Media Day: What the Gators Had to Say
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 | Women's Basketball
The University of Florida Women's Basketball Team held its annual Media Day on Wednesday to preview the 2008-09 season.
The following is a sampling of what the Gators had to say:
Sha Brooks (Senior * Guard * Jackson, Tenn.)
On Coach Butler
"Now everybody has a feel of what she's going to do, what she expects from us and what we expect from ourselves. She's a great coach, especially recruiting-wise.
On entering a second season with Coach Butler
"Season two has been great. We've been working extremely hard. (Strength trainer) Karin (Werth) has been on us pretty hard conditioning-wise and Coach has been on us basketball-wise, teaching us the ins-and-outs and the dos-and-don'ts. They're making everybody a better player."
On a winning lifestyle
"It's basically just doing what you're supposed to do, on and off the court. On the court, just spending time shooting, dribbling and working on your weaknesses. Off the court, being academically challenged, doing your homework and making sure you get good grades."
On changes in Coach Butler from last year to this year
"This year, I think Coach knows exactly what everybody can do, their abilities. I think this year our team is more confident in who we are, especially with Susan (Yenser) coming in after being a redshirt, and Steffi (Sorensen) coming in from Santa Fe, she's a shooter. With all the talent that we have, that Coach has recruited, I think that we're going to be fine this year."
Ebonie Crawford (Sophomore * Center * Decatur, Ga.)
On what she is looking forward to the most this season
“Getting our there and playing hard and winning. We are one of the most experienced teams in the SEC this year. We have a lot of leadership and players coming back that couldn't play last year, like Sue bird, now she's stronger and a better shooter this year. As a sophomore, those freshmen jitters are gone now. I'm really excited to go out there and play.”
On her goals for this year
“I hope to bring my defensive presence. I've gotten stronger and bigger this year. I've definitely been working hard defending the low block and that's what Coach Butlers looking forward for me to do.”
On her hopes for the team
“Ultimate team goal is to get out there and win, work hard every night and win the SEC. I feel as though we are going to do that this year.”
On the teammate she is most excited to see on the court
“Susan Yenser, because she sat out last year due to NCAA transfer rules. She's an incredible shooter. Her shot has been on-point. I'm really looking forward to seeing her get out there and play.”
Kim Critton (Senior * Guard * Memphis, Tenn.)
On entering second season under Coach Butler
"The conditioning level went up tremendously. It's been a lot of hard work but we are really well conditioned."
On differences from last year to this year
"Coach Butler is trying to get more out of us now. We did okay last year, but this year we want to make a big impact. Not only for this season, but we've got a couple seniors, and we want to make it a good year for them, too."
On what you're looking forward to the most this year
"Just having fun. Spending my last year with my teammates that I spend every day with and that I've been around for four years, and the freshman that just came in. I'm trying to make it the best college experience that a person can have."
On getting ready for this season
"I'm just trying to be ready, being able to step up and complete whatever task Coach gives me. Jumpers, trying to shoot out of my range, going in strong, hitting free throws, everything. I've been trying to work on everything."
MarshaeDotson (Senior * Forward * Columbus, Ohio)
On coming back from surgery
"I've been practicing a little bit, everything is going well. I just got going, moving around and stuff. Hopefully, I'll be ready to play for the first game of the season."
On having surgery for the first time
"It's not fun at all. I was scared a little bit. After the surgery I was in so much pain, and really groggy and drugged up. It happened in March, it had kind of been bothering me and I didn't quite know what it was. When the doctors looked at it and they told me I needed surgery. I had the surgery in July."
On first thoughts after surgery
"First of all, I was just trying to get rid of the pain. The doctors were going to go in and check it out and if something was wrong they would clean it up and I wouldn't have to worry about it. If there was nothing wrong, then we wouldn't have to worry about it, either. I've never experienced that before, so I didn't know what it was going to be like or how I was going to feel afterwards."
Aneika Henry (Senior * Center * Coconut Grove, Fla.)
On going into senior year
"I'm just looking forward to competing for a championship. That's the big thing."
On Coach Butler entering second year
"She's been intense, but it's even more intense now. It's like double now. She's definitely looking forward to something big this year."
On improving in the off-season
"I've been trying to work on my strength, as a post player, because you have to be strong down there. Transferring from junior college, I don't think I was as strong as I needed to be. My goal was to stay here the whole summer and work with Karin (Werth) and make sure that I'm feeling stronger and confident down in the post."
On the newcomers
"They're awesome. We have Azania (Stewart), who's taller than me. I'm just waiting for her to come out and do her thing. Ndidi (Madu) is back, it's going to be a great year."
Jordan Jones (Sophomore * Guard * Suwanee, Ga.)
On what life at UF has been like since enrolling in August
“It's been a whirl wind, trying to get somewhere, where are my classes, what the workout routine is. Just trying to get adjusted, it's such a different situation. I'm so happy that I'm here, it's a different atmosphere here as far as the traditions that the University of Florida has in its athletics. It's been great so far.”
On the hardest thing about transferring
“It was hard to leave my teammates behind at South Carolina. I was weird because I wasn't sure how I was going to fit in and be accepted here. The first day on campus, when we had workouts, it just felt like I had been a part of this team for a year. They just immediately accepted me. A bond was immediately formed. It's been great. They have really helped me fit in and learn the ropes.”
On having to sit out this year
“It's going to be extremely difficult. I'm trying not to look at it in any negative way. There are positives and I'm going to work on my game everyday. It's going to be tough watching my teammates play and not be able to help them, but I'll be there biggest cheer leader.”
On what she's most excited about this year
“Seeing how far this team can go.”
Tailor Jones (Freshman * Guard * Altamonte Springs, Fla.)
On what she is looking forward to the most this year
“To get better as a team.”
On her personal goals
“To motivate, to bring the little things like rebounds, the things that count. Shooting free throws, making free throws. Being consistent. Always coming in with a positive attitude.”
On her emotions
“I am so excited, I'm playing college ball, this is my dream. To actually be here now is an honor. I'm taking every moment as if it were my last.”
Trumae Lucas (Freshman * Guard * Greensboro, N.C.)
On why she chose to attend Florida
“I have always been a homebody so it was nice to get away. I also really love my teammates. I was familiar with the coaching staff, too, because they were at UNC-Charlotte. Those were the main factors that went into my decision.”
On what she is looking forward to this season
“I want to help the team move to greater heights this season. I really just want to be a leader for my teammates on and off of the court.”
On her predictions for the team this season
“Our team looks awesome. Everyone gets along with each other very well and the communication on the team is very good. I really feel like we have the opportunity to do big things this year.”
On what game she is most looking forward to
“Honestly, I am looking forward to all of them because this is my first season so this is all new to me. I'm excited to get acquainted with all the teams in the SEC.”
Ndidi Madu (Redshirt-Freshman * Forward * Antioch, Tenn.)
On her excitement about this season
“I'm very excited. I've been looking forward to this year since I got hurt last year. I'm just ready to get on the court and play.”
On what she'll bring to the court
“Athleticism, quickness and overall play - my game.”
On her emotions
“I'm just excited. I'm ready to go. I'm a little nervous. I still kinds favor my knee, but I trust it, I trust my therapist and my coaches and all the workouts I've been through. I just have faith and have to know that I won't hurt it again.”
On sitting out last season
“It was hard, but I had time to sit down and observe and learn things. It was a learning experience.”
Jennifer Mossor (Junior * Guard * Orlando, Fla.)
On what “Bigger and Better” means to her
“We have some amazing new players this year, like Azania (Stewart), and basically it means that compared to last year, we have become bigger and better in all aspects of our game.”
On her confidence level
“Right now, my confidence level is very high. Luckily, I haven't had any injuries in the off-season so I have been able to attend every practice and every workout and I have been working really hard.”
On the team's expectations for this season
“We all have high expectations for the preseason and regular season. The coaches have been preaching for us to expect ourselves to do well and know that we are capable of doing so. We are working hard every day to get there.”
On what she worked on over the off-season
“There wasn't a specific aspect that I focused on with regard to basketball itself. During the off-season, I really just worked on getting my conditioning level to where it needs to be in order to be successful this season.”
Sharielle Smith (Junior * Forward * Bradenton, Fla.)
On her relationship with Coach Butler
“Our relationship is great. I enjoy her as a coach and as a friend off the court. She is disciplinarian on the court but she also relates really well with us off of the basketball court. I feel close enough with Coach Butler that I know I could talk to her about any issues that I have, whether they are school-related, basketball-related or just general life problems.”
On what areas of her game she has been working on
“I continued to work on my outside game. We brought in another bigger girl to help Aneika (Henry) inside so it makes it where Marshae (Dotson) and I can step outside of the paint and be involved differently.”
On the team chemistry
“I think we have done a really good over the summer with getting to know the newer players and enhancing the team chemistry. We have the talent and we just have to transfer that talent into the game. We need to be able to play as one instead of five individuals.”
Lonnika Thompson (Junior * Guard * New Orleans, La.)
On how the new players are fitting in
"They're fitting in really well. The freshmen came in and they're filling in spots. All of them are going to get a lot of playing time."
On going into this season
"We're just working hard and getting better than last year and the year before last. I'm just trying to make a difference."
On one aspect of your game that you've worked on this summer
"My passing. I really want to get better at passing the ball. I want my assists and turnovers to be better than last year."
On differences in Coach Butler
"She's the same, she's just more excited this year, also. She's just happy and we're all ready to play."
On the newcomers
"All of them are really good. They can bring a lot to our team scoring-wise and defensively. They do everything they can do, and it's impressing Coach and impressing the rest of the players that have been here. I think that's really good."
Steffi Sorensen (Junior * Guard * Jacksonville, Fla.)
On her journey to joining the Gators
“It's been a long journey. This the third school in three years so it has been quite the journey. I played for a Division II school my freshman year. Then I went to a junior college and played against some very good quality athletes and now I am finally here at Florida.”
On how Florida compares with her previous schools
“Florida has a combination of everything that I experienced in my first two years of college basketball. There are so many talented players and the competition level is very high so basically I am just taking it all in. I am really happy to be here.”
On why she chose Florida
“I always wanted to play for Florida. I was raised a Gator because my dad loves Florida. It just didn't work out coming in as a freshman but I am really blessed for the opportunity to be here now.”
Azania Stewart (Freshman * Center * Wood Green, England)
On what went in to her recruiting process
“For me, the decision was going to be based on whatever school felt like home, was a place where I could be looked after and where I could be made into a better player.”
On why she chose to attend Florida
“I had a lot of good opportunities presented to me, but it was easier for me because my parents don't really know much about American colleges so they didn't really have much of an opinion. My high school coach was really great and just told me to visit more than one school and eventually I would just know what was right. With Florida, I just knew.”
On what she is looking forward to this season
“I am really excited for the entire experience. We are doing really well and practicing very hard. It's going to be exciting to see the places that we can go as a team. Since this is my first year I don't really know what to expect so I'm just going with the flow.”
Susan Yenser (Junior * Guard * Marietta, Ga.)
On her excitement about this season
“I'm really excited about this upcoming season. I sat out last year. This is my year to finally compete. It's been building up for a year now. I'm ready.”
On sitting out last year after transferring
“I got to do everything but actually travel and compete. It was a blessing. I got to work out one-on-one with the strength coach a lot more than the girls who were playing. I got stronger and a year to mentally prepare for this season.”
On what she is looking forward to the most this year
“Two things: Traveling and being on the road with my team. It was hard not being there, especially as a team captain, not being in the locker room on the away games. I'm looking forward to the game. We're basketball players; we want to play when the lights come on. That's what I'm excited about.”
On what she'll bring to the court
“My leadership, consistency in shooting the ball. I know that my teammates expect that when they kick it out to me that I'm going to knock it down. That's my job this year.”
