Additional Quotes >> USA U19 World Championship Team Finalists

Carol Owens, USA Women's U19 World Championship Team Head Coach (Northern Illinois)
On the trials overall:
I thought the trials went really well, each session got better and better. I'm excited about our team. I think our strength will be our transition game, in particular our posts I think will be very good. We have some scorers obviously. I'm excited to get them in training camp to work on our defenses and get our offenses going. We don't have a lot of time to put this team together but we have a mature group, and I think we'll be ready to play.

You have six players back from your previous team (2008 USA U18 Championship gold medalist team),including your top three scorers, how important is that going to be?
I think that's important because they have some experience in what is expected of them and the international game, and I think that goes a long way as you go to another country playing in the competition we'll face in Bangkok.

What does it take for a team to win a gold medal at this high level of international competition, a FIBA world championship?
I think you've got to put aside your individual characteristics and come together as a team. You're going to have some specialists; you're going to have some defensive stoppers; you're going to have some scorers " they all can score, but sacrificing their own individual attributes somewhat and then coming together and winning gold is really important.

What will be your primary focus when you resume your training camp?
Well I think we need to play together. We haven't really played together as a team. Making sure we're in great shape obviously, and working on that team chemistry those eight days where it's intense but they understand how we're going to go over (to Thailand), how we're going to portray ourselves, and how we're going to represent our country have to be taught during those eight days before we travel over to Bangkok.

Sue Donohoe, Chair of the USA Basketball Women's Junior National Team Committee (NCAA)
On the 2009 USA Basketball Women's Natioanl Team Trials:
The competition level was very high. You had tremendous talent out on the floor. It was a fun trials to just sit and watch the quality play of these young women. If there was anything surprising at all it was the intensity level that these young women kept throughout the trials. Sometimes you come in and they go through a session or two and they start getting tired and that intensity level drops. What we saw during these trials was the intensity level seemed to pick up with each training session and that made our decision a little bit more difficult.

I think we feel really good about the trials, and we're going to take 14 young women for both the U19 and World University Games training camps. Those 14 young women will compete for 12 positions on each team, so the challenge this morning to those young women was the opportunity now to come into training camp as prepared mentally and physically as they possibly can to compete for those 12 spots. I think they will respond in a positive manner, and I think we will have two great training camps coming up.

LaSondra Barrett (Louisiana State University)
How did you feel about your trials experience?
This morning I had a lot of nerves. I didn't really get a lot of sleep. I was in and out, worrying if I would make it or not. But just knowing that I had tried my best and did everything that they expected me to do, what was asked of us, so I was a little anxious and nervous all at the same time. I was very happy to hear the results.

What do you think you did to stand out in front of the committee?
I think everybody brought their best, but at the beginning they told us that they weren't really looking for people who could score. They were looking for people who were rebounders, people who make the hustle plays and can defend. I just tried to be a team player and do the things that aren't on the stat sheet. The small things that make bigger plays, looking at the bigger picture. I played my hardest and that's all I could ask for, knowing I left the court having played my best.

What are your thoughts on this group of players?
This is a great group of players. You have people who are All-Americans and who will be future all-everything in college, and it's just an honor to play with these players knowing they will be my teammates in the summer and will be future opponents.

What does it mean for you to represent the United States of America?
Words can't explain. This is a great honor. I never dreamed that I would make it this far. This is probably the biggest honor you could ask for above any NCAA honor or any individual honor. Knowing you're representing your country and you're on a team of great girls and great players. You couldn't ask for more. You just have to go out and represent and do what everyone tells you, act right the way you were brought up and everything'll be good.

Kelsey Bone (Dulles High School, Texas)
How did the weekend go for you, was there more pressure as a returning member of last summer's team?
We all knew our spot wasn't guaranteed just because we were on the team last year. So I think we probably had to work harder than the people who were not on the team last year just to secure our spots. It's all the same. Every time you come to USA Basketball (trials), it's very nerve wracking. I don't think I slept but four hours last night. Just to hear my name called this morning, it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

Do you think the U19 World Championship competition will be much tougher than last summer?
I went to France right before I went to the U18's last summer, so I got a chance to see some of the competition, the France team, the Australia team, the Czech team, and I know we're not going to be blowing everyone out like we did at the qualifying tournament. For us to have some close games and have some tougher competition is going to be really good for us. It'll let us know where we are. It's going to be a stepping stone for us.

What do you bring to the team?
I'm a post player, so I get down the floor, rebound, get on the block, get stops in the paint. Things like that. Whatever's asked of me, that's what I'm ready to do for the team.

Sarah Boothe (Stanford University)
How did the weekend go for you, was there more pressure as a returning member of last summer's team?
I definitely felt pressure. I was nervous coming in. I was like, ‘just relax and play your game,' because you never really know what the committee wants. So I just focused on my game, on being a team player. I know last year the emphasis was on USA Basketball, it's not the individual, it's about the team and making the team better. So I was trying to do the little things as best I could, trying to do the things that I could control. Sometimes my shot won't fall, but I can always run the floor, I can always hustle, go for rebounds, so I kept working on that.

I felt the trials went really well. I felt that all the girls here showed that. That's the best thing about USA Basketball and the competition, you're going to be playing against the best players every single day. You get so much better. Even this weekend I got so much better, and you find out where you are and what you need to work on.

Did it help to have four Stanford teammates out here?
Yes. It was so much fun. We're such a tight group as it is and being here, I'm just so happy that all my Stanford teammates made the team because I get to play with them every single day. I know how they wanted to be on a team. I know how hard they worked in this off season. It's exciting that we can all share this experience together and all come out positively like this together.

What does it mean for you to represent the United States of America?
Man, it's amazing. Watching the Olympics, was amazing. Being on the team last year and going (to Argentina), when you go into airports people look at you and stare at you. You're like an ambassador for the USA. It's a privilege that not many people get to experience. Having that opportunity, many people do not like the USA, do not like what we represent, but we can go in and positively change people's minds, show them that, you may have a serious idea about what Americans are, but we can show them we're not like that. We're good, we're a bunch of good girls who are out there to play basketball. Everyone here is a group of good, wholesome people.

Layshia Clarendon (Cajon High School, Calif.)
What was it like this morning, hearing your name called as one of the finalists?
I was excited. I wasn't really nervous because I knew that I gave it my all. So if I made it, great, but if I didn't, I knew that I came out and gave it my all, I gave 100 percent. I heard it was going in alphabetical order, so I knew I was going after Boothe or one of those B's. So when they said my name I was pretty excited.

What do you think you did this weekend that impressed the committee?
Just my consistency and overall game. Not too much scoring or being too flashy. You know, I love to pass the ball, I love to be with a team, I think that's really where I shine " being a great teammate.

What does it mean for you to have an opportunity to represent the United States of America?
When I got the trials information I didn't think about it like it's this big. I didn't realize how honored it is to be invited until I got here. Now it's really a big deal and would be a great opportunity to represent our country.

Skylar Diggins (Washington High School, Ind.)
How did the weekend go for you, was there more pressure as a returning member of last summer's team?
I don't know what they were expecting out of me so I just tried to come out here and do my best. Knowing how the process went, after being here last year, I kind of knew what to expect and what they wanted. That was easier, knowing what they wanted. But as far as getting out here and playing, everyone wanted to make it and everyone was competing really hard, so I don't think it was easy at all.

What do you bring to the team?
Just filling in whatever role the coaches ask me to fill, trying to stay vocal. Trying to encourage my teammates, get out there and try to play as hard as I can. Getting touches on the ball defensively and just trying to run the offense. I think everybody has a role on this team and hopefully everybody can settle into that role.

What does it mean to represent the United States of America?
It means a lot. I didn't really understand it until I went overseas to Argentina last year. You are USA, and a lot of people look at you in awe when you get over there. To have those three letters across your chest, it's an honor and definitely a privilege and one that has a lot of work involved in it. We want to go over there, and we want to win. I know a lot of people expect nothing less than gold from the United States. That's what we're looking to bring back.

Kelly Faris (Heritage Christian H.S. / Plainfield, Ind.)
How do you think you played this weekend?
Honestly, I think I was a little up and down, but I think at the end I picked it up a little bit.

Do you think your experience last summer with the USA U18 National Team helped you this weekend?
It definitely helped because I knew what I was getting myself into, knew what I was coming into and the preparation I did before coming here. It definitely helped being here last year because, like I said, I knew what I was getting myself into, and I knew how hard everybody was going to be working, that it's not going to be easy.

What does it mean for you to represent the United States of America?
It's a great honor. It's one of those things that's hard to describe. Last year was an experience that not many get to have, it's a once in a lifetime type of thing. You never know if you'll get invited back or not. You can't take anything for granted. It's a great honor to have USA on the front of your shirt.

If you make the final cut and go to Thailand, the competition will be a lot tougher than last summer.
I definitely think it'll be a lot tougher. Like Coach O said, it's going to be on a whole different level, and we can't think of last year as what we're going to face this summer. Last year was pretty big (winning) margins in most of the games. But we can't take anything for granted because it's a lot different this year. There's going to be a lot better competition.

What is this going to do for your game as you enter college next fall?
Oh, it'll definitely help me out again, given that I haven't been into the college experience yet. Being surrounded with college players who have, who are there to help you out, playing against them in practice, skill-wise and competitive-wise, it's definitely going to help. It's a great thing for me because I like to play against the best of the best, and I think that's how you learn and get better.

Shenise Johnson (University of Miami)
How do you think you played this weekend?
I was so nervous. Actually me and Layshia (Clarendon) were talking about it this morning at breakfast, and we were really nervous. Everyone was a little out of shape, everyone seemed pretty even keeled talent-wise. A lot of the guards seemed pretty evenly matched, so we didn't know who was going to be picked.

What do you think you did that stood out in front of the committee?
I think I went out a little harder than other people, just from college experience. Being able to push through and break through that wall, I think the college experience really helped me.

What do you bring to this team?
I'm a rebounding guard, a big guard. I can turn it up a little bit on the defense. I really enjoy rebounding. I enjoy passing and getting everybody involved.

What do you think it will feel like, if you make the final cut, to represent the United States of America?
It's going to be an honor. You dream of stuff like this. Being able to watch Maya Moore and Tina Charles and all of them practice, you take a lot of experience from it. Overall, I think it's going to be an honor.

Nnemkadi Ogwumike (Stanford University)
How did the weekend go for you, was there more pressure as a returning member of last summer's team?
I came in, I wasn't expecting anything. I came in and tried, gave it my best, and I feel that this group of girls I tried out with is amazing. I'm really looking forward to going to the training camp and hopefully making the team again. The experience was overwhelming last year. I thought it was really cool.

What are your strengths, what do you bring to the team?
Enthusiasm! Things may not work out well for me some days, but as long as I bring my enthusiasm I feel that everything will be alright. Because if you're not playing well, you can always enthuse someone else, especially if they need a boost. I feel that that's one of the most important things.

Did it help to have four of your Stanford University teammates at trials?
Yes. They were cheering for me and Sarah (Boothe) when we were playing, and we watched them. It was kind of cool because last year I was going into college, and I was with all the girls who were also going into college or who were still in high school. Now it's kind of different because my teammates are here and it's really exciting.

What does it mean for you to represent the United States of America?
It means a lot, without a doubt. They could have chosen someone else, but they chose me to be here to represent and that's an honor.

Samantha Prahalis (Ohio State University)
What do you think you did that stood out in front of the committee?
I tried to play defense and do the little things. At this point, everyone's a great player, so you have to do the little things. I tried to play defense and be a leader as a point guard.

Coach Jim Foster has been involved with USA Basketball a lot and knows the international game. Did he give you any advice?
He just told me to be a leader and play defense, do the little things, the hustle plays and definitely lead my team.

Do you think your experience last summer as a member of the USA U18 National Team and having a year of college under your belt helped?
Yeah, I think the experience helped. I grew up a lot, and I think the overall experience definitely helped.

What does it mean for you to represent the United States of America?
It means a lot. It's real special, and you have to appreciate it.

C'eira Ricketts (University of Arkansas)
How do you feel right now?
It feels good, I was kind of worried about it because I had to sit out one day for my knee (injury), but I came back, played hard and it paid off.

Did you feel your play was good enough?
Yeah, I think I came out and played even harder than I usually do just because I had to sit out that one day. I thought that one day would actually kill my chances. I had to come out and push myself to do more.

What do you think you did to standout to the committee?
I don't know, maybe pushing the ball and directing the floor, helping my teammates be where they're suppose to be.

What do you think you can bring to the team?
Leadership, great defense and my all-around game.

Chay Shegog (University of North Carolina)
How does it feel to be named a finalist?
I feel really happy. I really can't explain how I feel. I'm excited about what's coming in the future and excited that all the hard work has paid off and that the trials are over and we have made the first cut and will be able to come back and do it all over again.

What do you think you did this week to stand out to the committee?
I think I played my game and tried to focus on what I have always been taught.

Is there anything you're going to work on before coming back for training?
Definitely conditioning because training camp, especially up here with the altitude, is going to be hard.

How do you feel about the possibility of playing for the USA this summer?
It's always been a dream of mine and now it could actually become a reality, so I'm just ready to continue the process, and it really starts when I get back to North Carolina.

Taber Spani (Metro Academy, Mo.)
How does it feel to be named a finalist?
It's just such an exciting time. You feel overwhelmed and don't even know the extent of how special this is until you're really a part of it. Now getting to be a finalist and getting the chance to represent your country and compete against the world. I said this when I came in, I just feel so blessed and honored, even more so now that there is an opportunity to put on those colors and listen to your anthem and hopefully win a gold medal for the United States. I'm just so excited; I can't even put it into words.

What do you think you did this week to stand out to the committee?
For me I just try to be a leader on the court, be loud and be all about effort and go for it in every sense. I think one of my strengths is to just be able to shoot the ball. I just try to work on my strengths and be tough minded. People look for little things; the scoring and rebounds stand out, but it's the little things that matter. And if I can be that encourager and communicator and that constant go-getter and lay it out on the line for all these girls, that's what I'm going to try to do.

Destiny Williams (Benton Harbor High School, Mich.)
How does it feel to be named a finalist?
I feel great, with there being 27 girls here and to be selected as one of 14 finalists is a great opportunity.

What do you think you did this week to stand out to the committee?
I hustled every play, I rebounded, played defense. My offense really wasn't coming to me, so I just tried to do the little things like help on defense.

Is there anything you're going to work on before coming back for training?
Oh definitely, conditioning first. I need to get in shape and then work on offense more and continue to work on defense. There is always a lot of things you can do out there.

How do you feel about the possibility of playing for the USA this summer?
It would be a great feeling. Then you can say that you played for the U19 (World Championship Team) and no one will forget that you were on that team. You can say, ‘I'm like Lisa Leslie or Candace Parker, or all the great players that won a gold medal. I'm like them, I won a gold medal against the best of the best in the world.'

Shawnice ‘Pepper' Wilson (University of Pittsburgh)
How does it feel to be named a finalist?
I'm really excited; this is my first time experiencing something like this. Never did I think when I first started playing basketball that I would have the opportunity to represent my country, so it just really motivates me to work really hard to become a part of this final team.

What do you think you did to standout to the committee?
The ability to run the floor up and down getting back with transition defense. My offense wasn't the greatest, but I made it a point to work hard on defense and get up and down the floor.

What do you think you can bring to the team?
My head coach always told me that I have the potential to be a leader, so on and off the court just becoming a leader and leading by example, working hard and showing some of these younger girls that hard work will get you very far.

How do you feel about the possibility of playing for the USA this summer?
Words can't even express it, I'm just really excited and can't believe I'm here and have the opportunity to represent my country. So I'm just going to really work hard, and hopefully I will be able to win a gold for my country.