Question:
1. Katie, first off congrats on starting your 2nd All Star game. Who's the toughest opponent
you have faced this season?
Go Quest -- PA -- 1997/12/18 16:04
Answer:
San Jose is an upa and coming team. We always have trouble playing at their place and
they have a lot of talent and match up well with us.
Question:
Katie what is your favorite color?
Simon -- Manhattan -- 1997/12/18 16:05
Answer:
I don't have one favorite color, but nothing, too, too, bright.
Question:
Would you ever consider playing in the WNBA? My main reason for asking is because
Coach Darsh is there.
Adrienne -- Texas -- 1997/12/18 16:07
Answer:
The only reason I would think about going to the WNBA at this time if the ABL would,
for some reason, not exist anymore or there's a merger. I like the format that the ABL
uses, nothing against the WNBA, but I enjoy being an underdog as well. I wouldn't mind
playing for Nancy again, but right now I'm very, very happy playing here in Columbus
and I love playing with my current teammates and coach Agler
Question:
Are you married? if so, then how does your family feel about your ABL lifestyle?
Steph -- Miami -- 1997/12/18 16:12
Answer:
No I'm not married, I'm only 23. Perhaps someday.
Question:
How do you feel about the growing amount and quality of competition in the lower levels
of Women's Basketball?
Teresa -- Los Alamitos -- 1997/12/18 16:15
Answer: I think it's great for women's basketball and it's also great for the "so-called"
upper-level teams because you have to get motivated for every game. You can't take
nights off.
Question:
Are you ready for Saturday's game?
Anne -- Mansfield -- 1997/12/18 16:15
Answer:
Yes, we're always excited to get on the floor again. If you've ever seen us play, you know
we have a lot of fun out there.
Question:
With the attendance figures in Columbus being so low, what can the team do to boost
that?
Tony316 -- Dayton -- 1997/12/18 16:20
Answer:
As far as our team goes, I don't think there's anything more we can do. We've been very
successful on the court. As players we try to do things with the fans like this chat session.
As the league grows, hopefully there will be more resources to advertise more and get the
word out about the talent and the game in the ABL.
Question:
Which players do you admire/respect most?
Joan Martin -- San Francisco -- 1997/12/18 16:20
Answer:
It's hard to pick just a few players, but I admire players who compete on the court, but off
the court, you respect each other and leave the fierce competitiveness on the court.
Question:
Who do you hang out with on your team? Other teams?
Joan Martin -- San Francisco -- 1997/12/18 16:23
Answer:
We have good chemistry on our team, we all hang out, but I do hang with Shannon
Johnson, Sonja Tate, and Jannon Roland a lot. But for the most part, we have a lot of fun
as a team. I am friends with Niesa Johnson of Long Beach, Edna Campbell and Crystal
Robinson of Colorado.
Question:
Is there a difference playing International ball (for the Oly.) as opposed to the ABL?
Go Quest -- PA -- 1997/12/18 16:17
Answer:
Int'l teams don't play as much one-on-one ball, they play more of a team concept. Int'l
ball is just as physical, but they're not as flashy as the players in the ABL, but they get the
job done in more fundamental ways.
Question:
Katie, you and your teammates always seem to be laughing and smiling, enjoying each
other. How did you develop such great
team chemistry?
rz -- Stanford -- 1997/12/18 16:23
Answer:
The people that coach Agler brought into our system, everyone is a good person and we
all want to succeed and win games, but we all know that it is just a game.
Question:
Do you think you'll ever go to a different ABL team?
JDD -- San Jose -- 1997/12/18 16:23
Answer:
Only if they move our whole team...coach and players to another city. That's the only
way.
Question:
Do you have any predictions for the Sugar Bowl?
Simon -- Manhattan -- 1997/12/18 16:23
Answer:
If the Buckeyes come to play, I think it will be a close game, but if they're not on their
game, it might be a long day.
Question:
how and when did you start playing basketball?
Colleen -- Tacoma -- 1997/12/18 16:23
Answer:
I started when I was in fifth grade and I started on a boys biddy basketball team.
Question:
How long do you see yourself being an active player?
killroy -- Essex -- 1997/12/18 16:04
Answer: Until my body gives in or I'm ready to get on with another part of my life such as
dental school.
Question:
Katie have you always worn the number 30?
Simon -- Manhattan -- 1997/12/18 16:28
Answer:
When I was a freshman in high school, I had worn 33 in prior years, but when I asked for
33, they didn't have it and the closest one was #30 and after I played my freshman year
and was successful, I stuck with it and the rest is history.
Question:
Do you think the ABL should expand interdivision play? you only come to west coast
twice!
JDD -- San Jose -- 1997/12/18 16:29
Answer:
It would be nice to play the Western Conference teams at least twice more. Playing
conference teams eight times, you tend to beat each up a lot.
Question:
When did you know you wanted to play professional basketball for a living? What advice
do you have for someone who wants to do the same?
Lindsy -- Boston -- 1997/12/18 16:32
Answer:
I never really thought about it until the league's came into play. I never really considered
going overseas. I thought about it, but not heavily. My advice would be hard work, but
make sure you take care of your education, the thing that can always be there for you.
Question:
Did you hear that Chris Farley died? How do you feel about that? (I noticed he was listed
as your favorite actor on the website.)
Jones -- Chicago -- 1997/12/18 16:34
Answer:
I hadn't heard that. That's a real shame to lose someone as talented as that. He really
knew how to make people laugh. Wow, here today, gone tomorrow, you just never know.
Question:
Is there a certain city you prefer to play in when the team is on the road?
Simon -- Manhattan -- 1997/12/18 16:30
Answer:
I enjoy all the Western Conference cities.
Question:
Are you going to be playing in the next Olympic games?
Joan Martin -- San Francisco -- 1997/12/18 16:30
Answer:
It's been my ultimate goal all along and something that I will continue to work towards
the next few years. I am really looking forward to going for the gold at the World
Championships next year.
Question:
Who do you predict will win the Big Ten in women's hoops this year? Are you surprised
at how well Wisconsin is playing?
Debbie -- Palo Alto -- 1997/12/18 16:33
Answer:
I think Illinois will win it, I'm real impressed with their team.
Question:
Who's the toughest player in the ABL to play against for you? What team scares you
when you think about the playoffs?
Lindsy -- Boston -- 1997/12/18 16:30
Answer:
We welcome any challenge in the playoffs, but we've got a long way to go until we even
get there, a lot could happen before then. We're going to try to continue to improve and
concentrate on our game and let chips fall.
Question:
What part of your game do you consider the strongest? After watching you play for nearly
six years (at OSU and now the Quest) I am amazed that you keep getting better and
better, when you are already phenomenal. How does one at your level keep getting
better?
Connie -- columbus -- 1997/12/18 16:32
Answer: My strongest part of my game is my versatility, I believe. At this level, the way
to get better is to maintain your physical skills, but master or keep working on your
mental preparation...to stay sharp mentally.
Question:
Could you rate the play of Angie Potthoff thus far?
Tony316 -- Dayton -- 1997/12/18 16:09
Answer:
I think Angie has been playing well for us. She's a real spark off the bench for us and the
best thing about her is that she's only going to get better.
Question:
It's great how everyone in the league is such a role model. As women's basketball
becomes more popular, do you foresee the same problems appearing that the men's teams
face (ie. drugs, arrests, greed)?
Joan Martin -- San Francisco -- 1997/12/18 16:42
Answer:
I hope not, but if the league's exist in the future and it becomes more lucrative for the
players, I see that some of those same problems might happen, just as in society in
general. But I hope women can keep the purity of the sport and stay in touch with
the reason that we are out there...for the fans.
Question:
I just want to say that you have some very devoted fans here in San Jose. We think you
are an amazing talent and we look forward to seeing you in the playoffs out here.
Jennifer -- San Jose -- 1997/12/18 16:42
Answer:
Thank you for the support. We need all the help we can get out there!
Question:
I saw a quote from another player last week that accused the Quest of being a dirty team.
What's that all about?
Tony316 -- Dayton -- 1997/12/18 16:46
Answer:
I don't know what that's about, but I think they are associating competiveness with being
dirty. But when you're on top, everyone looks for something to bring you down.
Question:
Katie,what's your reaction to the 4 players from the Quest going to the All Star Team? I
feel like I'm going to be seeing a Quest game:)
Go Quest -- PA -- 1997/12/18 16:36
Answer:
I think it's great. With our record over the last two seasons, I think it's a tribute to our
whole team and coaches. I'm very excited for Val and Shannon going for the first time. It
won't be like a Quest game. With players like Edwards, Staley, Jones, ect. there are
plenty of All-Stars to go around.
Question:
Coach Agler seems like an intense coach. What is he like away from the court?
Simon -- Manhattan -- 1997/12/18 16:37
Answer:
He's not real talkative off the court, but he does have a sense of humor and is laid back.
Question:
Katie, how exciting was it for you to reach the 1,000 pt milestone in the league.
Simon -- Manhattan -- 1997/12/18 16:33
Answer:
It's an accomplishment that I am proud of, but its just a fraction of my goal this year and
that is to repeat as ABL Champs. I hope there are many more thousands.
Question:
What happened between you and Katrina McClain last night, things get a little heated?
Go Quest -- PA -- 1997/12/18 16:23
Answer:
All in the name of competition.
Question:
Hi Katie.
Jenn & Melissa's Dad -- San Jose, CA -- 1997/12/18 16:53
Answer:
Hi. Go ABL.
Question:
What do you like to do when you're not playing basketball? What movies/musics do you
particularly like?
Joan Martin -- San Francisco -- 1997/12/18 16:52
Answer:
I enjoy shopping and I do enjoy music (R&B, alternative, rap). I like books by James
Patterson. As far as movies go, it depends on what mood I'm in.
Question:
Do you get on the internet often to check out the various Quest webpages?
Go Quest -- PA -- 1997/12/18 16:52
Answer:
At the moment, I do not have a computer at home. It's difficult with our tough schedule.
Question:
Who is your biggest non-sports hero or role model (other than parents)?
Jennifer -- San Jose -- 1997/12/18 16:51
Answer:
My grandmother (sorry, I know that family too, but she has been a tremendous role
model for me).
Question:
Hi Katie. I just wanted to thank you for being so kind to my daughter Jennifer, when she
asked you to sign last year's Quest playoff poster (when you were in San Jose the first
time this year). You made such an impression on her, she asked for a Katie Smith jersey
for Christmas. It's a hunch, but I think Santa will deliver. Anyway, any word on how
Carla McGhee is doing? Merry Christmas!!!!
Jenn & Melissa's Dad -- San Jose, CA -- 1997/12/18 16:55
Answer:
That's what it's all about. Not sure about Carla's status.
Question:
Do you think that it is an advantage playing in Columbus since you went to OSU?
Adrienne -- Texas -- 1997/12/18 16:49
Answer:
It's a joy to play here. I feel very comfortable here and perhaps that translates to the
playing floor.
Question:
What city are you in right now?
Colleen -- Tacoma -- 1997/12/18 16:47
Answer:
I am at home in Columbus.
Question:
How often you work out. What does your exercise regimen include?
Joan Martin -- San Francisco -- 1997/12/18 17:00
Answer:
During the season we either have a game or have practice every day. We try to lift
weights once or twice a week. In the off-season, the workout regimen is much greater
than now.
Question:
Who is your favorite character on Tekken?
Simon -- Manhattan -- 1997/12/18 17:04
Answer:
Law. That's the only one I can win with!
Question:
Katie, I thought it was really nice of you to sponser that team at the Atlanta game, you
sure made their day:)
Go Quest -- PA -- 1997/12/18 17:03
Answer:
A lot of my teammates have tried to sponsor groups for kids that wouldn't normally get to
come to a game. It really does make us feel good and I know the kids enjoy it. Again,
that's what it's all about.
Question:
Missy's, Dad, LEO, wants to know, where's the blue mouth peice?:)
Go Quest -- PA -- 1997/12/18 17:05
Answer:
I still have it, but I changed to the clear one for a different look. But if I start to struggle,
I'm gonna put that blue one back in.
Question:
This concludes this session of ABL Live Chat-thanks for your participation...A few final
thoughts from Katie Smith:
Webmaster - ABL -- -- 1997/12/18 16:53
Answer:
Thanks for chatting with me. I enjoyed it. I hope to see you all at some ABL games this
season and in the future. Go Quest!
Go ABL! Bye.