Dec. 21, 2008
South Carolina Head Coach Dawn Staley
On how this game rated in terms quality of play this season
“This probably was our best performance [of the season], just because of the loss we came off and that Christmas break is right around the corner. I thought our players really focused this last week to get these wins. They put it together. It was a game of runs. They took our big hits, and we took theirs. Our kids were tired. They were dog tired, but they fought through. A month ago, we don’t win this type of game. Two weeks ago we don’t win this type of game.”
On Samone Kennedy’s play
“Samone [Kennedy] brings the speed element to our game. She is probably the point guard that has the most point guard instincts. We put her into the line up so she can give us a push. Tonight I thought she really challenged their point guard. We always tell them that whoever wins the point guard battle will win the game. I thought she took that personally.”
On getting offense from non-traditional sources
“It was a great team effort. C.J. [Pace] has been playing great. She did have the ankle injury. Our medical staff, Dr. Guy and everyone there, does a great job around the clock to get our kids back on the court and healthy. I thought Demetress [Adams] played for the second game tremendously well. Being undersized and underweight, she was tired and banged up, I thought her effort was incredible. She is going to need the break out most of all of them.”
On the impact of getting a key win before the holiday break
“It’s always great to get a win, especially when you have a couple of days off. It sits well with you. As a coaching staff, it is great to win and have a break. The type of win that it was, the elements that were around it, losing big to Stanford, going into Christmas break, to be able to focus like this, it was really incredible I really am encouraged by the progression that is taking place.”
C.J. Pace • Sr. • Forward
On her role getting the team involved
“It’s my job. I try to bring energy and help everyone feed off each other. If I can do what I have to do to keep everyone going and get every going, that is what I am going to do.
Samone Kennedy • So. • Guard
On hitting her first career 3-pointers
“I never really focused on whether or not I made or missed my 3-pointers. Tonight was no different. I was in the mode. I felt it, and I wanted to put the shot up. “
On getting the team involved offensively
“I feel really good about not only getting the team involved, but also helping with points. I’m not really big with scoring. I just want to get the team involved. If I can be the person that triggers the scoring and firing everyone up, I want to do that too. The biggest thing is getting everyone involved and getting us ready for SEC play and playing like a top team.”
Looking ahead to Connecticut
“We have a lot of goals going into this game. We have a lot of time to think about what they do well and what we do well. Things that we can control and things we can cut them down from doing. This time is to gather ourselves and our abilities.”
