Kathy Delaney-Smith’s Quotes From Ivy Women’s Basketball Teleconference
Photo of Kathy Delaney-Smith courtesy of Gil Talbot Photography.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.- Head women’s basketball coach Kathy Delaney-Smith recently took part in the midseason Ivy League basketball teleconference. Below are her quotes from the event.
Head Coach Kathy Delaney-Smith’s Opening
Statement:
We’re pretty pleased about where we are, considering that we
graduated four of our five starters from last year. This is
probably the youngest team that I have ever coached. We’ve
had great leadership from our junior captains Christine Matera and
Claire Wheeler and consistent play from Brogan Berry and Emma
Markley. One of our goals this season was to beat all of the
Division I teams in Massachusetts. We were lucky to be able to
schedule all five teams this season and we were very pleased to
accomplish that goal. I am very pleased that we finished
non-conference play 9-4, although we did let some games slip
through. I like our level of play as we open up the Ivy League
schedule.
On the Possibility of Capturing the Ivy League Title
Early in the Season:
In all my years and from my Ivy League title years, there
haven’t been many years where we clinched the conference
early. The conference is going to be very competitive this season.
To me, non-conference play means nothing. It’s a dog-eat-dog
world out there and every team has a shot. I don’t see one
team running the table. We will need to work hard and keep playing
the way we have been in order to do well in the conference.
On the Youth of the Crimson:
Senior leadership is something you cannot teach. I’ve always
believed that you are only as strong as your leadership, whether
that is from seniors, juniors or your point guard. Also, our
experience will be a key factor in our success this year. We
aren’t the only young team in the conference this season so
it will be a battle.
