St. John's University Athletics
Women's Basketball: Q & A With Mercedes Dukes
1/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 4, 2006
The St. John's women's basketball team is off to a 10-2 start and begins the bulk of its BIG EAST schedule tonight against No. 12/12 Notre Dame. Recently, senior guard Mercedes Dukes checked in with www.RedStormSports.com to answer some questions about herself, the team and the season so far.
RedStormSports.com: How old were you when you started playing basketball?
Mercedes Dukes: I used to watch my brothers and cousins play when I was really young but I wasn't too interested at the time. I would have rather played tag, but seventh grade was when I really started getting into basketball.
RSS: What made you stay with the sport?
MD: It kept me focused and motivated through junior high, high school and even college.
RSS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
MD: My first love is football. I'm pretty good at it too. I could play football all day long. When I was in junior high school my coaches would get mad because I would come into practice with a sprained ankle and they knew it wasn't because of basketball.
RSS: What made you choose St. John's?
MD: I transferred to St. John's after my first semester. I wanted to say close to home and do something special here. I felt like I could make a difference at St. John's and help the program bring in more local talent.
RSS: Who is your favorite athlete at St. John's?
MD: Daryll Hill. I adore his personality.
RSS: As a senior, what are your goals for the rest of the season?
MD: I want to keep a positive attitude for the team and give the girls the energy that I have to be successful this season.
RSS: Talk about last season's BIG EAST tournament appearance.
MD: It was a beautiful experience to go that far. I've watched St. John's all my life and I've seen the transition the program has made and I think we did a great job moving forward last season and this season.
RSS: How about the WNIT invitation?
MD: We had our fingers crossed for a while because we knew that there were other teams that had similar records to ours. We practiced as if we were going and I think the will that we had got us in there.
RSS: What has been your biggest transition while at St. John's?
MD: As a player, I have grown and learned how to do things mentally that as a player I knew how to do physically.
RSS: If you could go one-on-one with anyone who would it be?
MD: Allen Iverson. On my 17th birthday I went to a video shoot for Reebok and I went against him one-on-one. I was dribbling in a park and he came over saying "girls can't play" so I went against him. Some people got it on tape but I never had a chance to see it.
RSS: What is your favorite basketball memory at St. John's?
MD: When I played my first game. I scored right away. That moment I'll treasure forever because Coach gave me an opportunity.
RSS: In life, who do you most admire?
MD: My mother. She inspires me in everything I do and I want to be just like her.
RSS: What's your favorite spot on campus?
MD: It would have to be Montgoris. When I lived in the Res Halls, people said I was always there. I called in "Club Monty." It was great going in there and catching up with people.
RSS: Any game day rituals?
MD: Dana [Petersen] game day speech gets me pumped up. It gives me chills. She comes out and gets the whole team and staff wound up.
RSS: What's your favorite aspect of the game?
MD: Defense. I love playing defense. Offense sells tickets but defense wins games.
RSS: If you could do or be anything, besides play basketball, what would you do?
MD: I would be a teacher. I would teach first or second grade because I just love the vibe they give off. They give you energy and keep you young.
RSS: If you had your choice, what cartoon character would you be?
MD: Sonic the Hedgehog. He can get anywhere in the blink of an eye and he saves the day.
RSS: You're given a free round-trip ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
MD: Miami. One of my best friends goes to school there and whenever I can I go visit him. The weather is beautiful and it's just a great atmosphere.
RSS: How would your teammates describe you in one word?
MD: Charismatic.
