St. John's University Athletics
Women's Basketball: Q & A With Angela Clark
11/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 14, 2005
The St. John's women's basketball team opened its 2005-06 campaign with a 54-45 exhibition victory over Team Concept on Thursday, Nov. 10. The Red Storm host its first regular-season game Friday, Nov. 18, when Boston University comes to Carnesecca Arena. Recently, junior Angela Clark checked in with www.RedStormSports.com to answer some questions about herself, the team and the upcoming season.
RedStormSports: What were your impressions of the team's exhibition victory over Team Concept?
Angela Clark: Well, Danielle Chambers was great for us in the exhibition game. She brought energy and was all over the place. Seeing her do that made me want to play just as hard. We want to play hard from the beginning so we will be ready for the BIG EAST schedule.
RSS:What aspect of your game did you work the hardest on during the offseason?
AC: Shooting. Last year teams would play my drive, so this year I want to make sure and work on my outside shot.
RSS: What is your first basketball memory?
AC: The championship we won in high school. It was so amazing. No one ever thought we could, but we shocked a lot of people when we won the state championship.
RSS: You didn't start playing basketball until your sophomore year of high school. What made you pick up a ball?
AC: My brother, who passed away, told me I should play basketball ... but I was always like "No, I'm not going to play ball, I'm too girly." Finally my high school coach said to me "You're pretty tall, you should just try out and see." So I tried out and for the first couple of weeks I was the worst basketball player there. I'm serious. I used to get the ball, throw it, and it would go flying off the backboard. But once I worked hard and kept playing I became a good player.
RSS: If you had a basketball shoe named after you, what would the name be?
AC: The Clark Shoe.
RSS:Would you rather score the game-winning basket or make the game-saving block?
AC: Personally, I would choose the block. But, it would have to be a monster block.
RSS: So how do you react when you block a shot?
AC: I'm quiet about everything I do. A lot of people tell me I smile on the court, but I don't think I do. People always say "Why are you so happy?" or "What is so funny out there?" But I really don't understand, because I will be mad and I don't feel myself smiling.
RSS: Being a junior this year, how do you feel you've matured as a player during your time here?
AC: I feel like I've matured a lot. When I came in as a freshman, I was shy and quiet. I didn't really talk to anyone very much. Then my sophomore year I kind of found my place and started to joke around and talk more. This year, I feel like I've calmed down and matured. I still like to play around, but I don't do it as much as I used to.
RSS: Who is your favorite athlete at St. John's?
AC: Lamont Hamilton. It's not just that he plays the same position as me, when he does the things he does on the court, I think to myself "Wow, I want to be able to do that." I want to dunk so bad, it's just something I want to do. When he dunks, he makes it look so easy.
RSS: What teammate makes you laugh the hardest?
AC: Lisa [Claxton] and Monique [McLean] and [Mercedes] Dukes.
RSS: If you were Coach Barnes Arico for a day, what would you do?
AC: Focus on defense and hands off.
RSS: Describe each of the freshmen in one word.
AC: [Laughs.] Okay ... Angel, quiet. Monique, I could say a lot of words, but I'll say silly. And Lisa, a little timid.
RSS: What has been your most memorable game at St. John's?
AC: The game that we played against Seton Hall at Madison Square Garden. I may not have scored that many points, but it was just so fun playing on the court that so many top players play on. I felt like a superstar. No one could tell me anything. I actually got to play on the same court Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant have all played on. So I will never forget that. And we won that game.
RSS: What is the best part about gameday?
AC: Seeing your teammates get so hyped and energetic for the game. Dana Petersen does this thing, she gets in the huddle and she just screams at the top of her lungs. Her face gets really red and it's so funny.
-- Red Storm --
