Ohlde, Koehn Named Finalist For 2002 USA World Championship
May 20, 2002 | Women's Basketball
May 20, 2002
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Kansas State's Nicole Ohlde and Laurie Koehn were named finalist for the 2002 USA Basketball World Championship For Young Women Qualifying Team, USA Basketball announced today in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Ohlde and Koehn are among 16 of the nation's elite 20-and-unders. Joining the pair on the team are fellow Big 12 players Steffanie Blackmon of Baylor, Jia Perkins of Texas Tech, and Heather Schreiber and Stacy Stephens of Texas.
The invitation by USA Basketball is the first for Ohlde, while Koehn will be joining fellow selection Cappie Pondexter of Rutgers who played with Koehn on the 2000 USA Junior World Championship Qualifying Team.
"I think everyone was really nervous, I guess you just don't know what to think because you never know what's going through the Committee's mind," Koehn said. "But at the same time everyone realizes what they're doing and they've done it a few times before. It's a nerve racking moment but it is really exciting when you find out that you did make it."
Ohlde added, "I feel very privileged that I am able to be on the team with all of these great players and I'm just looking forward to trying to make the team and go to Brazil."
The finalists will return to Colorado Springs, Colo., on July 7 for the USA team training camp, which will run through July 11 (times TBD). Following the July 7-11 training camp, during which the final 12 member 2002 USA 20-and-under squad will be selected, the U.S. is scheduled to continue its training July 12-16 in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil prior to the start of the 2002 Confederation of Pan American Basketball Associations (COPABA) World Championship For Young Women Qualifying Tournament.
Hosted by Brazil in Ribeirao Preto July 17-21 and featuring eight teams from North, South and Central America as well as the Caribbean, the top three nations will qualify for the inaugural International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Championship For Young Women which is scheduled to be played in Dubrovnik, Croatia in July 2003 (dates TBD).
Ohlde was an Associated Press and Kodak/WBCA honorable mention All-American in 2001-02 after she averaged 17.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 blocks per game. Koehn was honored as a third team All-Big 12 Conference selection and as ESPN.com's Rookie of the Year. She averaged 17.6 points and led the country in three-pointers with 3.5 treys per game.
Texas Tech University head coach Marsha Sharp will direct the 2002 USA Basketball World Championship For Young Women Qualifying Team. Her assistants are collegiate head coaches Nikita Lowry of New Mexico State University and Lisa Stone of Drake University.
2002 USA Basketball World Championship For Young Women Qualifying Team Finalists
NamePos.Ht.School/Hometown
Jacqueline BatteastF6-2Notre Dame/South Bend, IN
Steffanie BlackmonF6-2Baylor/Dallas, TX
Kara Brown-BraxtonC6-6Georgia/Jackson, MI
Shameka ChristonF6-1Arkansas/ Hot Springs, AR
Vanessa HaydenC6-4Florida/ Orlando, FL
Ebony HoffmanF6-2USC/Harbor City, CA
Amber JacobsG5-8Boston College/Clarks Summit, PA
Laurie KoehnG5-8Kansas State / Hesston, KS
Kelly MazzanteG6-0Penn State / Montoursville, PA
Amber ObazeG5-8Louisiana Tech / Dallas, TX
Nicole OhldeC6-4Kansas State / Clay Center, KS
Jia PerkinsG5-8Texas Tech / Granbury, TX
Cappie PondexterG5-7Rutgers / Chicago, IL
Heather SchreiberF6-2Texas / Windthorst, TX
Stacy StephensF6-1Texas / Winnsboro, TX
Lindsay WhalenG5-8Minnesota / Hutchinson, MN
QUOTES
NICOLE OHLDE
What are your thoughts after being named a finalist?
"I feel very privileged that I am able to be on the team with all of these great players and I'm just looking forward to trying to make the team and go to Brazil."
How nice is it to have a teammate from Kansas State in this group of finalists with you?
"I think it really helps out a lot having Laurie (Koehn) here. She has been through this whole process before too, so that helps. Plus, just the fact that I know her pretty well helps."
How would you describe your experience here at the trials?
"It was a good experience. I had fun meeting everybody and competing against a bunch of good girls like they have here. So it was very exciting and I definitely think it helped me."
What was your mood during the trials?
"I think at first I was pretty nervous because I just didn't know what to expect. But after we got going, I think everybody calmed down and I felt more relaxed. I just wanted to go out and play and compete."
Will the physical nature of the international game change your game at all?
"I know it is pretty physical and that is kind of tough for me because I am not known as a really physical player, but hopefully I will be able to adjust to it and do what I have to do."
LAURIE KOEHN
What were you thinking/feeling when the names of the 16 finalists were called out and you heard your name?
"I think everyone was really nervous, I guess you just don't know what to think because you never know what's going through the Committee's mind. But at the same time everyone realizes what they're doing and they've done it a few times before. It's a nerve racking moment but it is really exciting when you find out that you did make it."
What did you think of your trials, were you happy with the way you played?
"Sometimes, but sometimes actually not. It's hard in a situation like this just because everyone is so good and it's just such a completely different setting than what you're use to."
How much will your experience in 2000 help you this time around?
"It will, I think kind of knowing a little bit what it's like and what it is all about and I guess that's the main thing, having a little bit of experience with the travel and everything like that will probably be the thing that is most helpful."
What do you remember from 2000?
"It was just an awesome experience, it was something I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. It was so much fun and it was such a great opportunity to be in the gym with such great players everyday and practicing and working out with great coaches just made it so awesome. I know it will be a lot like that this year and so hopefully it's just a great opportunity to have that chance to represent your country."
Two K-State players are among the finalists, is that exciting?
"Oh, definitely. Ohlde is an awesome player and anytime I have the chance to play with her and be around her it's a great opportunity. It's really fun and makes it a lot more exciting to have a teammate from your school with you."
What does that say about the Kansas State program to have two finalists selected from the trials?
"I think it says a lot just because these are supposedly the best players our age (20 and under) from around the country and for both of us to have this opportunity to represent our country I think is really exciting for both of us and probably helps but K-State on the map a little bit."
