Quotes >> 2011 USA U19 World Championship Team Finalists

Colorado Springs, Colo. • May 25, 2011

Jennifer Rizzotti
(University of Hartford), head coach
What do you think about the 15 finalists?
I think this team is great, I’m really excited. I think the committee did a great job.  I know it wasn’t easy to pick, because we had so many talented players here. We have a really nice mix of experienced USA Basketball players, a few college players, and then some new guys who I think will be really hungry to make this USA Basketball team. I think it’s really exciting and I’m really looking forward to working with them next week.

Jordan Adams
(Mater Dei High School/Irvine, Calif.)
What was going through your head as your name was called?
I was just praying my name would get called. My last name is Adams, so if I’m not the first one called I know I didn’t make it. I was just hoping that the committee saw that I wanted to play real bad and that they decided to pick me.

What do you think stood out to the selection committee about you?
Just playing as a team; showing the committee that I’m a team player and can get everyone involved and also score myself. And defense, defense was a big thing for me this week.

What will your focus be when you get home?
I need to work on my jump shot, that’s for sure. Just getting it to where it needs to be so I can be a better scoring threat.

Cierra Burdick
(Butler High School/Matthews, N.C.)
What was your first thought when you heard your name selected?
A lot of excitement. I knew that the work was not finished, however. It’s great to make the finalist roster, but now I just need to focus on Orlando and make sure that I’m one of those final 12.

What did you try and focus on this week?
Really, just being a team player. People don’t always realize that USA Basketball doesn’t always select the best 12 players, but the best 12 players that will fit into the team and represent the USA in the best manner. So really, I was just trying to do what I do best, and that’s really just vocalize, be a leader, rebound the ball well and defend the ball.

What type of preparation will you take for the upcoming training camp?
I’m just going to keep on training hard. Before I came here I was working out every day. I’m just going to keep up with that trend, and hopefully that will show in Orlando.

Diamond DeShields
(Norcross High School/Norcross, Ga.)
What type of emotions are you feeling knowing that you were selected as a finalist?
Before they even started selecting names, me and Breanna Stewart were both pretty nervous. I grabbed her hand because this is something that I really want to be a part of. Even after being called I was still anxious to hear if they were going to call Moriah’s (Jefferson) name and Kaleena’s name (Mosqueda-Lewis). It was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, but I’m more happy for my friends and everyone else’s name who got called because this is a big deal for them, too.

Having been a part of the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship team, how did that prepare you for this week?
Being on a USA team last year, I was just remembering how great of an experience it was and how much fun I had. I just wanted it to continue. When they called my name it was a huge sigh of relief.

What were you able to do this week that may have stood out to the selection committee?
I think what stood out was the difference between last year and this year. We all know I’m young, but I think I’ve matured a lot since last year. On top of that, I think I played really good defense throughout the past couple of days. I just stayed focused and kept my composure, and my body language stayed positive the entire time.

Stefanie Dolson
(University of Connecticut/Slate Hill, N.Y.)
You’ve been on a USA Basketball roster before. How does it feel to be selected as a finalist again?
It was exciting, and I think it was reassuring for myself to know that I can still play at this level. After a year of college, I think this helps show that it has made me a better player. I went into this week with more confidence than I did last year. It feels good.

What do you think stood out to the selection committee about your game?
I think my main focus was to obviously play well, but to talk. I was trying to communicate more, be a leader, never stop talking. I think this year I showed that I’m a team player and will step up for anyone.

Bria Hartley
(University of Connecticut/North Babylon, N.Y.)
How does it feel to be selected as a finalist for your second USA Basketball team?
It was definitely an exciting moment to make the first cut and become a finalist because nothing is guaranteed. I know that I worked hard so that I could make the team again this year, and it feels good to be rewarded.

What did you focus on this week that may have stood out to the selection committee?
I definitely wanted to focus on a leadership role, especially as a point guard. Knowing where everyone’s supposed to be on the floor and going out there and making sure we’re playing hard all the time is important.

What can you be doing between now and training camp to ensure a final roster spot?
Definitely, when I go back home, training and being a vocal leader. I just need to keep improving at keeping my teammates involved.

Mo Jefferson
(Texas Home Educators Sports Association/Glenn Heights, Texas)
You’ve been on the other side of this process, how does it feel to be selected as a finalist?
Honestly I wasn’t expecting it, but I’m just honored to be selected as a finalist and to go to Florida and train and try out again.

What was your first thought when you heard your name called?
When she called my name I really didn’t hear it until someone tapped me on the back. I was surprised but excited.

What did you focus on this week?
I think this week I shot a lot better. Last year I didn’t shoot that much, I just attacked. I kind of split my game up more, so I was shooting mid-range jumpers, I was shooting threes and actually passing the ball to my teammates.

Alexis Jones
(MacArthur High School/Irving, Texas)
What was going through your head when you heard your name called?
I was surprised a little bit, but then again I was happy. It’s a great honor.

What do you plan to take away from this experience?
It was just a good opportunity, and I was happy to be a part of it.

Did you focus on a specific aspect of your game this week?
No, I just went out there and played. I tried to just be me and prove that I’m a good basketball player.

What do you plan to work on for the training camp in order to try and ensure a spot on the final roster?
I need to get stronger and work on my ball-handling more.

Betnijah Laney
(Smyrna High School/Clayton, Del.)
How does it feel to be selected as a finalist?
Honestly, I was sitting there and didn’t hear anyone else’s name except for mine. My heart was beating so fast. When they called my name it was such a relief of pressure.

What was your main focus this week?
I didn’t try to think too much about what I wanted to do because then I would start messing up. I just went out and did what I knew I could do.

What type of preparation will you take for the upcoming training camp?
I’m just going to keep working on every aspect of my game, not taking any breaks or slacking.

Ariel Massengale
(Bolingbrook High School/Bolingbrook, Ill.)
You’re a two-time gold medalist for USA Basketball. Were you still nervous about trials this week?
Yes I was. I could barely sleep last night. This morning my stomach was hurting so bad. When I heard my name a lot of weight was lifted off my shoulders.

What does it mean to you to have this opportunity to represent the U.S. again?
It’s a great opportunity. It’s an honor and I’m thankful to be here. This has always been a dream of mine. To come around, especially at such a young age, I feel like is a blessing. I know a lot of girls would like to be in this position. I just thank God that I made it.

What was it like going up against some of the older players?
It was a lot of fun. Just to see what it’s like playing against experienced players who have played in college, it helps you grow. You can always learn from them.

There are three players on the finalist roster that go or will go to Tennessee. How much will that help your team next season?
I think it brings us a lot of experience, but also helps us get to know each other and work with each other more. It should just make our connection stronger going into next season.

What do you think you need to do at the training camp in Orlando in order to make the final roster?
Just play my best. I need to play hard and do what I’m capable of doing.

Kaleena Mosqueda- Lewis 
(Mater Dei H.S. / Anaheim, Calif.)
How does it feel to be a finalist for a third USA Basketball team?
It’s an honor. Also, being able to be on the team with girls I’ve played with the past two years and girls I’ll be going to college with, I’m really excited.

What did you do this week to impress the committee?
I tried not to do too much, just tried to stay inside my role, be a team player out there, hit the open man and play a little defense.

Like you mentioned, a lot of you have played together previously. How will that help the team chemistry?
I think it’s going to help us a lot. We’ve done a lot together. We get along really well, so the chemistry is going to be great.

Meighan Simmons
(Tennessee / Cibolo, Texas)
How did it feel when your name was called as one of the finalists?
I was kind of nervous at first, but after I heard my name I was pretty excited.

You were one of the first people in the gym every day. Do you think it was the little things like that, that stood out to the committee?
I think it did. I think that from talking to my coaches in college, they were telling me that I had to be first to everything. It lets them know that you actually want to be there and you actually want to make the team.

After having gone through trials last year and not making the team, did you do anything different for this?
I practiced every day for at least three or four hours. On the weekends I didn’t go out too much. I was always either at home eating or relaxing and trying to get myself prepared.

There are three Tennessee players among the finalists. How will that help you next season?
I think that’s really going to help us next season. We’re going to have so much experience being able to play together at one time. I think we’re going to go pretty far this year.

Imani Stafford
(Winward H.S. / Los Angeles, Calif.)
How did it feel when your name was called as one of the finalists?
It felt great because there was so much talent here. Last year you could kind of predict who might make the team, who might not. This year it was more even, so I definitely feel honored.

You were going up against some players who had college experience. Was that difficult, were you more nervous?
I definitely was. I’m still a junior in high school, so going against them was hard. Going into college is definitely a transition from high school. Everyone’s so much bigger, so much faster, stronger and smarter in terms of game-wise. So, I definitely felt it was a tall task to accomplish.

What do you need to do next week, what can you contribute in order to make the final cut next week?
Definitely pick it up on defense and get in better shape. If I do those two things, I think I can make the final team.

Breanna Stewart
(Cicero North Syracuse High School/North Syracuse, N.Y.)
How did it feel when your name was called? Any different than the last couple of years?
Yeah, it was different. I was playing up to a different level this year, going up against college people.  I was very nervous.

Did you prepare differently, knowing you’d be going up against college players?
I just tried to get as many workouts in as I could. I worked on my shots, for sure, and just tried to get my wind.

How were you feeling this morning before the announcement?
I was still pretty nervous this morning. I mean, even if I did do good, I would still feel nervous. You know your name is waiting, and you’re not sure if you’re on the list or not.

How will having several players who have competed for USA Basketball in the past help this team?
I think there are five or six returning, so that will help in terms of leadership. It will be fun; it will be fun with everyone.

Morgan Tuck
(Bolingbrook High School/Bolingbrook, Ill.)
How do you feel you did this week at the trials?
I feel like I did pretty good. There are some things you always wish you did better at tryouts, but overall, I feel good about how I competed.

How did it feel this morning when you heard your name called?
I’m still not where I want to be, but for today I’m happy and excited about the opportunity. It feels good to not be stressed anymore.

What does it feel to be able to play for your country?
It’s a great honor. I really enjoyed it last year, so to be able to do it again this year in a different place, in front of different people, it’s a really cool experience and honor.

Essentially you’re playing up. What was it like going up against some of the older players this week?
I think it was a good experience. We don’t usually get the opportunity to play against the best college players in the country, so to be able to do that it definitely shows you what you need to work on and how you compare to players that are at the level you’re trying to get to.

Elizabeth Williams
(Princess Anne High School/Virginia Beach, Va.)
This is your third time being named as a finalist for USA Basketball. Is the feeling still the same each time?
Yeah, I was nervous this morning. It was great to hear my name called, as well as the other girls I’ve been playing with the last few years.

Were things more difficult this year because you were going up against so many college players?
Yeah, things were a little bit tougher, especially when we played against the WUG (World University Games) players because they’re a lot stronger and bigger. I think that was better for us; we kind of need that to prepare for the tournament.

Coming into the trials, did you do anything different to prepare for some older and more experienced players?
No, I still work out a lot. I just try to get better each day, and it’s been working.

What do you think you can contribute to this team?
Just rebounding, blocking shots, doing whatever I need to do. I’m a team player, so whatever the coach needs me to do, I’ll do.