a finalist?
I was surprised that they were going to let me try out for the 18s. I was real shocked but happy.
Are you looking forward to competing with the other 15 U18 finalists?
I'm excited because I love playing with older people, and that's something I've done my whole life. I'm ready to play.
Allyson Malott Is it a little nerve wracking, knowing there's another cut to be made? What do you think you do this week to stand out?
(Madison High School / Middletown, Ohio)
What did it feel like when you heard your name called as one of the USA U18 National Team finalists?
Last night I couldn't sleep because I was so anxious. It's just an amazing opportunity, and I'm really honored to continue. I know I haven't made it yet, but to represent my country is just awesome.
Yeah, it's a little nerve wracking, but I've already made it this far. It's already an honor just to be here. I've worked really hard, and I'm going to continue to work hard and hopefully make the next cut.
My ankle's kind of been bothering me, and I was going into it kind of negatively. I just tried to work hard. I'm not the fastest or the strongest or the most talented, by far. But I think I do the little things, and I always try to have a positive attitude, and I think that's what got me here.
Kayla McBride What do you think you do this week to stand out?
(Villa Maria Academy / Erie, Pa.)
What did it feel like when you heard your name called as one of the USA U18 National Team finalists?
I was nervous all night. I didn't even eat breakfast this morning. My heard just kind of dropped. This is one of my biggest dreams, just to be able to come here and play for the whole entire country and be a representative of that is an amazing feeling. It's an unbelievable honor.
I worked hard. I never gave up. Even if I messed up on a play, I just went to the next one. I just tried to get myself out there the best way I could. I guess it worked.
Chiney Ogwumike What do you think you do this week to stand out? What do you need to do to ensure you make the final cut?
(Cy-Fair High School / Cypress, Texas)
You were cut the last time you were here. Was this a better feeling?
Much better feeling than last time. I'm really honored to make the team.
I tried to do the little things, make sure I had a lot of energy on the floor and definitely make sure I put the team first.
Keep working hard, do all the little things that matter. Do the things that the coaches say, be coachable and play hard.
Cassie Peoples What do you think you do this week to stand out? Yesterday at the last session I talked to my dad and he said ‘you played your game. Now it's just up to the committee and whether they like your game or not.' I felt that I played hard, gave it my all, and I didn't have any regrets after the last session. 
(Cy-Fair High School / Houston, Texas)
What did it feel like when you heard your name called as one of the USA U18 National Team finalists?
It was just a huge relief. I've worked really hard since last year when I got hurt. I was out for a good year, so it was just such a relief to see that my hard work paid off. I broke my tibia, and I was out for nine months before I could actually start playing. Even then it still bothered me, and it took a good year to actually come back somewhat to normal.
At the beginning I felt I was a little rusty, the whole altitude change. It was a little frustrating because I thought I was in good shape coming in here. Then I realized that I wasn't in as good shape as I thought. So I was pretty nervous, and then as training went on, I started to get into the groove of things and get more comfortable.
Haley Peters How did you think you played during trials? What would it mean to get the chance to wear U-S-A on your chest?
(The Peddie School/Red Bank, N.J.)
What did it feel like when you heard your name called as a finalist?
It was a tremendous feeling. I was really excited. I was nervous. I didn't really sleep that well, so it was really exciting, and it's an honor to have a chance to represent the USA.
I felt like some sessions I played pretty well, and there were a couple of sessions where I wasn't really happy how I played. I wasn't really satisfied.
It would mean everything. To live in this country gives you so many opportunities, and it means so much to be able to represent the USA to other countries. It would just be a tremendous honor.
Theresa Plaisance What would it mean to get the chance to wear U-S-A on your chest?
(Vandebilt Catholic H.S./Marrero, La.)
What did it feel like when you heard your name called as a finalist?
It felt really amazing. I've never had that feeling before, ever. It's just the fact that you are about to represent your country in such a prestigious sport like this. To come out here and play every day is what we love to do, and to do it for our country is even better.
Everything. It's always been a dream of mine, ever since I was really little. I would just like to fufill that dream and play for the U.S.
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