How do you practise?
We practice very hard during the week. Once every night and a couple times a week just shooting in the mornings. On the weekends we practice in the morning if we don’t have a game. We practice hard. We don’t have a big team, but we still like to run, so we do a lot of running in practice. We go hard at the beginning of the week with lots of 3 on 3 and 4 on 4 full court. Then at the end of the week we pick it up with 5 on 5 full court. Lots of running drills. We also practice in the mornings on game days, filled with lots of shooting.
What do you think about your season so far?
I am very proud of the way the season has turned out this far, but we still have a long way to go. The playoffs are just around the corner and that is when the real season begins. I did not know what to expect from this team when I first got here, especially after hearing what everyone thought about this team. But as we kept practicing and after Shanika Freeman was added to the team, my confidence in this team skyrocketed. This team gets a long so well. We have so much fun with each other on and off the court and I think that helps a lot with being able to play so well together. The main things we need to work on as a team in order to win it all is our rebounding and defense. I think this team has so many offensive weapons that you just cant key in on one person… it is just a matter of us stoping the other team.
How about your stay in Finland in general?
Finland is a beautiful country. I am so glad that this is the first place I got to play overseas. Only thing I could do without is the cold. Everyone is so nice and very welcoming. The basketball play over here is very very physical and aggressive. You can get away with a lot more, pulling and pushing over here. Also, both post play and guard play is strong. Every team has a strong post player and guards who can knock down the three, so the inside out game is very strong as well as the running game. Lots of teams like to run the floor, so you have to be in shape.
My stay in Finland has been fun. It took some getting used to, but overall it has been a good experience for me. Our Finnish teammates have made sure that we have had fun over here. And my American teammates keep me from getting homesick. Kotka is cool. It is a little small, but ok. Not much to do, but that is why we are so close with our teammates, because we make our own fun. The water freezing up is a new experience for me. I am from the south in America so seeing that everyday is a little exciting. It also took a while to get used to some of the food. I am a very picky eater, so that was very different for me.
What makes Peli-Karhut so good at the moment?
This team is a lot of fun. Basketball is serious, we want to win of course, but at the same time we make it fun. Everyone loves to laugh, so most of the time you will see us laughing on the court. Most of the time we are only laughing at ourselves to keep us loose. It has nothing to do with the other teams. And keeping the atmosphere light and fun is what makes us good. We don’t get uptight and stressed too often. And all of us hate to lose more than we love to win and when you have that kind of attitude you are more likely to win games, just to keep from losing. Everyone has that edge that good teams need to win.
Positive player?
I believe everyone has been improving as the season has moved along. But if you want me to pick one in particular, then I would have to say Kiia(Kajalampi). We call her KiKi, a nickname Shanika ”Nip” Freeman gave her when she first got here. She helps out a lot in practice and in the games. She helps make everybody work and keeps us on our toes.
What are your team routines on away games?
We don’t really have any routines. Everyone sits in the same seat, most of the girls listen to music on their MP3 players. We laugh, we joke, that is just who we are and what we do. Sometimes we watch movies. On long trips we like to sleep. Other than that there is not much that goes on.
Why people should come and see your games?
People should come see our game because they are exciting and lots of fun to watch. We keep it interesting. Lots of time we are doing something silly to keep laughing and if the audience is paying attention then they will have a good laugh too. We keep the pace of the game moving so that is doesnt get too boring. We are not afraid to get up in people faces to get the job done. We just have lots of fun out there, if we make you mad because of how we act, pay it no attention. We are not trying to offend anyone, we are just trying to have fun and win ball games. We like to win, that’s a good reason to watch us.
Naisten SM-runkosarjan viimeisen kierroksen ottelut:
| 24.2. | BC Nokia | – | PeKa | 14:00 | Nokian palloiluhalli |
| 24.2. | HNMKY | – | Catz | 16:00 | Malmin liiketalousopisto |
| 24.2. | Espoo Team | – | FoA | 18:00 | Tapiolan urheiluhalli |
Kapteenin kynästä -haastattelusarja on osa naisten koripallon teemavuoden kampanjaa. Kauden 2006-07 aikana jokaisen naisten SM-sarjajoukkueen kippari saa vuoronsa kertoa joukkueen kuulumisia Koris.netin lukijoille.
Lisätietoja: /sarjat_tulokset/naisten_sm-sarja/