St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John’s vs. Massachusetts
Head Coach Joe Tartamella along with forward Emma Nolan and guard Qadashah Hoppie spoke to the media following the team’s 82-71 victory over UMass.
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella
On the play of young players…
"I thought we made some really big shots today, some from young players, one of whom is on my right [Emma Nolan], during critical moments of the game. We do have a lot of youth out there and we see it at times but the core of the freshmen has been steadily improving and they stepped up handily."
On Kadaja Bailey…
"She has been someone, because of the rebounding, she led us today with nine boards and that's why it's hard to get her off the floor right now. We're playing somewhat small and she's done a good job using her athleticism to get there and has given us a push. Today showed us when [Kadaja] is ready and she's locked in, she's pretty scary player. I’ve been watching her play since she was in eighth grade. She's a talented kid. She's been a big part and her growth will be a big part of us moving forward this year."
On physicality and toughness of Division I Basketball…
"It's more about keeping your composure and keeping your poise and that's something that we need to make sure we're doing throughout the games. We have to have a certain toughness level, not just physically but mentally. That sets a lot of teams apart from being good and being great."
On tonight’s game…
"I love how we started the first and how we started the third but then we've got to be able to be a little bit more consistent through the game. Overall I am happy with the result and being able to get a win."
St. John’s freshman forward Emma Nolan
On first two starts…
"It was obviously nerve wracking at the beginning but I knew I had step up and help my team. They've been very encouraging through the process so that helped a lot."
On physicality of Division I…
"I’d like to say I'm already very aggressive in that area so physicality isn't really a big deal for me but I just need to be smart about my fouls in the game."
On tonight’s performance…
"My teammates found me a lot. With my defense, I kind of focus on my play and what I can control. Shutting down 33, [Maeve Donnelly] she is 6-foot-5, I had a big deal on my plate tonight. I was focused on making sure she didn't get any buckets."
On sister Sophia Nolan’s support…
"She's always been my number one supporter since we started playing basketball. When I'm feeling down she picks me up and she's awesome."
St. John’s junior guard Qadashah Hoppie
On playing the zone…
"For us, teams playing the zone starts with some type of gaps and that leads to open shooters in the corner. We have to move the ball quick and that's how we get our open shots."
On efficiency…
"Starts from shot selection. Taking good shots, open ones and good ones, that leads me to be efficient."
On four straight games with 20 or more points…
"I'm not really paying attention too much about the numbers but just coming out here to play every day and you know go hard."
On the play of young players…
"I thought we made some really big shots today, some from young players, one of whom is on my right [Emma Nolan], during critical moments of the game. We do have a lot of youth out there and we see it at times but the core of the freshmen has been steadily improving and they stepped up handily."
On Kadaja Bailey…
"She has been someone, because of the rebounding, she led us today with nine boards and that's why it's hard to get her off the floor right now. We're playing somewhat small and she's done a good job using her athleticism to get there and has given us a push. Today showed us when [Kadaja] is ready and she's locked in, she's pretty scary player. I’ve been watching her play since she was in eighth grade. She's a talented kid. She's been a big part and her growth will be a big part of us moving forward this year."
On physicality and toughness of Division I Basketball…
"It's more about keeping your composure and keeping your poise and that's something that we need to make sure we're doing throughout the games. We have to have a certain toughness level, not just physically but mentally. That sets a lot of teams apart from being good and being great."
On tonight’s game…
"I love how we started the first and how we started the third but then we've got to be able to be a little bit more consistent through the game. Overall I am happy with the result and being able to get a win."
St. John’s freshman forward Emma Nolan
On first two starts…
"It was obviously nerve wracking at the beginning but I knew I had step up and help my team. They've been very encouraging through the process so that helped a lot."
On physicality of Division I…
"I’d like to say I'm already very aggressive in that area so physicality isn't really a big deal for me but I just need to be smart about my fouls in the game."
On tonight’s performance…
"My teammates found me a lot. With my defense, I kind of focus on my play and what I can control. Shutting down 33, [Maeve Donnelly] she is 6-foot-5, I had a big deal on my plate tonight. I was focused on making sure she didn't get any buckets."
On sister Sophia Nolan’s support…
"She's always been my number one supporter since we started playing basketball. When I'm feeling down she picks me up and she's awesome."
St. John’s junior guard Qadashah Hoppie
On playing the zone…
"For us, teams playing the zone starts with some type of gaps and that leads to open shooters in the corner. We have to move the ball quick and that's how we get our open shots."
On efficiency…
"Starts from shot selection. Taking good shots, open ones and good ones, that leads me to be efficient."
On four straight games with 20 or more points…
"I'm not really paying attention too much about the numbers but just coming out here to play every day and you know go hard."