>> THIS PROGRAM IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MEMBERS OF WCNY.

THANK YOU.

>> COMING UP ON "GAMECHANGERS," COACH JACK AND I BREAK DOWN RECENT MATCHUPS AGAINST WAKE FOREST, VIRGINIA TECH AND VIRGINIA.

WE'LL GET TO KNOW JUNIOR GUARD ANGELICA VELEZ.

AND THE TEAM SHARPENS THEIR SKILLS IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA IN A PRACTICE PRESS CONFERENCE.

THEN WE'LL LEARN MORE ABOUT SCHOOL DAY; A SPECIAL GAME DAY EXPERIENCE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF ORANGE FANS.

AND FINALLY, WE'LL PREVIEW UPCOMING ACC GAMES AGAINST STANFORD AND NORTH CAROLINA.

>> EVERY DAY YOU SHAPE THEIR SKILLS, THEIR CONFIDENCE, AND NOW THEIR FINANCIAL FUTURE.

INTRODUCING BANK OF AMERICA ADVANTAGE SAFE BALANCE BANKING FOR FAMILY BANKING; A PARENT OWNED BANK ACCOUNT, A HANDS ON BANKING EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR CHILD.

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WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE POWER TO DO?

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♪ ♪ >> A COUPLE OF HOME GAMES AGO, BIG WIN OVER WAKE FOREST.

FIRST HALF BACK AND FORTH, TIGHTLY CONTESTED.

SECOND HALF YOUR TEAM PULLED AWAY.

WHAT DID YOU MANAGE TO DO TO PULL AWAY ON THAT ONE?

>> WAKE FOREST IS A DIFFERENT TEAM FROM LAST YEAR.

THEY'RE VERY, VERY GOOD.

I LOVE THEIR COACH.

I LOVE WHAT SHE DOES.

WE TRY TO PLAY THEM PLAYER ON PLAYER AND THEY HAD SO MANY HITS AND BACKDOORS AND HAMMER PLAYS AND PINCH POSTINGS.

THAT I'M LIKE WHOA, WHOA, THIS IS REALLY CHALLENGING OUR DEFENSE.

AND WE WENT TO OUR MATCHUP AND IT KIND OF SLOWED THEM DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

BUT IT ALSO SLOWED US DOWN IN OUR THINKING PROCESS SO WE ONLY NEEDED TO CONCENTRATE ON THE OFFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL, MORE SO THAN DEFENSE AS WELL.

AND ON THE SECOND HALF WE WERE ABLE TO FLY AROUND THE FLOOR OFFENSIVELY.

>> YOUR TEAM HELD WAKE FOREST SCORELESS FOR NEARLY SIX MINUTES.

HOW MUCH OF YOUR OFFENSE IS PREDICATED ON WHAT YOU DO DEFENSIVELY?

>> I JUST THINK THAT WE ARE A DEFENSIVE TEAM, AND HOW WE FEEL DEFENSIVELY, IT MAKES US FEEL BETTER OFFENSIVELY.

WE DEFEND AGAINST EACH OTHER IN PRACTICE.

YOU HAVE TO STOP THREE TIMES IN A ROW.

THEN WE GO INTO THE NEXT GROUP, GET AN OPPORTUNITY.

AND OFFENSIVELY YOU CAN THROW THE BALL.

IT'S JUST A SHOT YOU TAKE IN PRACTICE.

WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

SO I THINK DEFENSE TO ME, IGNITES OUR OFFENSE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FOUR-TIME ACC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK AND ALSO A NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK UCHE IZOJE.

SHE HAD 18 POINTS AND 12 REBOUNDS IN THAT POINT.

HOW HAS SHE BE ABLE TO ACCLIMATE TO THE COLLEGE GAME, THE AMERICAN GAME SO QUICKLY?

>> THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE PEOPLE SHE CONNECTS WITH ON A DAILY BASIS.

HER TEAMMATES.

THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT WE STAND FOR HERE AND NO MATTER HOW HIGH YOU ARE AS A PLAYER OR EVEN A STUDENT, YOU ARE JUST A SISTER TO THEM.

YOU ARE JUST AN ORANGE SISTER.

AND THEY CONNECT ON THAT LEVEL.

YOU HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THIS IS A LADY WHO HAS NOT SEEN HER MOM IN EIGHT YEARS, OR HER FAMILY.

SO WE ARE HER FAMILY.

THEY GET ON HER HARD.

SHE GETS MAD AT THEM.

THEY FIGHT.

AND THEY GIVE HER THAT SENSE OF FAMILY ON A DAILY BASIS.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHY SHE IS ABLE TO GO OUT THERE AND SHINE BRIGHT BECAUSE SHE FEELS LIKE SHE IS HOME AND THAT'S WHAT WE BRING HERE AT SYRACUSE.

>> YOU ARE A FEW GAMES INTO CONFERENCE PLAY NOW AND NO ACC SLATE WILL GO WITHOUT CHALLENGES.

>> OH GOSH.

>> HOME GAME AGAINST VIRGINIA TECH.

NOT THE PERFORMANCE YOU WANTED TO SEE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED TO THAT GAME?

>> LIFE HAPPENED.

YOU KNOW, WE WENT THROUGH SOME THINGS AS A TEAM AND TO ME, THAT WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING ELSE AT THE MOMENT.

IT TOOK US AWAY FROM OUR ROUTINE.

IT TOOK US AWAY FROM OUR FOCUS.

IT TOOK US AWAY FROM THE ENERGY THAT I USUALLY BRING AT THE BEGINNING AND WE HAVE LEARNED LESSONS FROM THAT.

AND TO SAY THAT VIRGINIA TECH WAS THE BETTER TEAM.

LET'S GET THAT OUT THERE.

BUT THE LESSONS WE LEARNED PRIOR TO THAT GAME AND AFTER THAT GAME WAS MORE VALUABLE TO THE LIFE LESSONS FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE THAN THE ACTUAL SCORE OF THAT GAME.

>> THE FOLLOWING GAME, UVA, IN A TOUGH PLACE TO PLAY AGAINST A VERY GOOD TEAM, HOW DO YOU CHANNEL THE LESSONS FROM THAT VIRGINIA TECH GAME AND APPLY THEM ON THE ROAD IN CHARLOTTESVILLE?

>> WE GOT TOUGHER.

WE GOT LOCKED INTO OUR FOCUS AND WE MADE IT ABOUT THE GROWTH THAT WE ARE TRYING TO GROW FROM AS A TEAM, NOT NECESSARILY FROM VIRGINIA OR OUR NEXT GAME OR THE NEXT GAME.

I THOUGHT WE BEAT VIRGINIA TWO DAYS PRIOR.

WE BEAT THEM THE NEXT DAY.

WENT TO THE SHOOT AROUND.

I THOUGHT AT 7:30 IN THE MORNING ON GAME DAY-- I THOUGHT WE WOULD BEAT THEM FOR THE THIRD TIME.

AND THE FOURTH TIME CAME, I THOUGHT WE SHOWED A LACK OF FAITH IN OUR WORK ETHIC.

AND AT HALFTIME WE WERE DOWN BY SIX AND WE REALLY GOT AFTER THEM IN A WAY THAT I HAVEN'T IN A LONG TIME.

AND THEY ANSWERED THE CALL.

THEY ANSWERED THE CALL AND, YOU KNOW, LAILA PHELIA WAS JUST SENSATIONAL.

>> FANTASTIC ADJECTIVE.

I LIKE TO CALL HER THE PHENOMENAL LAILA PHELIA.

38 POINTS, A CAREER HIGH.

WHAT WAS WORKING FOR HER THROUGHOUT THE GAME?

BECAUSE SHE WAS DOING IT FROM ALL THREE LEVELS.

SHE WAS PICKING HER SPOTS.

WHAT DID YOU SEE AS A COACH THAT ALLOWED HER TO HAVE SO MUCH SUCCESS?

>> PERMISSION.

SHE HAD PERMISSION.

YOU KNOW, HERE IS A KID THAT WENT TO A FINAL FOUR, SWEET 16, ELITE 8.

>> ALL CONFERENCE IN THE BIG 10.

SHE HAS DONE IT ALL.

AND SO WE SAID SHOW US YOUR SHOW US.

AND THEN WE TALKED TO HER PRIOR TO THE GAME TWO DAYS BEFORE THE GAME WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT MAYBE YOU ARE CONTENT.

MAYBE THIS IS ALL YOU NEED-- NO MATTER WHAT, YOU ARE ALWAYS GOING HAVE THAT.

AND HAVING YOU DO THAT WITH US, MAYBE THAT'S NOT WHAT YOUR INTEREST IS.

AND WE CHALLENGED HER AND SHE RESPONDED ACCORDINGLY.

THAT AGGRESSION, THE ENTHUSIASM OF PURPOSE, THE LOOK IN HER EYES, SAID SHE ACTUALLY WANTS MORE.

AND SHE IS GOING TO GET MORE WITH US.

>> I THINK IT'S A PERFECT SEGUE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID IN THE POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE.

>> I'M NOT HERE TO BE FRIENDS WITH 17 AND 23 YEAR OLDS.

I'M HERE TO PUSH YOU TOWARDS YOUR DREAMS SO YOU CAN FIND SOME WINGS AND FLY.

>> WHAT COMPELLED YOU TO HAVE THAT MESSAGE POST GAME IN THAT MOMENT?

>> ALL THE PLAYERS AT BUFFALO AND PLACES I HAVE COACHED IN THE PAST WERE LIKE, ABOUT TIME.

IT'S ABOUT TIME YOU SAID THAT BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY TO POUR INTO THEM LIKE A WOMAN, NOT THEIR FRIEND.

BUT AN ADULT THAT SAYS YOU WILL BE ENOUGH.

YOU HAVE IT IN YOU, YOU NEED TO TRY.

YOU NEED TO FAIL.

YOU NEED TO TRY AGAIN.

>> HEY EVERYBODY, TODAY WE ARE GOING TO DO A PRESS CONFERENCE TO HELP SOME OF OUR TEAMMATES WORK ON MEDIA.

AS A TEAM WE ARE GOING TO HELP EACH OTHER AND GIVE EACH OTHER FEEDBACK TO BE CONFIDENT IN WHAT THEY SAY.

>> I'M DOMINIQUE DARIUS WORKING FOR ESPN.

THIS IS FOR AURORA.

YOU BRING EXPERIENCE FROM A PREVIOUS ACC PROGRAM IN MIAMI.

HOW HAS IT HELPED YOU CONTRIBUTE HERE?

>> ALL OF THEM LOOKING AT ME MADE ME LAUGH.

>> THAT'S WHY IT'S FUN.

DON'T FOCUS ON EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM.

YOU WILL CONNECT WITH SOMEBODY WHO IS CONNECTING WITH YOU.

>> BEING IN THE ACC FOR LIKE THREE YEARS FROM NOW, CHANGING TO SYRACUSE IS A DIFFERENT WAY TO PLAY AND DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT.

WE FOCUS MOST ON THE DEFENSIVE END.

>> NICE AURORA.

>> I'M SORRY.

I ZONED OUT.

CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION, PLEASE.

>> HOW IMPORTANT IS TRANSITION PLAY TO YOUR OVERALL GAME PLAN?

>> TRANSITION IS VERY BIG FOR OUR TEAM.

I SAY WE LIKE TO MOVE REALLY FAST SO THAT-- YEAH, WAIT.

I FORGOT WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY.

>> THE TEAM HAS NOW LOST THREE STRAIGHT GAMES BUT SOME OF YOUR BEST OUTINGS HAPPENED THIS SEASON.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT HOW YOU ARE PLAYING RIGHT NOW?

>> WE ARE GIVING OUR BEST EFFORT ON THE COURT.

LOSING THREE STRAIGHT GAMES ISN'T THE END OF THE WORLD.

THE NEXT GAME WE GOT WE ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO PICK IT UP IN THE NEXT GAME.

>> I LIKE THAT ANSWER BECAUSE YOU FOCUSED MORE ON THE TEAM'S EFFORTS AND WHAT THE TEAM IS GOING TO DO RATHER THAN WHAT YOU ARE DOING AS AN INDIVIDUAL.

>> CAN I GET DOM UP THERE AND SOPHIE UP THERE.

>> COMING FROM PLAYING IN JAPAN, WHAT HAS THE ADJUSTMENT BEEN LIKE PLAYING IN SYRACUSE?

>> FOR ME TO LIKE-- OH MY... WHY IS IT NOT COMING OUT?

>> PERFORM ON THE COURT.

>> LIKE PERFORM ON THE COURT.

IT'S GOING REALLY GREAT.

>> THAT'S WHY WE PRACTICE IT.

>> DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY FEEDBACK OR ADVICE THEY WOULD LIKE TO SHARE FROM THEIR EXPERIENCES DOING MEDIA?

>> LOOK STRAIGHT UP AND BE CONFIDENT AND PROJECT.

>> IF YOU IF IT IS A NEGATIVE QUESTION, REDIRECT IT TO A POSITIVE ACCEPT THE COMPLIMENT AND GIVE IT BACK TO YOUR TEAM.

IT'S NEVER ABOUT THEM.

IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT US.

IT'S NEVER ABOUT US BEING NERVOUS BUT TELLING OUR STORY.

YOU TELLING YOUR STORY IS GOING TO IMPACT THEIR LIVES.

>> READ THE QUESTION.

>> WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO EAT LATER TONIGHT?

>> I'M GOING TO EAT THE FOOD OYIN COOKED.

>> SO TELL ME WHAT MAKES O'S FOOD SO GOOD?

>> SAY IT.

>> WHAT MAKES-- SHE MAKES THE FOOD SO GOOD AND SPICY, MAKES YOU LIKE-- AND I'M HUNGRY.

[LAUGHTER] >> MY NAME IS KEIRA SCOTT.

I'M A SOPHOMORE AND I'M A FORWARD/WING.

THE MERCYHURST GAME WAS A SPECIAL GAME AT THE DOME.

IT WAS KIDS DAY OR SCHOOL DAY SO ALL OF THE KIDS IN THE DISTRICT GET TO COME TO OUR BASKETBALL GAME AND IT FILLS UP PRETTY MUCH THE WHOLE FIRST SECTION AND SECOND SECTION OF THE STANDS.

HAVING THE ENERGY FROM THE KIDS JUST REALLY HELPED US HAVE, LIKE PUT A SMILE ON OUR FACES.

EVERY SINGLE TIME WE DID SOMETHING GOOD, THE WHOLE CROWD WAS GOING CRAZY AND THEY HAD A SUPER POSITIVE REACTION AND THAT ENERGY SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE DOME PRETTY MUCH.

GROWING UP I DID GO TO A LOT OF BASKETBALL GAMES.

I GREW UP IN THE D.M.V.

AREA WENT TO A LOT OF MARYLAND GAMES, GEORGETOWN, GEORGE MASON.

I THOUGHT THIS IS THE LEVEL I WANT TO PLAY AT.

I LOVE THIS ENERGY.

I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW FAR I WAS AWAY FROM THAT STEP.

BUT NOW BEING IN THOSE SHOES AND LIKE LOOKING AT OTHER KIDS, I THINK THE BIGGEST THING OUR TEAM WANTS TO DO IS TO BE AN INSPIRATION TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE YOUNG KIDS THAT DO PLAY BASKETBALL AND WANT TO GET TO THE LEVEL THAT WE PLAY AT.

>> I REMEMBER SHE TRIED TO DUNK AND SHE GOT THE RIM STUFFED.

BUZZER BEATER, I THINK TO GO INTO HALFTIME.

SHE CHUCKED IT UP.

AND I THOUGHT NO WAY SHE SHOT THAT SHOT.

AND IT WENT IN.

I PUT MY HANDS UP.

OH MY GOD.

AND WE ALL RAN.

WHEN MADDIE GOT THE BALL, I THOUGHT THAT'S GOING IN.

I THINK EVERY SHOT SHE SHOOTS IS GOING TO GO IN.

A DOUBLE-DOUBLE IS HAVING MORE THAN DOUBLE FIGURES IN MORE THAN ONE CATEGORY, SO IN THE MERCY GAME I HAD DOUBLE FIGURES IN POINTS AND REBOUNDS AND IT WAS MY FIRST DOUBLE DOUBLE OF MY CAREER.

IT WAS A GOOD DEALING.

A MILESTONE THAT I ALWAYS WANTED TO HIT.

MY TEAMMATES WERE TELLING ME, KEIRA YOU NEED ONE MORE REBOUND, ONE MORE POINT.

I WAS OUT OF BREATH TRYING TO GET THE REBOUNDS DURING THE GAME, BUT IT FELT GREAT AT THE END.

I'M GLAD I HAD A SUPPORT SYSTEM TO CELEBRATE WITH ME.

YEAH, HAVING THE AUDIENCE THERE TO WITNESS THAT, TOO, IS A GREAT THING.

(SO INSPIRED.

[ CHEERING ] HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

>> I THINK THE COMMUNITY IS ONE THING THAT DEFINITELY ATTRACTED ME TO SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, FOR SURE, AND JUST KNOWING THAT ME AND MY TEAM WERE GIVING THEM EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN FROM A BASKETBALL STANDPOINT AND FROM A COMMUNITY STANDPOINT BECAUSE THEY FEED SO MUCH INTO US ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO PUT ON A SHOW FOR THEM ON THE COURT AND OFF THE COURT WE ARE SHOWING OUR FACES AND REPRESENTING SYRACUSE AS WELL.

>> ANGELICA VELEZ OR GELLO AS YOU ARE AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN, AROUND THESE PARTS.

TAKE ME TO THE START OF YOUR BASKETBALL JOURNEY.

GROWING UP IN THE BRONX I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AROUND SPORTS.

MY FIRST SPORT WAS FOOTBALL, QUARTERBACK FOR THE BRONX STEELERS.

I PICKED UP THE BASKETBALL.

I WAS AT THE PARK PLAYING BASKETBALL WITH THE BOYS.

>> I HAVE TO GET MORE ON THE FOOTBALL STORY.

WAS IT A BOYS TEAM?

>> I PLAYED 11 U. I DON'T KNOW.

ONE DAY I JUST WENT TO THEIR TRYOUTS AND I MADE THE TEAM.

I TOLD MY DAD LIKE I WANT TO PLAY FOOTBALL.

PLEASE LET ME PLAY.

I REMEMBER WE HAD OUR FIRST SCRIMMAGE.

I WAS NERVOUS AS HECK BUT I PLAYED QUARTERBACK AND SAFETY.

ONCE I WAS ON DEFENSE AND I GOT A TACKLE, YO POPS, I TACKLED A BOY.

LIKE I ALWAYS WAS AROUND BOYS AND PLAYED SPORTS WITH BOYS.

THAT'S HOW I GOT MY TOUGHNESS.

>> WE COULD HAVE USED A QUARTERBACK THIS YEAR.

SO MAYBE IF WE EVER ARE IN A SITUATION LIKE THAT AGAIN, YOU MIGHT BE READY TO TRY OUT AGAIN AND PUT THE SHOULDER PADS BACK ON.

>> I'M WITH IT.

I'M WITH IT.

I LOVE FOOTBALL.

I WATCH IT ALL THE TIME.

>> AT WHAT POINT DID YOU START TAKING BASKETBALL MORE SERIOUSLY.

>> I MET COACH DOM WHEN I WAS 11.

AND THEN I PLAYED BASKETBALL IN SIXTH GRADE.

I WAS PLAYING FOR FUN.

MY VACATION IN LIFE.

GROWING UP IN THE BRONX, I DIDN'T GET TO EXPERIENCE A LOT.

SO BASKETBALL ALLOWED ME TO SEE THE WORLD.

AND DOING WHAT I LOVE WHILE I WAS DOING THAT WAS A BIG BONUS.

>> BEING FROM NEW YORK CITY, FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW, IT'S A SPECIAL KIND OF GUARD.

IT'S A DIFFERENT BRAND OF BASKETBALL ALMOST.

HOW HAS BEING FROM THE CITY SORT OF SHAPED YOUR BASKETBALL IDENTITY AND PLAY STYLE.

>> IT SHAPES ME BECAUSE I'M SO FIERY.

I GET THAT ATTITUDE, THE BRONX ATTITUDE.

MY FLASHINESS FROM THE BRONX, LIKE MY SWAG.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN IT.

>> I'VE SEEN SOME OF THAT FLASH BEHIND THE BACK PASS YOU HAD IN THE AUBURN GAME.

SO THAT QUARTERBACK BACKGROUND, A LOT OF PASSING THE BALL, OF COURSE YOU ARE A POINT GUARD HERE.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE THE ONE SETTING YOUR TEAMMATES UP?

>> FOR SURE.

THAT'S WHAT GETS ME GOING.

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME SCORING.

IF I GET MY TEAMMATES INVOLVED, IT MAKES ME FEEL BETTER.

I LOVE MAKING OTHER PEOPLE BETTER.

>> START OF YOUR JOURNEY, YOU WENT TO LSU.

WHAT TOOK YOU TO SYRACUSE?

WHAT MADE YOU TRANSER TO SYRACUSE?

>> COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, SYRACUSE WAS IN MY TOP TWO BETWEEN LSU AND SYRACUSE.

I REMEMBER GOING THE DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

COACH JACK WAS THE ONLY COACH I TALKED TO.

COMING INTO THE PORTAL, I SPOKE TO SYRACUSE AND I WAS JUST SO FAMILIAR WITH THEM, KNOWING EVERYBODY ON THE STAFF, KNOWING WHAT COACH JACK BRINGS, THERE WAS NO OTHER PLACE I COULD SEE MYSELF.

I KNEW AS SOON AS COACH CASEY PICKED UP THE PHONE, I DON'T KNOW.

I GOT CHILLS: I WANTED TO COME ON SPOT.

BUT I HAD VISITS.

>> SOME THINGS JUST MADE SENSE.

>> TIME TO COME HOME FINAL.

>> I HOW THAT YOU ARE HOME, HOW HAS YOUR SYRACUSE EXPERIENCE BEEN?

>> IT'S GREAT.

LIKE THE PEOPLE, THE FANS, YOU KNOW, THE COACHES, TEAMMATES, THE JOURNEY HAS BEEN EVERYTHING IT NEEDED TO BE.

LAST YEAR WAS A TOUGH YEAR FOR US BUT LIKE I HAVE TAKEN SO MUCH FROM THAT YEAR AND GROWN AND LEARNED AND NOW WITH THE TEAM WE HAVE, I FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN THE REST OF THE SEASON.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LESSONS YOU LEARNED FROM LAST YEAR THAT YOU HAVE NOW BROUGHT INTO THE NEW SEASON?

>> I THINK JUST UNDERSTANDING THAT IT'S A JOURNEY, LIKE, YOU KNOW, MY STEPS ARE ALREADY ALIGNED AND JUST GOING EVERY DAY, GIVING EVERYTHING I GOT, NO MATTER IF IT'S IN SCHOOL, OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL IN MY COMMUNITY, ON THE COURT, JUST TAKING THINGS DAY BY DAY AND JUST EMPTYING THE BUCKET AND GIVING EVERYTHING I GOT AND EVERYTHING WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS TEAM.

YOU ARE ONE OF THE RETURNERS.

THERE WERE A BUNCH OF NEWCOMERS AS WELL.

SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE SUCH A CONNECTED GROUP.

HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE SO QUICKLY.

>> WE ALL HAVE THE SAME GOAL.

WE ALL WANT TO WIN.

IT'S NOT ABOUT ANY INDIVIDUAL.

IT'S ABOUT THE TEAM AND LIKE WE'VE DEVELOPED A SISTERHOOD THAT I BELIEVE IS REALLY STRONG AND SPECIAL.

AND WE JUST WANT TO SEE EACH OTHER WIN.

WE WANT BEST FOR EACH OTHER.

IT'S NOT ABOUT WHOSE NIGHT IT IS.

SOPHIE COULD BE GETTING 30 AND SOMEBODY HAVING A BAD NIGHT BUT YO, MY SISTER IS GOING OFF.

I DON'T CARE ABOUT ME.

WE ALL HAVE THE SAME GOAL IN MIND AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES US SO SPECIAL.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK BACK ON YOUR SYRACUSE JOURNEY, WHEN YOU LOOK BACK ON YOUR BASKETBALL JOURNEY, WHAT DO YOU THINKUAL TAKE AWAY FROM THIS PLACE?

>> THAT'S KIND OF A BIG QUESTION.

THERE IS SO MUCH I'M GOING TO TAKE AWAY FROM SYRACUSE.

LIKE THIS IS MY HOME.

THIS BECAME MY HOME.

I FELL IN LOVE WITH SYRACUSE.

I'M GOING TO MISS THE FANS; MY COACHES, MY TEAMMATES, BUT I KNOW I'M GOING TO MAKE SO MANY MEMORIES THAT WHEN I COME BACK, WHEN I'M, YOU KNOW, LIKE 50-- HOWEVER OLD I AM AND I THINK WE GET TO SEE A BANNER, THAT'S GOING TO BE REAL SPECIAL.

>> BEFORE WE GET TOO DEEP INTO THE BASKETBALL, I KNOW ONE OF THE MANTRAS FOR YOUR TEAM IS CHARACTER, ACADEMICS BASKETBALL.

WE ARE HERE AT THE START OF THE NEW SEMESTER.

THIS MOST RECENT SEMESTER, THE TEAM FINISHED WITH A CUMULATIVE 3.62 G.P.A.

HOW PROUD ARE YOU OF THIS GROUP?

>> WE WORK HARD.

THESE ARE LADIES THAT WE GO AFTER YOUNG PEOPLE THAT UNDERSTAND WHAT WE STAND FOR AND IN THIS NEW AGE OF THE WAY YOU RECRUIT, YOU JUST WANT TO WIN TO SAVE YOUR JOB AND ALL THOSE FUN THINGS.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I'M IN THE BUSINESS OF TRYING TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT YOU PUT BETWEEN YOUR EARS HAS TO SUSTAIN YOU FOR THE NEXT 70 PLUS YEARS OF YOUR LIFE AND THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO MY MOM.

WHEN SHE SENT ME TO SYRACUSE A COUPLE YEARS AGO, WHEN I WAS A STUDENT ATHLETE AND I STICK WITH THAT AND I REALLY HOLD OUR PLAYERS ACCOUNTABLE.

I THINK THE PARENTS OF THESE YOUNG LADIES THAT COME PLAY FOR ME ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

AND THESE YOUNG LADIES REALLY, IN A TIME OF TRAVEL AND THINGS THAT THEY DO, THEY TOOK THE ACADEMIC SIDE SERIOUS.

I HAD TWO YOUNG LADIES WITH A 4.0.

ONE WITH A.THE 3.93 MAJORING IN REPUTABLE MAJORS.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT WHERE THESE YOUNG LADIES ARE GOING TO BE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS OF THEIR LIVES BECAUSE I KNOW THEY'RE GETTING A QUALITY EDUCATION AT SYRACUSE.

>> STANFORD COMES TO TOWN, A PROGRAM WITH A RICH TRADITION AND RICH LEGACY.

HOW EXCITED ARE YOU ABOUT THE CHALLENGE.

>> I'M ALWAYS EXCITED ABOUT THE CHALLENGE OF LEARNING FROM THIS GAME.

AND STANFORD ABSOLUTELY HAS RICH TRADITION AND THE ASSISTANT COACH HAS BEEN WITH TARA FOREVER.

AND NOW SHE IS THE HEAD COACH.

THEY HAVE THE SAME SYSTEM.

THE SAME PEDIGREE.

THE SAME ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND THE SAME TALENT.

SO WE HAVE OUR HANDS FULL, RIGHT.

WE HAVE TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT WE CAN'T PLAY STANFORD.

WE HAVE TO PLAY FOR SYRACUSE AND WHAT WE STAND FOR.

AND IF WE CAN GIVE OUR BEST VERSION OF OURSELVES, WE'LL FIND OUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AT THE END OF THE 40 PLUS MINUTES OF THE GAME.

>> IT WILL BE FUN.

GIRL SCOUTS DAY IN THE DOME.

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO ALL THE YOUNG LADIES OUT THERE, ALL THE GIRLS OUT THERE TO COME AND SEE YOUR TEAM PLAY.

>> YES, YOU CAN.

YOU ARE ENOUGH.

YOUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT.

DON'T LET ANYBODY PIGEON HOLE YOU YOUNG GIRLS TO THINK THAT YOU ARE NOT THE BEST FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT LIFE AUTOS IS EASY WHEN YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.

I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE FAN BASE, TOO.

THAT'S ALWAYS THE MOST EXCITING TIME FOR ME BECAUSE THE ENERGY IN THE ROOM AND THE THINGS THAT OUR KIDS FEEL WHEN THEY SEE YOUNG GIRLS THAT LOOK UP TO THEM AND WANT TO EMULATE THEM; HOW THEY PLAY AND PERFORM AS WELL.

SO I'M EXCITED, VERY EXCITED FOR MORE THAT THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

>> YEAH, AFTER THAT STANFORD GAME, YOUR TEAM WILL GO BACK ON THE ROAD AT NORTH CAROLINA.

THIS TEAM, THIS GROUP HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL ON THE ROAD IN CONFERENCE PLAY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS KEYED YOUR ABILITY TO GO OUT AND TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE IN ANY ARENA IN THE COUNTRY THIS YEAR?

>> THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

ANY PLACE, ANY TIME.

I WANT TO SHOW THE WORLD WHAT MY DREAMS LOOK LIKE IN MY EYES AND HOW DO I GET TO DO THAT?

GIVE ME 94 FEET, THREE OFFICIALS AND ANOTHER TEAM, WHEREVER THAT MAY BE.

AT HOME, AWAY, AT THE PARK.

I REALLY WANT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU PUT THOSE SNEAKERS ON AND IT'S YOUR LOVE AND WHAT YOU WANT TO EMBRACE AS SOMETHING THAT YOU STAND FOR AS YOUR DREAM, SHOW THE WORLD YOUR BEST EFFORT.

YOU MIGHT MISS A SHOT.

YOU MIGHT MISS A LAYUP OR YOU MIGHT TURN THE BALL OVER.

GUESS WHAT?

JUST GIVE YOUR BEST EFFORT SO THE WORLD CAN KNOW YOUR DREAMS MEAN EVERYTHING TO YOU.

SO WE GO ON THE ROAD.

WE PLAY 'EM AT HOME.

WE ARE GOING TO HOPEFULLY GIVE OUR BEST EFFORT.

>> ONCE AGAIN, THE BANK OF AMERICA HARD HAT IS BACK OUT AND MAKING AN APPEARANCE ON "GAMECHANGERS."

AFTER THE WAKE FOREST GAME, LAILA PHELIA WAS AWARDED THE HARD HAT.

WHAT DID SHE DO TO EARN IT ON THAT DAY.

>> SHE IS PLAYING FREE.

SHE IS HAVING FUN.

SHE IS ON THE LIGHTS AND EVERYBODY IS HANGING OUT AND SHE IS MAKING JOKES AND SHE IS DOING VIDEOS AND SHE IS HAVING-- IN MY OPINION, THE BEST TIME OF HER LIFE.

AND IT SHOWS WHEN SHE GETS ON THAT BASKETBALL COURT.

SO SHE IS NOT A FLUKE WHY SHE IS THE BANK OF AMERICA HARD HAT RECIPIENT BECAUSE SHE IS PLAYING FREE AND HER TEAMMATES ARE BUYING INTO IT AND THEY'RE FEEDING HER THE BALL AND THEY'RE GETTING HER REBOUNDS AND GETTING IT BACK OUT TO HER.

LAILA PHELIA IS JUST PURE JOY.

SO IT'S A NEAT-- IT'S REALLY NEAT WHEN SHE GETS THESE ACCOLADES BECAUSE SHE IS THE ONE KID THAT DON'T WANT THEM.

SHE IS LIKE NO, IT'S ABOUT THE TEAM.

YEAH, IT'S ABOUT THE TEAM BUT BECAUSE WE ARE ON YOUR SHOULDER, WE CAN BECOME.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE ALL THOSE PEOPLE ON YOUR SHOULDER, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A HARD HAT.

>> LET'S GO!

THAT'S FUN.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT US TO HER.

>> BANK OF AMERICA HARD HAT PLUS 28, 17 POINTS FIVESTEALS, FOUR REBOUNDS, PUMP THREE-- YOU CAN'T HIT HER IN THE HEAD WITH THE THING.

(ALL SPEAKING AT ONCE).

[ CHEERING ] >> SAY WHAT YOU GO TO SAY.

>> YEAH, LET ME SAY-- >> SPEECH, SPEECH, SPEECH, SPEECH, SPEECH.

>> LET ME SAY I FEEL LIKE WE DID A GREAT JOB GOING OUT THERE AND WE EXECUTED WAS WE NEEDED TO EXECUTE AND GETTING THE BALL MOVEMENT AND EVERYTHING REALLY HELPED US AND I'M JUST VERY PROUD OF EVERYONE.

>> NICE JOB LADIES.

>> EVERY DAY YOU SHAPE THEIR SKILLS, THEIR CONFIDENCE, AND NOW THEIR FINANCIAL FUTURE.

INTRODUCING BANK OF AMERICA ADVANTAGE SAFE BALANCE BANKING FOR FAMILY BANKING, A PARENT OWNED BANK ACCOUNT, A HANDS ON BANKING EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR CHILD.

NO MONTHLY MAINTENANCE FEE UNTIL YOUR CHILD TURNS 25.

THEIR FIRST DEBIT CARD.

MOBILE AND ONLINE BANKING ACCESS.

FLEXIBLE PARENTAL CONTROLS RIGHT FROM WHERE YOU MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT.

SET SPENDING LIMITS.

MANAGE WHERE THEY MAKE PURCHASES.

VIEW THEIR ACCOUNT ACTIVITY.

WHEN THEY'RE READY, THEY CAN GROW INTO AN ACCOUNT THEY OWN.

THE SAME ACCOUNT AND DEBIT CARD NUMBERS WITH MORE FEATURES.

EACH STEP HELPS THEM ON THE PATH TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE POWERTO?

BANK OF AMERICA.

>> THIS PROGRAM IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MEMBERS OF WCNY.