Additional Quotes >> U.S. Women 33, Germany 6

Kathy Richey-Walton, U.S. Women's Head Coach
Southwest DeKalb H.S., Ga.

It was a quick game against Germany. Was that the plan?
We try to emphasize that, get off to a good start and try to put them away early.

Do you think the girls are settling in?
I think so. I think they’re getting a little more comfortable and a little less confused. I think they’re getting used to each other and getting a better understanding of the game.

That has to be encouraging, especially when there’s not much time for in-game coaching adjustments?
Well, our main role as a coach is to get them prepared and make sure they understand situations so they can make good decisions. I think they’re heading in the right direction. They’re not there yet, but it’s good to see they have a better understanding of the game. We’re headed in the right direction. We haven’t arrived yet, but we’re not as lost.

How has the balance of the team worked out so far?
That’s a good question. I think the difference for us is that we’re not just one person. They’re all starting to step up and figure out what their roles are. It’s not like the other team can decide to shut down one player. They’re starting blend in and figure out what their roles are with each other. In some ways it’s a good thing that it’s a team effort and that it’s not just one person

What will you do on your off day?
Try to get them off their feet. We’ve worked hard, twice a day, and have little, nagging injuries and stuff like that. So we’ll get them off their feet and try to get healthy. We just want to make sure we’re going to be healthy as we’re getting out of pool play. That’s our main goal, is to be healthy and get some rest.

How do you feel at 3-0 with one preliminary round game left to play?
Well, we’re going to do well, but with the nature of the game, you have to be a little guarded. In a short period of time, things can change quickly. So you have to make sure you’re prepared for any situation that can happen. So, you have to be a little guarded.

Andraya Carter
Buford H.S./Flowery Branch, Ga

How do you feel after the team’s third straight win?
I feel good. The first one, we were getting into it. The second one, we were a little sloppy. This game, we just went out and had fun. We’re getting used to it, and the game’s coming more natural to us. The third win was probably the sweetest so far.

How do you feel, personally, with the tempo and pace of the game?
I feel way better. At the beginning, me personally, with the 10-second shot clock, I felt kind of rushed. Now, it feels so natural. The 10 seconds, it doesn’t even feel like 10 seconds. I’m just a lot more comfortable playing this game, and the speed is good.

How do you decide what to do with each offensive possession?
More so, we just read the defense. We have so many different weapons as a team, it’s like, ‘If Bri’s man is up on her, don’t give it to Bri. If there’s a shorter man on Kiah, dump it in to Kiah.’ We just read the defense to see what’s going on, and we have so many different ways to attack. It’s so much easier now, because our ability to read the defense has gotten a lot better.

What’s been the coolest part of this whole experience so far?
Oh, my gosh, I don’t know. I think just being a part of USA Basketball is the coolest part, because the people love us. Fans from different countries cheer for us. And all the different countries, we talk to them, and just the fact that we’re USA Basketball brings a lot of cool things. Just this whole experience has been great.

Kiah Stokes
Linn-Mar H.S./Marion, Iowa

Short game today, wasn’t it?
Yeah, it was very short. We wanted to jump on them from the start, and that’s what we did. We came out and executed really well.

Are you more comfortable now with the pace of the play?
Yeah, I think so. At the beginning – the first game – we were getting into the flow of everything. Now, three games in, we’re getting into it, we’re more focused and we know how to play the game better.

Personally, how have you adjusted to the game?
Personally, I’m more used to it. At first, I thought 10 seconds was no time at all. Now, I realized everybody just has to play with it, use their individual skills and go one-on-one mostly.

How’s the team chemistry?
We have great chemistry on and off the court. We’re always together, laughing in our rooms. We’re really close, and we understand each other and how to play and react to each other on and off the court.

What’s been the coolest part of this experience so far?
I don’t think there’s one thing that’s been the coolest. The whole thing is great. Singapore is a beautiful country, and I never thought I’d be here.