University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina Press Conference Quotes
March 21, 2005 | Women's Basketball
March 21, 2005
North Carolina Head coach Sylvia Hatchell
Opening statement:
We're excited about playing tomorrow. George Washington had a great game last night. They showed a lot of hustle and heart; and they really wanted the game by being down the way they were and coming back that last ten minutes. I've known Joe [McKeown] for a long time. He's a great coach, and every year they are good. We're expecting a really tough game against them and they have some great players. Number 21, Anna [Montanana], she is a WNBA level player, a great player. The whole team plays well together, is well-coached, and showed a lot of heart and character last night by coming back against a very good Mississippi team. We expect a really tough game. We're going to do what has brought us where we are. We're just going to try to keep playing the same type of basketball that we've been playing all season. We look forward to playing tomorrow.
On playing GWU after rallying back to win against Ole Miss:
They really wanted it. They made big plays down the stretch whenever they were down.. Every year they are good. They've been in the NCAA tournament before and we expect them to come in and give us a great game and all they've got. They're capable of beating a lot of people. They beat NC State this year earlier and they have played some really tough teams and some great games. We know they are a great team and we know that we have to play a great game and be on our best to beat them tomorrow.
On the team's maturity this year:
"Last year we were very young and at times we could play really well and at times we were pretty bad. This year I think our experience has helped us a lot more, and because of our experience we have more confidence, and with more confidence one thing leads to another, like a domino-effect. We have good leadership. Leah is our senior captain. She has done a great job leading our team this year and being a mentor to our younger players. I think the strength of our team is our balance. Our theme for the tournament is 'it's amazing what you can accomplish when you don't care who gets the credit' and basically that's the way our team is. We don't care who gets the credit, we just want to win and move on."
North Carolina senior guard Leah Metcalf
On satisfaction of shooting well and how it helps the team:
"Well, it definitely helps because it opens up the inside even more having a shooter on the outside being a threat. It was nice, but that game is over with and I'm just focusing on the next game and making my shots in that game."
On lack of intensity in second half of Coppin State game:
It definitely wasn't as intense as the first half was for us, but that game is over with and we're just going to have to go in tomorrow with a new mentality and play intense for 40 minutes."
On giving advice to teammates:
"We don't have to do anything out of the ordinary. Just do what it was to get us here in the first place. I mainly just try to keep everybody calm and thinking right, instead of being too excited. "
North Carolina freshman forward Erlana Larkins
On playing in first NCAA tournament:
"I don't know, I'm speechless. I was excited about yesterday's game, it was my first game in the NCAA tournament. I just want to go out and do the things that I have been doing all year, and not try to do anything outside of what I am capable of and just play my game."
On GWU's Montanana and post game:
"She and I are similar players. She's a good option inside, she can pass the ball well and she can also shoot the 15-foot jumper as well as the three-point shot, I think we are pretty much similar in our style of play."
