Kentucky-Coastal Carolina Postgame Quotes
Kyra Elzy
Kentucky vs. Coastal Carolina
Post- Game Press Conference
November 13, 2022
On if she really made the team shoot 150 free throws after Friday’s game …
“Yes, we absolutely did. We took 150 free throws on top of about 50 additional free throws before that, but you know it’s a big part of the game and we have to be able to get up there, knock them down with confidence, and if they didn’t shoot 80 percent, they had to come back today and make 150 before game day practice today. Thirteen for 16 today, so very proud that we bounced back.”
On the 32 turnovers they forced as a team today…
“You know, I was so proud, I told the players if our defensive intensity and energy today, that’s more what I’m looking for. Jada Walker, Robyn Benton, set the tone for us defensively. I was happy to see us flying around loose balls, taking charges, and we generated 27 points from our turnovers so we didn’t put as much pressure on our offense.”
On Jada Walker playing the point…
“Jada and Maddie (Scherr) are both point guards on the floor and I have the luxury to play both of them. Jada played a majority of the point today and she had a phenomenal game, I thought she was aggressive, I thought she was poised. Offensively not only did she score 21, which is a career high for her, but also 10 assists today. Let’s not forget about what she did on the defensive end.”
On if Walker is one of the best guards in the league…
“Well Jada is one of the best guards in this league and you now, we can’t worry about how people vote or what they say. Finished product, you do what you’re supposed to do and at the end you have a chance to make one of the All-SEC teams. It’s up for grabs, preseason is preseason, that doesn’t mean that’s what it’s going to be in the final.”
On importance of depth that the team lacked last year…
“Well, it’s great to have depth, that you have a bench of people that can come in and make plays. Whether it’s Eniya Russell, she can come in, Ade (Adeyeye), she brings the energy defensively and she’s going to rebound. Amiya Jenkins can come in and score, so we have some pieces so that’s where depth plays a big part of what we do.”
On bench performance in the fourth quarter…
“Yeah, I would just say that we’re a work in progress. Everyday, you know, having a game experience until you get some, so some of its nerves, some of its lack of experience, and everyday, we have to use these opportunities to learn. So, we will go back and watch the film, but also just trying to prepare them in practice because given that day, we are going to need everybody on our roster, so just trying to get them some confidence, but also showing them how they can grow.”
On getting better each game…
“Yes, yes we have. We have gotten better. You know, I talked to our players, they’re so competitive and they want everything right now big picture. We’re not going to be playing our best basketball right now, and I told them, we’re not looking for perfection but I am looking for progression every game. So, we took a step forward from game one to two, two to three, so if we keep progressing we are going to be a very special basketball team.”
On UK committing 25 turnovers…
“Oh yes, do not worry we talked about those 25 turnovers. They knew it right away, but you know a lot of it was hats off to Coastal, I thought they pressed us, changed up their defense, they were very aggressive. We weren’t meeting our passes so we made some careless turnovers as well. That’s something that we’re working on in practice, so in practice if we turn the ball over more than two times we’ll have a development because that’s a run. So just being cognitive of how much we’re turning the ball over. Our goal is 12 or less, we’re going to commit some, but 25 is way too many.”
KENTUCKY WOMENS BASKETBALL POSTGAME QUOTES
KENTUCKY VS. COASTAL CAROLINA
MEMORIAL COLISEUM – LEXINGTON, KY.
NOVEMBER 13, 2022
UK Student-Athletes
#11, Jada Walker, So., G
On bouncing back from the last game …
“This game was definitely a chance to rebound. I feel like I could’ve played better two days ago, so just to come back today and play even better. And the fact that I got beat up last game, so just being tougher and pushing through.”
On being comfortable with playing different positions …
“Yeah, playing off the ball was an adjustment for me just because I’m the shortest person on the floor. So, adjusting from 2-2-1 and scoring from a 2 (shooting guard) position but also setting my team up from a 1 (point guard) position.”
What you improved on offensively on the two-day break …
“We shot a lot of free throws, so we definitely did better at the free throw line. Still being aggressive and being smart. Knowing when to shoot the ball and knowing when to pass and just moving the ball around more and making the defense shift.”
#1, Robyn Benton, Gr., G
On the halftime break to have a great third quarter…
“Well, the coaches they preach to us like don’t go out there playing around. Third quarters are like one of the most important quarters of the game and just keep going and start fast.”
On team chemistry now compared to a few weeks ago, a few months ago…
“Day-by-day, you earn a dollar every day. We just keep on building on it, we just hope that our team chemistry is the best towards the end of the season.”
On what the team worked on over the one-day break to improve their offensive presence…
“The past two days you know, we toned it down – we shot like 150 free throws each. And basically, they’ve been preaching to us like our defense can turn into offense. We didn’t have a lot of transition points the previous two games, so they were honing on us about our defense and create transition points.”
