2011 USA U19 World Championship Team Finalists Begin Training

June 1, 2011 • Orlando, Fla.

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Last Wednesday, following three days of trials, 15 of the nation’s top 19-and-unders were named as finalists for the 2011 USA Basketball Women’s U19 World Championship Team. After the finalists were announced on May 25, there was a team meeting, paperwork to fill out and USA head coach Jennifer Rizzotti (University of Hartford) had an opportunity to address the 15 finalists, before they headed home.

The 15 players had a one-week break from USA Basketball, but not from basketball in general.

After all, there is still one more cut to be made this week in order to pare the roster down to the final 12-member squad that will represent the U.S. in Chile at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship, July 21-31.

So just how did they spend the week and what are players focusing on this week to ensure their spot on the squad? USABasketball.com sat down with five players to find out.

Cierra Burdick
(Butler High School/Matthews, N.C.)
What did you do between Wednesday and now to get ready for training camp?
As soon as I got home, I took the next day off. From then on I was working out every day, just trying to go hard, keep my endurance up, get some good shots up, just working hard. I went to school for a day. That was about it.

What’s your mental focus coming in to this camp, with one final cut to take place?
Just playing my game, being a team player. I’m not that go-getter player that some teams have. I’m a role player. I’m going to do what the team needs me to do. I’m going to be the glue. Hopefully the coaches realize that and keep me on the squad.

Mo Jefferson
(Texas Home Educators Sports Association/Glenn Heights, Texas)
What did you do between Wednesday and now to get ready for training camp?
It was mostly rest, trying to get my elbow to heal. I did work out, tried to get some shots up, keep my wind up, but a lot of it was rest.

How is your elbow?
It’s fine. I can’t tell the difference. It’s ready to go.

What’s your mental focus coming in to this camp, with one final cut to take place?
I just have to go and give it 110 percent every time. I can’t take a play off to take a rest. I have to go as hard as I can.

Alexis Jones
(MacArthur High School/Irving, Texas)
What did you do between Wednesday and now to get ready for training camp?
I practiced with my team, Texas Express, and I played in a three-day tournament with them in Frisco (Texas). So basically I just played basketball.

What’s your mental focus coming in to this camp, with one final cut to take place?
I’m not thinking about it. I just want to come out here and have fun and play hard like I always do. Have fun and play hard.

Meighan Simmons
(Tennessee / Cibolo, Texas)
What did you do between Wednesday and now to get ready for training camp?
I worked out every day. I tried to take a break every now and then, but I was mostly in the gym a lot.

What were you focusing on to prepare?
Being patient with the ball, as well as staying low on defense and making sure that I’m being able to see the court no matter what, keeping my head up while I’m dribbling.

Elizabeth Williams
(Princess Anne High School/Virginia Beach, Va.)
What did you do between Wednesday and now to get ready for training camp?
When I got home, my trainer actually had this transition camp planned for the weekend, so I did that. It was a combination of workouts and listening to a lot of speakers. That was all day, like nine to five, basically.

On what kind of transition was it focused?
It’s a transition from high school to college. I did that, and it helped a lot.

What’s your mental focus coming in to this camp, with one final cut to take place?
Just trying to do exactly what coach tells us to do for us to come together. I think this week is important for us to get our chemistry right and get used to the system that she wants us to play.