St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Women’s Basketball Media Day
The St. John’s women’s basketball team spoke to the media ahead of its upcoming season
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella
Opening statement…
“We couldn’t be more excited to have fans back at our games. We had an incredible tip-off event last Friday that just showed you what the energy has been like in my time here, which is almost 20 years. Our team is energized, we’re really excited about where we’re going. We’ve had about seven practices, so we’re still getting there. We still feel like we’re in a really good place. Coming off last year and having Leilani [Correa] and Kadaja [Bailey] back, we feel we’ve got a group that is in position to be highly successful.”
On Leilani Correa…
“Leilani has always shown her scoring prowess. She’s had five 30-plus games in her career, which is the program record. She is showing that she can score at all levels. I think the biggest change you’ll see is her commitment to defense and her ability to guard and be a factor on that end even more so than she has been. She understands the importance of not only being able to score but to be a leader on both ends of the court. She has really shown a commitment to getting her body right and making sure she can withstand a longer season and the physicality she is facing in the league.”
On closing in on being the winningest coach in program history…
“Honestly, when you talk about milestones, it still always comes back to the players that we have had here. This past weekend was probably one of the most special weekends I have head in my 20 years here [Coach Carnesecca Statue dedication and Shenneika Smith getting inducted into the St. John’s Hall of Fame]. To watch those kind of things and to have those moments is probably what I remember more than some of the other milestones. However, it will always come back to our players.”
Junior Guard Leilani Correa
On the biggest competition in the BIG EAST…
“I would say UConn. Paige Bueckers is a really good player. I know they’re a team everyone wants to beat, so of course we want to beat them too. I think having them in the conference pushes us a lot because it’s good competition. It would mean a lot [to beat them] because that’s one of the teams we would have to beat to become BIG EAST Champions.”
On what she and the team have been working on in the off season…
“I think communicating as a team more is the biggest thing. Since we’ve been back, communication has been a big key for us and we are all on the same page. For myself, I feel like I’ve been focusing on rebounding a lot but the biggest thing is mainly getting in shape.”
Sophomore Guard Sara Zebrecky
On what she will work on this year…
“I think I have to be more confident with my shot. My whole team picked me up last year, they said ‘be more confident, keep shooting the ball.’ So, this year you’ll see more of that.”
Graduate Guard Camree Clegg
On having fans in the arena…
“Having fans in the stands is always awesome, being able to see the support and energy they give us. Home court advantage is always a great thing to have so I think we’re probably more excited for them to be in the stands than they are.”
Junior Guard Unique Drake
On how she will enhance her leadership…
“I’m going to be more vocal on and off the court. I’ll make sure that everyone is where they need to be and I’m where I need to be. I just feel like I need to talk more.
Freshman Guard Idan Shlush
On joining the team and Coach Tartamella…
“I like the way we practice, and he pushes me to do things I don’t think I could do. He [Coach Joe Tartamella] gives me confidence and helps me with the language barrier.
Opening statement…
“We couldn’t be more excited to have fans back at our games. We had an incredible tip-off event last Friday that just showed you what the energy has been like in my time here, which is almost 20 years. Our team is energized, we’re really excited about where we’re going. We’ve had about seven practices, so we’re still getting there. We still feel like we’re in a really good place. Coming off last year and having Leilani [Correa] and Kadaja [Bailey] back, we feel we’ve got a group that is in position to be highly successful.”
On Leilani Correa…
“Leilani has always shown her scoring prowess. She’s had five 30-plus games in her career, which is the program record. She is showing that she can score at all levels. I think the biggest change you’ll see is her commitment to defense and her ability to guard and be a factor on that end even more so than she has been. She understands the importance of not only being able to score but to be a leader on both ends of the court. She has really shown a commitment to getting her body right and making sure she can withstand a longer season and the physicality she is facing in the league.”
On closing in on being the winningest coach in program history…
“Honestly, when you talk about milestones, it still always comes back to the players that we have had here. This past weekend was probably one of the most special weekends I have head in my 20 years here [Coach Carnesecca Statue dedication and Shenneika Smith getting inducted into the St. John’s Hall of Fame]. To watch those kind of things and to have those moments is probably what I remember more than some of the other milestones. However, it will always come back to our players.”
Junior Guard Leilani Correa
On the biggest competition in the BIG EAST…
“I would say UConn. Paige Bueckers is a really good player. I know they’re a team everyone wants to beat, so of course we want to beat them too. I think having them in the conference pushes us a lot because it’s good competition. It would mean a lot [to beat them] because that’s one of the teams we would have to beat to become BIG EAST Champions.”
On what she and the team have been working on in the off season…
“I think communicating as a team more is the biggest thing. Since we’ve been back, communication has been a big key for us and we are all on the same page. For myself, I feel like I’ve been focusing on rebounding a lot but the biggest thing is mainly getting in shape.”
Sophomore Guard Sara Zebrecky
On what she will work on this year…
“I think I have to be more confident with my shot. My whole team picked me up last year, they said ‘be more confident, keep shooting the ball.’ So, this year you’ll see more of that.”
Graduate Guard Camree Clegg
On having fans in the arena…
“Having fans in the stands is always awesome, being able to see the support and energy they give us. Home court advantage is always a great thing to have so I think we’re probably more excited for them to be in the stands than they are.”
Junior Guard Unique Drake
On how she will enhance her leadership…
“I’m going to be more vocal on and off the court. I’ll make sure that everyone is where they need to be and I’m where I need to be. I just feel like I need to talk more.
Freshman Guard Idan Shlush
On joining the team and Coach Tartamella…
“I like the way we practice, and he pushes me to do things I don’t think I could do. He [Coach Joe Tartamella] gives me confidence and helps me with the language barrier.