St. John's University Athletics
Postgame Quotes: St. John's 67 DePaul 54
3/4/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 4, 2013
Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery 
Head Coach Joe Tartamella
Opening statement
"They stuck it out tonight. All three of these players have a special place in my heart and this program's heart. They showed that tonight and that's what they've done over the past couple years. I couldn't be prouder of them, especially bouncing back on short rest to get ready for the game. This was a fantastic win"
On Mary Nwachukwu's efforts this season:
"Mary is probably somebody, to the outsider, who is undervalued and not looked at as someone who puts up numbers. She is probably the best post defender I have ever coached and she is actually our best shooter. She is an invaluable member of our team. She had a tough year last year with her father passing away so she was a little emotional before the game but she settled down and played. She is a big part of what we do."
On what he saw in Nadirah McKenith when he recruited her out of high school:
"I went to watch another player and I saw her so she was the main target for the next four years. She wasn't highly recruited because she wasn't highly seen as much as many others players, and I'm glad no one saw her. Her growth has been incredible, more as a person in her time here than as a player. She is such a special player and she hasn't gotten a lot of accolades. She is another player who is so important if not the most important. You saw what happened today. Her hand was hurt and she was playing with one hand and was still able to break pressure and dribble the ball. She is incredible. When she is focused and on point, we feel there is no one better in the country. She has been a huge part of why we've been successful and we hope to see her at the next level."
On Amber Thompson performance:
"Amber was great. It's something we were hoping to see and I hope she can take that and build on it. The fact that she caught a pass and scored in transition, I kind of fell down and didn't know what happened, I've told them not to throw her the ball in transition and they did in a key moment, but she finished. She set the tone and I thought she was the one that was the catalyst for us to win the game because when she came in, the whole game changed."
On his first season being head coach:
"It has been very enjoyable and other times it has been frustrating and hard but that is what it's about. It's a different feel I think and people ask me all the time about the difference between being a head coach and being an assistant. Being in the same place is probably the biggest difference than going to a different place. I have been lucky in that matter. I get to coach the kids I recruited. They understand me and I understand them. My trust to them early was easier, but there are difficulties to that too since they are comfortable. I have to make the uncomfortable. St. John's has been a place that allowed me to grow as a coach and as a person over the last nine years. I couldn't be happier to have my opportunity here and coach these young ladies and be a part of this institution. It has been a great ride of ups and downs. You might want to ask my wife that question and she may not answer the same."
Senior forward Mary Nwachukwu
On handling her emotions on senior night:
"Tonight was definitely an emotional night for me. My father passed away so he couldn't be here on senior night but my teammates pulled me through."
On playing in her first BIG EAST Tournament:
"I'm really excited to be a part of it. Hopefully I can contribute and help my team be successful. This is going to be our last opportunity to prove to the committee that were are a tournament team."
Senior forward Shenneika Smith
On being recruited by Coach Tartamella:
"Coach Tartamella recruited us so he knows us inside and out. He's very passionate about the game of basketball and it has been a pleasure to play for him, he never gave up on us so we're not going to give up on him. We're going to push to get this fourth NCAA Tournament bid."
On handling her emotions on senior night:
"I play with emotion every night so I don't think tonight was much different. My family came out to see me; my grandmother from Jamaica actually came out to see my play for the first time. My emotions were running high and it was a great team win."
On having a strong second half
"I'm not sure, a few things opened up for me and my teammates found me the ball. I was able to get some tip-ins, I got some good shots, there were a lot of extra passes and when I was open I converted."
On her goals for the Big East tournament:
"It's pretty much the same thing, go out there and play hard which is what we do every night. It's all about how effectively we can execute against our opponent."
Senior guard Nadirah McKenith
On being recruited by Coach Tartamella:
"As you all know, I was not highly recruited coming out of high school. Coach Tartamella was the person that was there for me and tried to get me to come to St. Johns and the relationship that we've built has become really strong. It's been a pleasure to be coached by him and I appreciate everything he's done for me."
On handling her emotions on senior night:
"There were a lot of emotions out there but I tried not to show it too much because we still had a game to play. I just held it in and fought hard for my teammates as well as my fellow seniors to get the win."
On her goals for the Big East tournament:
"Our goal is to find out who we are going to play and execute against whomever we play. Hopefully we can make a push for the tournament."
