Feb. 24, 2008
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Maryland Head Coach Brenda Frese
Opening Statement:
"It was obviously very important for me to be here today for numerous reasons. Our seniors have meant so much for this team and this program. They have set the bar at a very high level for every team and every player that comes to Maryland now. I feel very blessed and fortunate to have had the chance to recruit and coach these players."
On Crystal Langhorne:
"I think you saw at the end of the game what kind of person she is, not only as a basketball player, but what she does on the academic end, what she does for her teammates. She has been a leader from the minute on the first day that she stepped foot on campus, she is a winner through and through. Obviously, she's a special player and we may not ever get a player like Crystal ever again. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to be able to coach a person like her."
On Honoring Langhorne's Jersey:
"If you look at what Crystal has accomplished over her four years here it just makes sense. She is the all time leading scorer and rebounder in Maryland history and it was senior day, so it just made sense."
Maryland Assistant Coach Daron Park
On Maryland's performance
"I think you saw first hand what we've been able to see in practice each day this year: the resiliency from this group, from our seniors and our upper classmen. This is a special group of players that don't get too high or too low, but they do a pretty good job staying even keel. I think that was critical to our run late in the game. We kept our composure, got the stops we needed, converted on offense, and were able to walk away with a tremendous victory against a really good Florida State team."
On the role of Maryland offense
"We spent a lot of time and we take a lot of pride in our offensive execution. Today, obviously, it was critical to us getting the win."
On Marissa Coleman's performance and her basket that tied the game for overtime
"She's starting to have a ball-hawking ability. The play that we ran was not for her, but she found a way to be in the right place at the right time. It is a wonderful credit to her. Great players do a great job moving without the basketball in their hands. Crystal had a move, got stopped, did not panic, and played under control. Marissa, instead of watching, cut hard, and when she cuts, nine times out of ten, good things happen. Crystal made a great pass and Marissa made a great finish."
On the experience of being able to coach Crystal Langhorne
"As a player her accomplishments are well recorded, and I've coached some great players, but I'm going to speak of her coming from a personal standpoint as a human being. What I am going to take away from this is how she opened her arms and her heart to me as a coach. She allowed me to come in and teach, and always listened and did whatever was needed to win. I'm kicking myself that I did not get here three years earlier."
Maryland senior Crystal Langhorne
On Coach Frese's motivational words during the game
"Coach B told us we needed to play hard and that's what we did. From that point on, we started getting defensive stops and stopped turning over the ball."
On playing with Laura Harper
"We've been playing together so long and we work so well together. She always brings energy even when I don't. I think we compliment each other well. I always love playing with Harp. I think she is one of the most underrated post-players in the country."
On Coach Brenda Frese being present for the game
"We were all so glad that she could be a part of today, especially since was the one who recruited us seniors. We would have understood had she not been able to come, because that would have meant she really could not have been there."
On her banner and her number being honored
"It's weird to see my number and my name up there. I am truly honored."
On the desire to bring a National Championship banner to Maryland
"Team achievements are always more important than the individual ones. You might be able to accomplish some on your own, but to win a championship takes a whole team."
On what she will walk away with after playing for Maryland
"I think our coaches have really helped us mature as people. It's not just basketball, but academics as well. They've always pushed us to do our best. I know that's what we seniors have taken away from the program."
On being undefeated at home this season
"It's been an extremely tough season, especially with some of the situations we have been in. It just shows the toughness of our team and our ability to come back and win at home."
Maryland senior Laura Harper
On playing with Crystal Langhorne
"When I first came to Maryland, I knew I was going to school with best post-player in the nation, so I thought if I could just better my game and learn something from her, we could make a great team down low. I think we help each other a lot. We push each other through workouts. I know I have become a better player because of her. We've been able to compliment each other well."
On how the emotions of Senior Day affected play during the first half
"Honestly, as much as we didn't want them to, the emotions definitely played a part. We tried to play hard, but this day just means so much to Maryland Basketball. There were so many emotions going into the game, and sometimes it's hard to shake those off. I'm glad we were finally to get over that trial and finish well. We realized it wasn't going to be `Senior Day' if we didn't come away with a win."
On playing for Maryland
"Playing for a coach who believes in me through anything has been an incredible blessing. I have grown so much as a person and as a player. I am incredibly happy to be a part of Maryland."
Maryland junior Kristi Toliver
On overtime:
"We had a lot of momentum. We've been challenged in a lot of different areas. Having our last home game be in overtime is appropriate, as much as we did not want it to happen, because it just goes to show the toughness of this team that will only help us down the road."
On Laura Harper and Crystal Langhorne
"I'm going to miss them. I think they are the best post-player tandem in the country, and they have made my job as a point guard so easy. I think they are the most unselfish post-players as well. Obviously, I am going to miss them a lot because as soon as they came out I started crying. However, what I'm looking forward to is finishing the season with them. We still have a lot of games left to play. As sad as this day is, I am happy to be with them for the rest of the season."
Florida State Quotes
Head Coach Sue Semrau
Opening Statement:
"Congratulations to the Maryland players and the seniors, who have had a great career here. They have really changed the face of the Maryland basketball program. Back in the day, Maryland had the main program and I think these seniors have brought the program back to where it use to be. I am extremely proud of our team, we have been through a lot of adversity this season, as this is the eighth game this year where we have had a short bench because of injuries."
On the Florida State defense at the end of the game:
"Well we had two players on the bench towards the end of the game and it's difficult to play the same level of intensity the entire time. We are a young team we have a senior and two juniors, so I am very proud of the effort our team."
On Marissa Coleman's shot to tie the game:
"You know what makes her a great player is the players that surround her on the court, Crystal Langhorne, Laura Harper, Kristi Toliver, and you have got to worry about them all. When you have all of those playmakers out there on the court at the same time someone is bound to get an open look and that is exactly what happened."
