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On the game:
I’m really pleased with how mentally prepared we were. I was a little bit afraid that we would be distracted. I never got that feeling from them, but I think that was my fear going into the game. It felt good in shootaround, it felt good in pregame, then they came out and boy, did they play well. It’s tough to take a break after these last two games. We were playing good basketball; (Betty) Lennox was chasing (Alison) Feaster all over the court. (Dawn) Staley was a little frustrated by not being able to make an entry pass, so our defense really stepped up.
On what the Storm did well:
We were able to get out and run and we were so focused defensively. We wanted to win the last six games, but winning five out of six isn’t bad. The last game is the feeling you leave with. For me, the last two games we have played incredible defense. That’s what leaves me feeling that we’re finally getting it. We’ve wanted to get some swagger, and the last two games I think we’ve done that.
On the Sting:
Even though this was a back-to-back for Charlotte, that team is the best in the East. When they play as well as they did last night in Sacramento, there is no doubt in my mind that they are the best team in the East. We took them out of their flow. We didn’t want them to own us (by sweeping the season series). We took a lot of pride in this one.
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On the motivation to win this game:
We definitely wanted to win the game, just because it was our last time together for a month. I'm so happy all the girls stepped up.
On leaving her teammates:
I am going to miss these girls so much. I just want to cry. I can’t wait to get back to see them.
On the feeling after the game:
It feels like the end of the season. I usually never get to go home until the end of the season. Everybody is coming over to help me pack. We’re going to have a pack party. We’re going to have a bit of a party and have a bit of fun.
On whether it was important for her to have a good shooting night before the break:
As long as we won, I really didn’t care. The last two games have been pretty bad shooting nights. Some of the other girls stepped up, so I’m happy with a bad shooting night as long as we win.
On the Olympics:
I told Anne if we beat the US I’m not coming back. I’ll need a couple of days with my Australian mates, show my medal to the home folks and then come back. If I could just do that, get off the plane and wave it and then get back on the plane and come here.
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On how she feels about the break:
It’s kind of sad. I’m going to miss these guys a lot, people that you see every day. I’m excited for Greece.
On what she's most looking forward to with the Olympics:
Other than them putting the medal around my neck? Probably the opening ceremonies. I’ve always heard how much fun that is and I’ve always watched in on TV. I’m looking forward to that.
On beating the Sting:
Charlotte is the best team in the East, in my opinion. We knew we wanted to leave everything out there. It’s a long break, a month. We’ve got nothing to save up for. Everybody has nothing to do tomorrow, in terms of basketball.
On her expectations coming back from the break:
Hopefully we can just get better. Everybody will be working out back here, so, when Lauren and I get back here, maybe they can carry us for a while. That would be great.
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On what she told her team after the game:
I told them they had an extra day off - they didn’t come to compete. It’s been a tough haul. We’ve had seven out of 10 games away. We played well at Sacramento, we beat Indiana - there are some positives to it. This is one of those games that you simply have to put behind you and move on.
On it being too much Storm and not enough Sting:
That’s a good way of putting it. It was too much Storm rebounding … not to make excuses, but I think we were really tired. We knew they’d be up for us, having beaten them at our place. They have a very talented group. Lauren is probably the best player in the world … so it was just one of those nights. I definitely won’t be watching this game tape.
On what the Sting will work on during the break:
Individually and collectively we’ve just got to get better and be more consistent in doing the little things. That’s the type of team that we have. Rebounding has been a big issue for us. We’ve been very inconsistent, so that’s something we really have to work on. Offensively, we’ve got to be able to put the ball in the hole. A lot of times we get good looks but don’t get second shots, and that actually was a big difference in the game tonight.
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On writing this game off:
Yeah, you do. We didn’t particularly come out and play the way we wanted to play and Seattle made us pay for it.
On the role of fatigue:
No, I don’t think it was fatigue. I thought that it just didn’t click for us. We didn’t hit shots we usually hit, they took advantage of it and sometimes it’s like that. I’m quite sure Seattle has felt what we’re feeling at some point of the season - everybody is going to feel a loss like that. We just have to make sure we bounce back and take care of things during the break.
On what the Sting needs to work on during the break:
Just some consistency, being intense and playing every play. It’s the same things everyone is probably going to work on. You’ve got to put the ball in the hole, rebounding, all of it, every night … and the teams that do that more consistently than others, they’re going to be more successful.
On her excitement for the Olympics:
I’m very excited. Personally, I’m happy that I made it through without any serious injuries. My heart goes out to DeLisha Milton. Hopefully Katie Smith can come back and be healthy and I think Shannon Johnson is a little banged up, but once you put that (USA) uniform on, it seems like the pain ceases.
On what she'd do with a third gold medal:
We’ve got to win it first! The other two are at home collecting dust. The memories are the things that I keep with me and are dear to me. The gold medals are something tangible, but the journey that led to that is what really matters.
Notes:
