Additional Quotes >> U.S. Women 34, Canada 16

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

How were you able to get the girls focused on coming out strong today?
Well, we just talked about how hard they worked and what this meant. We let one slip away, but we wanted to show that we were in control of what was going to happen. So we wanted to be confident, regroup and get it done.

We talked about how they wanted to show their character. Obviously, (bronze) is not what we wanted, but to be able to refocus and get something out of it shows a lot of character. They could have easily folded and let this slip away, but they didn’t, and I’m proud of them.

Overall, how was this experience?
I think it’s awesome. Every kid needs to have this kind of experience at this level. I think they learned so much about themselves and the whole international culture. I’m thinking they had the time of their life.

From a coach’s perspective, what was it like to coach in this tournament?
I think that’s what’s so unique with this format. I got to know each of these kids intimately since there were only four of them. One of the big reasons I do this is for the kids, and for us to have this opportunity was unbelievable. I’ll never forget it. It’s one of the highlights of my life.

Briyona Canty
Trenton Catholic Academy / Willingboro, N.J.

How do you feel about coming away with the bronze?
Yeah, I feel good right now. The gold would have been better, but the bronze, I’m not complaining about it. It’s still a medal, and we’re still bringing something back, and we played well. Even though we lost, we still had something to prove.

How was the team able to overcome such a tough loss?
Well, actually, last night we went into one of our rooms and talked about the game, how we have to come ready to play tomorrow and all the things we could have done. That’s how we got our minds ready for this game. We had to talk about it and get it out.

Overall, what was the experience like?
The first day here, I mean, I wasn’t used to it. I was ready to go home. And the food, I was not used to the food. That was a different experience for me. … But then when it was game time, I think it was amazing. I think we showed that we were trying to be something great someday. It’s been an amazing experience. I enjoyed it.

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

What did it take to come back and win the bronze?
Yeah, I think I was hurt really bad yesterday with losing, and I was so disappointed in ourselves, and I took it really hard. So yesterday, there was a lot of anger and frustration built up, and we wanted to take it out on Canada. We wanted to play so hard that everyone will remember the USA as one of the best teams no matter what medal we got. This being the first ever (Youth Olympic Games), it was tough, but we got a medal, so we’re taking something home. Overall, I think we represented USA Basketball well.

Overall, what was the experience like as a whole?
It’s been amazing. Everybody loves USA Basketball, like, they want pictures and they want us to sign stuff. Overall, I think we played well once we got going. I mean, the loss was hard, but the whole experience was so much fun.

Amber Henson
Sickles H.S. / Tampa, Fla.

How does it feel to bring home the bronze?
We we’re disappointed we didn’t win the gold, which would have been the first time ever anyone’s won gold (at the Youth Olympic Games). But bronze isn’t a bad accomplishment. No one’s done that before, either. Briyona, she really came up big this game. Other teams really hadn’t seen her skills of the dribble, and she used that this game, and it was effective for us.

What did it take to bounce back?
We were obviously really disappointed yesterday, but this morning we woke up like, ‘All right, we’re going to take it out on Canada. All that anger and disappointment, we put it on the court.

What’s the experience been like for you?
It’s definitely been the best basketball experience of my life. If someone asked me to do it again, I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was cool to get to know the other athletes and to compete for a gold medal. The other girls have been in USA Basketball, but this was my first time, and it was an amazing time. Hopefully I’ll be able to stay in the USA Basketball system.

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

What does it feel like to regroup and win the bronze?
We definitely were out to win. Wed didn’t want to come home with nothing, and the bronze medal is better than nothing. We would have loved to get the gold and be the first ever to win it, but the bronze medal is still really impressive. I think we did pretty good.

Overall, how was this experience?
This experience was great. The 3-on-3 was different at the beginning, but eventually the whole team got to love it. It was really fun being in Singapore all the way across the world. It’s something I never thought I would get to do. It’s a city great and the people nice. Everyone here loves the USA and wants pictures, it’s almost kind of like we’re famous. It’s a great feeling.

What did this tournament teach you?
You always got to use your strengths. Don’t try to do something you can’t do, because eventually it will just hurt your team. And you always got to play (as a team).