Ags' Colson: "I'm ready to go"
KANSAS CITY, MO -- I had a chance to speak with Sydney Coslon (junior point guard, Texas A&M) during the 2009 Big 12 Women's Basketball Media Day.
Here's the transcript:
HRR: Who are the team captains?
Sydney: I was the only returning captain from last year’s team because DG (Danielle Gant) and TK (Takia Starks) moved on (seniors last year); but, we have three new captains this year – Sydney Carter, Adaora Elonu, and Damitria Buchanan. They’re a perfect fit.
I don’t believe we were elected captains because we’re the most popular on the team. I think everybody wants to listen to what we say. Carter and I being the point guards, it’s vital for us to be vocal on the court and be leaders. Damitria and Adaora do an excellent job in practice, those hard practices when we feel like we can’t finish them, Damitria is always there clapping us up. She’s first in line clapping us up – leading by action.
Adaora is amazing in everything she does. She definitely leads by action. I think she’s becoming a better vocal leader.
We have a Leadership Council on our team. The captains I just named as well as freshman CierraWindham and sophomore Maryann Baker. It’s really a group that if we have problems outside the court; if something happens during practice and we want to address the coaches. It may not be the time to talk to the coahces right in practice when they may have gotten on you; but, you may have had a reason for why you did what you did. They may not want to hear it at that point; but, the Leadership Council can get together after practice and speak to the coaches and address the situation.
Leadership Council is there to get the input from the other girls and go talk to the coaches if they are nervous about speaking to the coaches. We’re supposed to be the voice for the team.
HRR: How has practice gone so far?
Sydney: Thus far, practice has been good. We’ve been practicing a lot. We’ve been working hard. Now, we’re really starting to get in a lot of our plays. For the freshmen, it’s a tough time for them right now to try and memorize all of the plays and do all the things the coaches ask of them. It’s tough because they’re now seeing a different side of the coaches than when they were being recruited. Now, it’s time for business. The coaches are getting on them hard because they want the best out of the freshmen. We’ve all been through that. I think practice has been going pretty well so far.
Three, four more weeks of practice and we have our first game. It’s time to get prepared. I feel like we will be ready when that November 15th game (versus Duke) rolls around.
HRR: What are your expectations for the team this year?
Sydney: This year, I really expect the veterans to come back and be the leaders like DG, TK, and (LaToya) Micheaux were last season. Leading by action. Being the ones who get the hustle plays. Encouraging everyone. I don’t expect us to be a team that gets rolled over this year. I don’t believe people’s expectations for us are that high this year because of who we lost from last season. I think, with the talent that we have, if we all come together, and at the right time and not peak too soon, we’re going to be a really good team this year and go far into March Madness.
HRR: How do you feel physically?
Sydney: I feel really good. My injury (torn ACL) is about a year and five months or so ago. I played on it about five months after my surgery; but, I feel I’ve gotten much stronger since that point. I’m feeling good. Everybody was pushing me when I needed them to do so. Now, I’m feeling healthy. I’m about 90, high-90 percent; so, I’m ready to go.
HRR: When did you get over the loss in the NCAA Tournament (84 to 69 to Arizona State in the Regional Semifinals)?
Sydney: The loss in the Tournament? It’s hard to get over it because that was not our best game. It definitely wasn’t. It was hard to get over it because the coaches aren’t over it. We still get reminded of it; and, we still be reminded of it because we play them this year. It’s going to be a game that we’re definitely going to have make a statement. We’re definitely going to have to play as hard as we’ve ever played. I’m not over it; but, I’m ready for the re-match.
HRR: What is Coach Blair like as a coach?
Sydney: He’s a good coach. It’s hard for the point guards because he pushes us the hardest. He gets on us the most because he expects a lot from us. He expects us to be his voice on the court. When the players can’t hear him call a play, we’re supposed to be the ones that verbalize everything. He’s a good coach. All his accolades show it. Everything that he’s done, the players that he’s produced. He’s a very good coach. I respect him.
The Aggies first game of the 2009-2010 season is a home match up with the Duke Blue Devils on Sunday, November 15. Tip-off time is set for 2:00 p.m.
Here's the transcript:
HRR: Who are the team captains?
Sydney: I was the only returning captain from last year’s team because DG (Danielle Gant) and TK (Takia Starks) moved on (seniors last year); but, we have three new captains this year – Sydney Carter, Adaora Elonu, and Damitria Buchanan. They’re a perfect fit.
I don’t believe we were elected captains because we’re the most popular on the team. I think everybody wants to listen to what we say. Carter and I being the point guards, it’s vital for us to be vocal on the court and be leaders. Damitria and Adaora do an excellent job in practice, those hard practices when we feel like we can’t finish them, Damitria is always there clapping us up. She’s first in line clapping us up – leading by action.
Adaora is amazing in everything she does. She definitely leads by action. I think she’s becoming a better vocal leader.
We have a Leadership Council on our team. The captains I just named as well as freshman CierraWindham and sophomore Maryann Baker. It’s really a group that if we have problems outside the court; if something happens during practice and we want to address the coaches. It may not be the time to talk to the coahces right in practice when they may have gotten on you; but, you may have had a reason for why you did what you did. They may not want to hear it at that point; but, the Leadership Council can get together after practice and speak to the coaches and address the situation.
Leadership Council is there to get the input from the other girls and go talk to the coaches if they are nervous about speaking to the coaches. We’re supposed to be the voice for the team.
HRR: How has practice gone so far?
Sydney: Thus far, practice has been good. We’ve been practicing a lot. We’ve been working hard. Now, we’re really starting to get in a lot of our plays. For the freshmen, it’s a tough time for them right now to try and memorize all of the plays and do all the things the coaches ask of them. It’s tough because they’re now seeing a different side of the coaches than when they were being recruited. Now, it’s time for business. The coaches are getting on them hard because they want the best out of the freshmen. We’ve all been through that. I think practice has been going pretty well so far.
Three, four more weeks of practice and we have our first game. It’s time to get prepared. I feel like we will be ready when that November 15th game (versus Duke) rolls around.
HRR: What are your expectations for the team this year?
Sydney: This year, I really expect the veterans to come back and be the leaders like DG, TK, and (LaToya) Micheaux were last season. Leading by action. Being the ones who get the hustle plays. Encouraging everyone. I don’t expect us to be a team that gets rolled over this year. I don’t believe people’s expectations for us are that high this year because of who we lost from last season. I think, with the talent that we have, if we all come together, and at the right time and not peak too soon, we’re going to be a really good team this year and go far into March Madness.
HRR: How do you feel physically?
Sydney: I feel really good. My injury (torn ACL) is about a year and five months or so ago. I played on it about five months after my surgery; but, I feel I’ve gotten much stronger since that point. I’m feeling good. Everybody was pushing me when I needed them to do so. Now, I’m feeling healthy. I’m about 90, high-90 percent; so, I’m ready to go.
HRR: When did you get over the loss in the NCAA Tournament (84 to 69 to Arizona State in the Regional Semifinals)?
Sydney: The loss in the Tournament? It’s hard to get over it because that was not our best game. It definitely wasn’t. It was hard to get over it because the coaches aren’t over it. We still get reminded of it; and, we still be reminded of it because we play them this year. It’s going to be a game that we’re definitely going to have make a statement. We’re definitely going to have to play as hard as we’ve ever played. I’m not over it; but, I’m ready for the re-match.
HRR: What is Coach Blair like as a coach?
Sydney: He’s a good coach. It’s hard for the point guards because he pushes us the hardest. He gets on us the most because he expects a lot from us. He expects us to be his voice on the court. When the players can’t hear him call a play, we’re supposed to be the ones that verbalize everything. He’s a good coach. All his accolades show it. Everything that he’s done, the players that he’s produced. He’s a very good coach. I respect him.
The Aggies first game of the 2009-2010 season is a home match up with the Duke Blue Devils on Sunday, November 15. Tip-off time is set for 2:00 p.m.
posted by Kris G @ 12:26 PM
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