St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John’s vs. Fairfield
St. John’s women’s basketball Head Coach Joe Tartamella, guards Qadashah Hoppie and Leilani Correa spoke to the media following their 71-69 overtime win over Fairfield on Monday
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella
Opening statement…
“I’m happy we won the game. We've got to do a better job as a whole in being ready for games, no matter what time the game is or who we're playing. The fact that we were able to get a tip on that ball at the end of the game was a big play. Kadaja did a great job on that and these two young ladies [Leilani Correa and Qadashah Hoppie] fought all game. Regardless, the game goes into the right column. I usually don't look at things, but I never thought 150 would be as hard as it was today.”
On 150th career win…
“The kids I've been able to coach in the time that I've been here, it's pretty special. To be able to think back over time, to think about 2002 as a graduate assistant and watching the program, and then have a chance to take over as a coach, it's fun. Certainly to win the way we did, it feels good and you want to be on the right side.”
On team’s depth…
“To be able to have someone you can go to at the end of the game is important. Almost everybody had a chance to step on the floor maybe outside of one or two but you never know when you're going to need those two. You never know when you're going to need all 12. This is important on many levels, to be able to win today so we're happy with that.”
On preparation for BIG EAST play…
"We've got some players that need to get healthy, get some rest and get ready for BIG EAST play because we know how hard it is. Our depth will be better. We got Raven back and it's like adding a new player halfway through the year so we've got more room to grow and so does she."
St. John’s junior guard Qadashah Hoppie
On tonight’s game…
“I would say that we persevered. As you can see, we had a not so good night and some people were struggling, but it’s people like Leilani [Correa] and our other teammates that come in and pick others up. If someone isn’t on, then someone else should get on and we end up with a win.”
On depth…
“We are deep. It’s not just five people capable of doing things, it’s the whole team. Like I said, if one person or two people aren’t on tonight, we always have someone to pick up the slack.”
On what she has seen out of Leilani Correa…
“She’s having a good start so far and I’m happy with how she has been playing. She’s coming in, hitting shots and doing everything we need her to do. Just keep it up.”
St. John’s freshman guard Leilani Correa
On the game-winning shot…
“There wasn’t really anything specific. I knew we needed to score and we drew up a play for me to run. We ran it and executed it very well. We all kept our composure and finished the game. There’s been a lot of growth in the locker room. Practicing and finishing this game shows our growth this season.”
On scoring 30 or more points in two games…
“My teammates and coaches give me my confidence. My teammates pass me the ball and get me open for the shots that I’ve been hitting. It’s definitely a blessing to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
On the last seven seconds of the game and hitting the game winner…
“Coach drew up a great play and we executed it. I made the shot that I usually make in practice.”
Opening statement…
“I’m happy we won the game. We've got to do a better job as a whole in being ready for games, no matter what time the game is or who we're playing. The fact that we were able to get a tip on that ball at the end of the game was a big play. Kadaja did a great job on that and these two young ladies [Leilani Correa and Qadashah Hoppie] fought all game. Regardless, the game goes into the right column. I usually don't look at things, but I never thought 150 would be as hard as it was today.”
On 150th career win…
“The kids I've been able to coach in the time that I've been here, it's pretty special. To be able to think back over time, to think about 2002 as a graduate assistant and watching the program, and then have a chance to take over as a coach, it's fun. Certainly to win the way we did, it feels good and you want to be on the right side.”
On team’s depth…
“To be able to have someone you can go to at the end of the game is important. Almost everybody had a chance to step on the floor maybe outside of one or two but you never know when you're going to need those two. You never know when you're going to need all 12. This is important on many levels, to be able to win today so we're happy with that.”
On preparation for BIG EAST play…
"We've got some players that need to get healthy, get some rest and get ready for BIG EAST play because we know how hard it is. Our depth will be better. We got Raven back and it's like adding a new player halfway through the year so we've got more room to grow and so does she."
St. John’s junior guard Qadashah Hoppie
On tonight’s game…
“I would say that we persevered. As you can see, we had a not so good night and some people were struggling, but it’s people like Leilani [Correa] and our other teammates that come in and pick others up. If someone isn’t on, then someone else should get on and we end up with a win.”
On depth…
“We are deep. It’s not just five people capable of doing things, it’s the whole team. Like I said, if one person or two people aren’t on tonight, we always have someone to pick up the slack.”
On what she has seen out of Leilani Correa…
“She’s having a good start so far and I’m happy with how she has been playing. She’s coming in, hitting shots and doing everything we need her to do. Just keep it up.”
St. John’s freshman guard Leilani Correa
On the game-winning shot…
“There wasn’t really anything specific. I knew we needed to score and we drew up a play for me to run. We ran it and executed it very well. We all kept our composure and finished the game. There’s been a lot of growth in the locker room. Practicing and finishing this game shows our growth this season.”
On scoring 30 or more points in two games…
“My teammates and coaches give me my confidence. My teammates pass me the ball and get me open for the shots that I’ve been hitting. It’s definitely a blessing to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
On the last seven seconds of the game and hitting the game winner…
“Coach drew up a great play and we executed it. I made the shot that I usually make in practice.”