NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - WASHINGTON ST. VS KANSAS ST.

March 18, 2022

Kamie Ethridge

Krystal Leger-Walker

Charlisse Leger-Walker

Washington State Cougars

Media Conference

Q. How's it going? Good to see you guys. The initial thing, how are you enjoying your time here? Kind of antsy to go here at this point?

KRYSTAL LEGER-WALKER: Yeah, I think so. I think we're all revved up ready to go. Super excited to be here, super excited for the game coming up. Yeah, loved our time here. Got out a bit yesterday and got to see around the downtown area here. And so that was pretty cool too. Yeah, definitely excited to go and ready for our game coming up.

Q. I'll direct this to Charlisse, obviously new territory, for the program, back-to-back tourneys and everything, this kind of success. But what can you kind of take away from last season and coming into this one, making back-to-back tourneys. A little bit of, you know, maybe jitters being in that tournament last year and you see some of that stuff kind of wiped away and this one going into the second one in a row?

CHARLISSE LEGER-WALKER: Yeah, I think definitely a bit more nervous last year. Obviously new for a lot of us. Probably just Krystal who was the only one who had been to a tournament. And so just a lot of new things to get your head around. Playing a team you've never played before. It's different than conference games where you played them two or three times. I think this year we've all got a lot more experience all being here in the same position last year. I think we're a bit more locked in, focusing on things we can control, Our scouting stuff, Going into trainings, knowing we have to have good trainings. We've only got, you know, a couple before we play a really good side. So, yeah, I think we're a bit more prepared this year and hopefully we're all locked in ready to play on Saturday.

Q. First of all, I feel like February you guys started playing really well, strung together some wins. We know in the quarter against Utah struggled to shoot it a bit. What do you think change in February, you talked about being locked in. Anything specifically you can tell us about that?

KRYSTAL LEGER-WALKER: Yeah, I think February kind of getting down to business and time and as we kind of said, we made a run last year and had a majority of our team back and were really locked in, and we knew our goals, and we knew we wanted to be here, and put ourselves in a position to be here. So I definitely think February was kind of the light bulb moment of we've better show up now. Otherwise, you know, there's no time left. So, yeah, definitely think that maturity and just you know, knowing the time of the year and the time of the season, and knowing that we want to peak now is definitely a big reason I think why we kind of played better in February and hopefully why we're on a little bit of a run now coming into this.

CHARLISSE LEGER-WALKER: Yeah. And just to add on to what she was saying. I think one of the key reasons that we did, you know, perform well was that team chemistry and team culture that we've been focusing on throughout the entire preseason and then carrying that over into January, February. So I think a lot of things started coming together for us, we knew what was working and what wasn't and really tried to hone in on that stuff to get obviously crucial wins that we needed.

Q. You bring up the team chemistry, you guys are a melting pot, I guess is the word. A lot of international players. A team that brought back a lot. So you guys have known each other for a while played together. What is it like? Are we hearing different languages in the locker room? Just describe to us that vibe.

CHARLISSE LEGER-WALKER: Yeah, you do hear different languages sometimes. Which is pretty cool, I think. And I think it can go both ways. I mean, when you have a lot of different international players you have a lot of different styles of basket ball coming in. I think on one side that's really, really cool. You have different experiences and people know how to play the game different ways. I think that's also helped our team a lot. And there is also an area where you need to figure out a balance and bring everyone's styles together and work out the best way to play with all those styles. We love it. I love playing with international players and obviously our Americans too. But, yeah, you just kind of bond over that fact, you're all away from home and go through the same struggles. I think that's really brought us together.

KRYSTAL LEGER-WALKER: I think she covered most of it. Definitely, I think that off-the-court bond we created being away from home and having to spend the holidays breaks together, and all those things helped our chemistry, and we had those two years to build that bond as well.

Q. Kamie has talked a lot in the last few weeks how much more complete of a team this is. What do you think were some of the shortcomings last year that have been smoothed out this time? You talk about chemistry. Is it more of a mental part or what are some things maybe on the court you think you guys are better at than you were last year?

KRYSTAL LEGER-WALKER: Yeah, last year was still pretty under the radar. Not many people knew about us and it was kind of our coming out year a little bit. But yeah I think that was one thing for us.

CHARLISSE LEGER-WALKER: I think also to add on to that. Last year I think a lot of the girls who maybe weren't as confident in what they can and couldn't do. And this year you see Bella, obviously she's the Co-Most Improved Player of the Year. She's really come into her game herself. Johanna is more confident in getting her shot up. We have people coming off the bench really making an impact on the game, and I think everyone's just a bit more confident in who they are and what they want and their roles on the team. And again I think that goes back to that second year, everybody knows what they can do. And coaches really laid it out for us, and so I think that's also helped a little bit where last year we might not have really known what everybody was going to do.

Q. So you both are from New Zealand. We can tell, accents. We love it. What did you know about American basketball growing up? What did you know about college basketball, WNBA. Who did you like watching? I'm just curious about your basketball childhood growing up.

KRYSTAL LEGER-WALKER: Yeah, our mom was a big basket ballplayer, but never really heft home. I Don't think we knew much about the college system, but we always watched the WNBA the NBA and kind of saw all those superstars, and growing up Sue Bird was always my idol. And then I don't think we quite knew how big the college system was. Like we knew all the big name schools and a lot of the Power Five places, but we didn't really know how big Division 1 basketball was and how big of a deal the tournament is and March Madness and all that stuff. So, coming over here and learning about all of that and just really being immersed in it has been awesome, and just a new experience and something that we never even knew, I think, like what to expect or what it was like over here. But, yeah, differently had a little bit of experience watching college. And were are a few girls from New Zealand. I think we knew three girls that came over. Not many. But, definitely, in the last few years -- even the last four years we have been here, seen a lot more New Zealanders come over. Really got into know this college system and how this whole thing fits together and work. So it's definitely been awesome, but a lot of new things that we didn't really know before getting here.

CHARLISSE LEGER-WALKER: Yeah, I think back home one of the main points to influence girls to come over to play college basket ball is the academic side of it. To get you know, a free scholarship and be able to play here. And so I think when you think about that, nobody really honed into the basketball side of things. Like Krystal was saying didn't really understand how big it was. Even me personally, the year before, all I knew was what Krystal was doing in college, and just seeing her progress and, you know, in the Big Sky and those types of things. So yeah coming over, I didn't really understand it until I was here in college as a freshman experience everything, you know, everything was still new to me. We made the tournament and still didn't know how big that was until everybody was telling us. Yeah, definitely a different world over here, and I think a lot more Kiwis back home are realizing now that it is such a great opportunity, and a really good pathway to go, and it can lead you on to bigger things within basketball.

Q. Of course still games to be played and, Charlisse, time to go in your college career. Could you just both speak on kind of your place in this quick rebuild and what would you both like to leave behind as your legacys at WSU?

CHARLISSE LEGER-WALKER: For me, I know you said a "quick rebuild" but I would actually say it goes a lot deeper than that. You know we have those in this program has been here from the start. And there's no way that we would have had the success last year and this year that we would have without them, you know, going through the battles and struggles that they did in their first years. You know losing games by a lot and not having any conference wins, games like that. And want to give credit for that first off. Obviously that's a big thing. I'm super grateful that I came into a team that already had that foundation laid out, and they knew, and they were strong about what they wanted to achieve. You know, Coach E and her coaching staff, every day talking about their values and morales and where they want to see this team hit it. And I think really important for us as players because we can see that vision. And that's, you know, the discipline that we need to come in and the motivation that we need to do what we have to do on the court every day. And so for me, kind of the legacy part, I think I would want to continue this kind of winning attitude. I think that hasn't been embedded in this program in such a long time. And I think we're still getting there as well. I don't think we're completely there yet. But I think I want to leave here knowing that anybody who comes into the program, you know, really has a chance to competing against top teams in the nation, if not in the Pac 12 Conference. So yeah I think that's one of the things I would want to leave.

KRYSTAL LEGER-WALKER: Yeah, definitely, me too. That's a big thing. I want to put this team on the national stage, and have us in all those conversations, when people think basketball they think about our school and, you know, we're in all those talks. So I think that was a goal coming in here and that was something that coaches spoke to me. Obviously, I'd played for them before. Playing here at Washington State. They told me the expectations, like, this is where we want the program to go. Like Charlisse said want to turn this program around, win games, build a strong culture, all those things. So definitely, I think, as Charlisse mentioned, we've kind of ticked some of those boxes and we're getting there but not there yet. But definitely just want to keep this program building and growing and keep us in the conversation and keep coming back to the tournament and things like this.

Q. Tomorrow, I'm curious is there going to be a watch party back home? Like I know it's going to be a different a lot of a different time, but will you guys have family watching and how are they going be able to see you guys play.

KRYSTAL LEGER-WALKER: We sure have a band of friends back home, and all our family and friends follow us. It will be I think 4:30am in the morning. So not sure how committed they are, but I'm sure that they record the game and might watch it later and just turn off social media. But, yeah, definitely have a band of friends back home that are supporting us.

Q. Charlisse, anything to add?

CHARLISSE LEGER-WALKER: No, not really. Same as Krystal. There's going to be a lot of people watching from home. I think they were really excited. It's not every day you get to see two Kiwis going up against, you know, great players and great teams here over in America, and so yeah, I think there'll be a lot of support.

Q. What do you know about Kansas State? Obviously, Ayoka Lee is a big star with her 61-point game. Sundell, the freshman point guard has played really well. Just give us some things that you're looking at with K-State.

CHARLISSE LEGER-WALKER: Obviously, Lee, has been a focus for us. She's an amazing player, great size. And so we've talked a lot about how we are going to plan around that and scheme around that about how to play her. But I also think a lot of it focusing on what we can do also on the offensive end and how to go against their type of defense with her in there. And Sundell, she's been playing great too, point guard for their team. Really long, tall, and plays well with Lee as well. Those two have been a real key focus for us, and just trying to figure out what's the best way to contain those two.

Q. Charlisse, last year -- I think you touched on it -- there was a little more wide eyedness, and a little more starting to try and figure out what this whole situation was about and understand the gravity of it. Do you kind of feel like this entire year you've been working towards getting to this second year of tournament games, and doing so with a little more experience, and a little more, as you said locked in determination, rather than, kind of, playing the game but also trying to fill yourself at this level?

CHARLISSE LEGER-WALKER: Definitely, this was the biggest goal for us to get back to the tournament. And to get, you know, to the second round, because we didn't do that last year. And so I think the whole year that's been on the back of our minds. Obviously, you play every game as it comes in and you focus on certain things. I think as a team, we've really locked into that mentality of doing what we need to do to get back here and put us in a position where, you know, we can tick off another first for our program.

Q. Last year it seemed like it was kind of an up and down road to the finish line, there was some loss in there, and you guys lost some players. And this year a much different story, 9 of your last 13 the only losses coming from two tournament teams. Does it change the confidence at all when you are coming here in a bit of a run, surging a little bit rather than kind of coming in -- I don't want to say stumbling -- but with a little, a little more struggle down the stretch?

KRYSTAL LEGER-WALKER: I have a pretty -- not very great memory, so I don't recall everything that led up to last year in our tournament run. But I definitely think we're coming in this year, you know, with a little bit more confidence and sureness about ourself, and we had some great wins and able to string together an a lot of great games on this back of the end of the season. So definitely think as Charlisse said we're locked in, we know what we need to do, we know how we need to perform, as we've been talking about earlier that chemistry too. I think that has come in, as I said we're peaking kind of now, and hopefully that bodes well for us, and we can just continue on and really make a run in this tournament.

Q. You guys got this extra year together because of COVID. What is it like now coming into this tournament and knowing every game you guys play together could be your last one playing as WSU players as sisters?

CHARLISSE LEGER-WALKER: Yeah, like I said, for the past two years, playing with Krystal is an unbelievable opportunity I never thought I would get the chance to get, just with our age difference. College playing together wasn't really on the radar in my future. So I'm super grateful I have the opportunity to do that. For me personally going into these games, it's probably not something to be honest I really think about. I don't really like to get too high or low with my emotions during the games. Maybe if I think about that, I might get sad or something like that. And so try not to think about it. But I am definitely just grateful for every minute we do get to spend on the court. There is no one I have a better connection with out there on the team and that's really special for us. So again, yeah, I'm super grateful that I get to do that.

KRYSTAL LEGER-WALKER: Yeah, I mean, for the last few years, I've been thinking at the end of the season, "This is going to be my last one, this is going to be my last one." But like Charlisse said, don't really think about it. You know, we have bigger things to achieve and we're focused on other things other than just playing with each other in these special moments. I know we will look back in their future and, you know, really cherish these things but I think right now we're really locked in on the goals we have and the tasks we have to do and the last game moment with us will be an afterthought.

THE MODERATOR: Coach, if you can make an opening statement, please.

COACH ETHRIDGE: Just incredibly excited to be here, to bring our team out to North Carolina State and to be part of this NCAA Tournament. Thrilled for our team, obviously, the second year in a row that we're doing this. Trying to change the direction of our program and the tradition of our program and these players in this team and, you know, predominantly the entire team that's back as has really started to do that. So excited that they're experiencing this, we're looking forward to great, a great game. And, you know, this is what you do 365 days a year to prepare yourself for and to get ready for, you know, we want to put our best foot forward.

Q. How do you see the experience of playing in last year's tournament helping. You know, rebuild kind of started recently and still new territory, but having been in it last year and going in again, may be coming in with less jitters this time.

COACH ETHRIDGE: I hope that. And I feel like between that and just players experiencing, playing North Carolina State early in the year, Miami, having the schedule that we've had throughout the year, putting ourselves in really tough environments. The Pac, you know, the environments of the crowds that you have to face. I think different than a year ago when you didn't face any of those things. Different than a year ago when I was all new, and no crowds, and the bubble. You know, first time, like you said maybe jitters. And I just hope that we're just a year further along in our journey -- and these players have played unbelievably huge amounts of minutes -- and you just hope they feel loose, and confident, and free, and just swing for the fences.

Q. First of all, Leger-Walker sisters are impressive. No doubt about it. I know Krystal played for you at Northern Colorado. Can you tell us the story of how you discovered these sisters from New Zealand?

COACH ETHRIDGE: At Northern Colorado we had a very small budget. Everything we did was just watching film online, and we lost a player late in the season that wanted to transfer and didn't have a scholarship prior to that. And we had seen film of Krystal earlier and really liked her, but just didn't have a spot for her. And then when that scholarship opened up we just jumped at the opportunity. She was well along, well on her path to choosing a school. She already had five visits setup, and we started talking to her and just tried to bust through the door and get a visit. And luckily, we were able to be one of the five that she -- you know, she just made that whirlwind in the States for two weeks and just went from visit to visit to visit. And just feel fortunate that we were able to really build a good relationship late in the process. And I think she just caught an idea of our vision of what we wanted to become. And her mother is a really unbelievably great coach, and a tough coach, and a fiery competitor. And I think she's been around coaches like that for her whole career. And I think she felt a comfort in our staff. And you know, the challenge of coming to the States in and of itself, and we were lucky to get her at Northern. And the story is she stayed an extra year and decided to come join us, and really recommitted herself to her journey of what she wanted to accomplish, and wanted the challenge to compete against the very best, and she has made the most of it. She sat one year that ended up being unbelievably beneficial because all of a sudden now her sister comes in and she can play with her, and then COVID allowed a second year. And there were times during this year that we were like, COVID going to take this year too. Then we started laughing that maybe she'll be playing with her other little sister. At some point she's just going to keep playing until her other little sister becomes eligible. We've been really fortunate to watch her growth, and maturation, and her leadership skills. And she's just been a key for us in her build.

Q. And then Charlisse comes along and she obviously is a big part of her team. Was Krystal saying, "I've got a sister, she's pretty good." How did that work?

COACH ETHRIDGE: We knew her sister. Her sister is very well known. And we, we knew we weren't getting her at Northern. And quite frankly, when we left Northern I don't know if that set well with her family, and us just leaving that's always a hard thing that happens when you leave a program and go somewhere else. We gave their family a lot of distant and time, and we weren't sure if Charlisse would even remotely consider us. And we were able to stay with it and give them some time and let her go through her recruiting process in the early stages, and thankfully -- I think just the previous relationship really helped us. I think Krystal coming around and understanding that she wanted to try another level and follow us out. It all just worked out in our favor. Charlisse had opportunities to go pretty much anywhere she wanted, and again, a game-changer for our program.

Q. Coach, we talked a little bit with Longwood about this, building a program that doesn't have an established reputation necessarily in women's basketball. What qualities are you looking for in players? What type of player does it take to want to come and establish a legacy as opposed to join the legacy?

COACH ETHRIDGE: I think that's on the player. There is some great players out there that really gravitate to being the first, being a part of that first group that hangs a banner, or there is not really an another women's basket ball banner hanging in the rafters because there hasn't been that great of tradition making tournaments. I mean some people really gravitate to that. I would tell you that, you know, it's been a struggle a little bit in at Washington State just because there's been so little success. Not very many programs that haven't had times of pretty good success, in NCAA tournament appearances, and we fight that. We fight that in the PAC and competing against the great teams and traditions in the PAC12. I don't think that is ever going to go away. We got to continue to build that. But we really believe in the kinds of players that gravitate to Washington State gritty, tough, passionate, again, I think people that see our vision of what we want to do and where we're going. I think I've made a lifetime and living of doing more with less. My AD talks about that a lot, and I think programs at Washington State are really doing that. I think the quality of coaching that we can give players to develop them, the minutes that they can play early in their career develops them and maximizes them and their ability as a basketball player. And I think our culture is so rock-solid strong now that players when they come and visit us they see something special going on. They want to be a part of it, and they think they're going to become better players and I think they understand that they're going to be great teammates when they leave, and if you do those two things you're going to be an unbelievably great professional at whatever you're doing when you leave.

Q. I know you talked about the Leger-Walkers a bunch. But I was wondering if you kind of speak on how key they've been in the rebuild and particularly Krystal, you've talked about how much of a rock she's been for the program just helping kick-start the program and what they meant to this whole thing.

COACH ETHRIDGE: I don't want to minimize even the seniors who have only heard our voice for four years. Shir Levy who is not with us she had to have a neck surgery, and Michaela Jones. And actually Ula who hopefully will be coming back for another year, and those four have only heard our voices and they came before Krystal. And, you know, we kind of got our brains beat in for those first two years. You know, not very much of a roster, and had to rebuild the roster, and change the culture, and change the language, and change what was allowed and not allowed, and what a locker room should sound like, and what a gym should sound like, and how you train, and your work ethic, and your commitment level, and your loyalty, and all of those things just had to be reworked. And I talk about it all the time, we had to be kind of behavior cops, that whole first couple years of: Nope, that's not it; yep, that's good. And body language, and energy levels, and what you do are you a giver? All those things. We had to really work at all those things. And it was starting to happen. I mean that started from the day we walked in the gym. And those four year seniors now, even while we're getting beat, we were changing that foundation. And then you add kids that are already those things. Kids that are committed and know what excellence looks like, and know what it means to compete at the highest level and want that challenge, and that was Krystal by the time she comes in. Sits a year, trains, rededicates herself, changes her body. Now all sudden her voice is in the gym, it's loud, and that's contagious. And then when you add Charlisse, the year that Krystal and them played, I honestly believe it was just like a multiplication. It wasn't just add two players. They multiplied. Whatever those two were, it was like everybody in the gym became way better, and I think Ula was talking to someone off of Oregon, an Australian off of Oregon's team that first year, and we had a chance to beat Oregon with a last-second shot and miss that. And they just went, "What the heck?" They told Ula total afterwards like, "what's happened to you guys?" And she just said "the sisters." I really do. They're self-aware people, and self-aware athletes, and not afraid of criticism or coaching. They're high IQ players, and want to be good, and want to be challenged at the highest levels. They're all in. In every way, they're great communicators and never say a wrong word to the team or in the locker room setting. They don't complain. It's just when you get those kinds of leaders, you know, only good things can happen, and then you combine it with unbelievable leadership in Mich and Shir, and the other people that are have been in your program all that time. When the culture piece fits with the talent level, it really can add to the success of your program.

Q. There are a lot of logistics that go into a NCAA Tournament, part of the reason we call it "Madness" is the travel. You guys have to come across the country and now play at 8:30 in the morning Pacific Time. I know you have a lot of travel in the regular season. What kind of added challenge does that add to your team? And is that something you're going to talk to your players about kind of getting your body's ready for an early, early game?

COACH ETHRIDGE: And you add the time change, really like 7:30 to our bodies. So we work out mornings in the year. We're pretty accustomed to getting up and practicing early. I do think you have to be concerned and just catching up to the sleep in the right way. I think we were really tired on that first trip on Wednesday when we came, but you know you just try to get your kids to stay up all day at this point, and get a great night's sleep, and we got them up about time we eat tomorrow. Today, we did that even though we didn't really have to. Just do everything you can to simulate what a game day will look like. But again, I think we're fired up to be here. This is just the coolest experience we can offer our players. This is what they trained for. We need to live in it and be in the moment, and we don't have a complaint in the world.

Q. Just wondering what your thoughts are on the match up tomorrow in the game and Kansas State and especially obviously that center they have, what are your thoughts?

COACH ETHRIDGE: Congratulations to K-State, and Jeff and his staff and everything that they've done to get that program at this spot. And they're a hard matchup. Obviously, you want to think the Pac has prepared you for whatever you might face against another power conference school. Lee is a little bit unique. We haven't seen anyone like her, and certainly haven't seen anyone that scored 61 on someone. We're not real big, so it's a concern. We have to figure out ways to make life hard for her, but again, they're talented around her, and they're confident, and really great young players that have to feel really confident at this point in the season. And so we got to -- we can't change anything that we are. We just have to be who we are, and we have to trust this process has gotten us ready to play against K-State. We are going to do our best, and honestly, you just want your team to try to handle the nerves, and try to handle the moment, and really just go out there and have a lot of fun. And leave the court with no regrets.

Q. I heard you talking the other day about playing down the background with Kansas State. I'm wondering what's your initial reaction when you saw Kansas State pop up and your former team was like, oh gosh, of course they picked this matchup.

COACH ETHRIDGE: You know, I don't know if the NCAA knows or doesn't know histories of little peon coaches and stuff. I just think it's ironic. I mean that's the only thing I would say. Our players hardly even know half of our staff went to K-State or were at K-State and have no idea how many years we were there. I'm proud of what we accomplished at K-State when we were there. Loved that opportunity. And I think Jeff has done a great job. The Big 12 is amazing, and I think they've been great this year. I think everybody -- we can all have circles, how we touch other programs, and the connections that we have. Especially if have you been in the game this long, it's bound to happen. And again, I think this whole process has nothing to do with the coaches, it's just completely and totally our team and those 13 individuals I get to coach, and opportunity I get to have to coach them one more game. And I'm super excited and want to put them in the best position I possibly can to make sure they're successful.

Q. We all know you are part of that Texas team that one a national championship, so you have seen the sport grow so much in 30 years and seen the tournament change. You have a March Madness logo behind you for the first time. Can you give us some of your thoughts on how the game has changed in what you've seen?

COACH ETHRIDGE: I mean, gosh. Just no comparison to what it was. But, quite frankly, from last year to this year it's grown more in that one year, and some changes in the NCAA probably happened more that past year than it has in 20 years. And I also know there are ADs out there that believe in women's basket, and investing in women's basketball. And mine is one of them. And they're giving us every opportunity to succeed. And I think that's the difference. Many, many more programs are doing that. And now the NCAA is, kind of, on point. And there is transparency, there is some more accountability. And I think that's a great thing for what we're doing right now. The advertisement and selling out the spots. It just shows there is chance for growth, and chance for monetary growth. And, you know, it wouldn't have happened if we had not had the bubble. And so I think things like that happen for a reason, and we need to take advantage of it. And we need to keep the pressure on, but obviously I'm really proud of being given this opportunity at this high of level. So hopefully generations in the future are just going to enjoy kind of the growth that it continues to have and opportunities to market ourselves and grow the game to another level.