March 4, 2005
WSSU 61, ELIZABETH CITY STATE 62
CIAA WOMEN'S SEMIFINALS ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY
General Comments Concerning the Game
ECSU HEAD COACH TARA OWENS
I'm still a little shocked and amazed. I think that we started off at the beginning of the year knowing that we were going to be young and hoping that we could develop and help enough to fulfill the season and do well. But our goals were written down, and one of them was to make it to this championship game and contend for a championship in the CIAA. And we never lost sight of that, and I have the player to thank for that because we worked them very very hard. I had to push them and tonight it showed. We stuck through the hard times and we came out on top. We look forward to tomorrow.
Q: You were switching man to man in the second half, you kinds of shut down Robinson was that the game plan?
A: We certainly had to do that and we went to full court man because we though we could put a little pressure on them and cause them make some bad decisions. And it took a lot of energy from our spot it was one of those things if you don't get it today to get it tomorrow, so we took a lot of chances. Everyone stood up and did what they were supposed to do , so I was very pleased with it and it helped us out a lot .The level of intensity was different from the level of intensity in the first half and stepping it up definitely made a difference in the second half.
ECSU CENTER CELESTE TRAHAN
Q: Rookie of the year, all freshman quad you are basically forty minutes from the championship, what are your reflections?
A: Its feels great. Before the game I was nervous my stomach was hurting. I thank my teammates. It feels good.
Q: Coach, this is your first season with Elizabeth City, basically same question. Your forty minutes away from the championship, what are your thoughts?
A: I want to thank God first because it's the reason why I am here. I'll tell you that putting it together with a great staff , I have two assistance coaches that are phenomenal They keep them focused and I think because we have goals in sight, it allows is to keep on looking forward and having a vision.
Q: Coach, early in season you were concerned what do you attribute to this season being so well?
A: I think having on e of the greatest group of ladies around. The best team I have ever coached as far as mentally, physically and socially. I think they listen they want to learn and they want to win. The accepted me and they accepted my style of play. And although it was rough they bought into a new system and I could appreciate that.
Q: Could you talk about your possible opposition tomorrow?
A: Well it can only be Shaw or Central, which ever way the ball comes out we are going to come out and continue to do the things we are doing. Continuing to work hard and continue to be an aggressive team on the offensive and defensive end. We will give it 110 percent.
WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY QUOTES
General Comments Concerning the Game
WSSU HEAD COACH John Williams
I thought we came out a put on a good performance. The first few minutes we had a ten point lead and they kind of cut into it, cut to six by halftime. I thought just by looking at the stats knowing that we had a six point lead at half time the way we shot the basket ball and the percentage that we shot it remarkable for us to even have the lead. I thought our defense was a little better than that. I think free throws were crucial in this game. We just came up a shot short. We still hung in there and played, we just came up short.
WSSU FORWARD Shalonda Carter
Q: That last shot looked kind of rushed, was the time on the clock an issue?
A: Yes, I guess, I knew that when we started there were twenty four seconds on the clock. I didn't know how much time was taken off the clock as we were coming down the court. I had an opportunity so there was no need for me to look up, It was wide open for me, the shot just did not fall.
WSSU GUARD JANET AMRSTRONG
Q: Does this get you going for next year?
A: I think it's a good lesson for the younger players. I think we all learned from this experience. They'll know what it takes next year to be ontop.
COACH WILLIAMS: I want to commend my players for the hard work. No one thought we would make it to the final four, they stepped up and I commend them for really hanging in there.
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