Fire Training Camp Moves to University of Oregon
Over the weekend, Alex Sarama's expansion team took a road trip. Learn more in this piece.
Breaking up the monotony of WNBA training camp, the expansion Portland Fire changed things up this weekend.
After spending time at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, the home of the University of Oregon’s Final Four contending women’s basketball program, several Fire coaches and players spoke with the media.
This piece highlights quotes from head coach Alex Sarama, guard Kamiah Smalls, and guard Sarah Ashlee Barker.
Alex Sarama on the team’s most recent practice
“Today was actually our best practice we’ve had so far. I think the two days off really helped. Like, we came in, the focus was incredible, and we actually got through everything we had in the practice, which I was not expecting because we had a lot in there. Then we finished with some five on five stuff, and the transfer was incredible in terms of seeing all the stuff we’ve done in our small-sided games throughout the last week. It really shone through in the five on five, which was a great sign. So yeah, really proud of this group.”
Alex Sarama on moving training camp to Eugene
“Yeah, it’s really chemistry and connection, and that’s the whole reason you do an off-site training camp. Just even things like yesterday after dinner, we did our first team building, bonding stuff, and it’s just very hard to do that when you stay home for a camp. So these four days are going to be huge for us in terms of how we can build that chemistry off the court that will then translate to actually how we play offensively and defensively.”
Alex Sarama on expectations entering Wednesday’s preseason opener
“Yeah, I mean, really how I’m approaching the Wednesday game is an experiment. It’s going to be trying tons of different lineups, and obviously we still got a bunch of players still coming in who we haven’t seen yet. This is going to be about some experimentation. Obviously, when it comes to defense first, looking for transfer of some of the pick and roll covers that we put in, and then just how we can be disruptive defensively. Then offensively, really looking for really coherent spacing and then cover solutions. So, are we recognizing the covers that Seattle are in, and then getting to dominoes based on how they’re guarding us?”
Sarah Ashlee Barker on Alex Sarama’s unique training methods
“Yeah, definitely, I mean the training style is completely different, but I think it’s one of those things where you look at it and attack every single day, and you’re grateful for it. Being in uncomfortable positions is what’s going to help you get to the next level that you want to be at. If you’re not comfortable in practice then how can you face things in games that make you uncomfortable? So his thing is, ‘Hey, let’s try to make you so uncomfortable to the point to where when you get into a game, you’ve already seen it', so, that’s the whole point of his method and just what we’re trying to do here and build here. They want us to make mistakes. They want us to struggle. And that’s the whole point of sports. The whole point of sports is being able to fail, but then also see the progress along the way. So, that’s what you’re starting to see.”
Kamiah Smalls after her first day of practice with the Fire
Is it intimidating?
“Nah, nah, nah. You know, I’m here to do one thing that I’ve been doing for a very long time now. So, I’m coming in here confident. As confident as I can be in myself, bringing what I can bring to the team, and giving some energy in here.”
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Matt Bagley is a professional sportswriter and broadcaster with a passion for women’s sports. Outside of work, he cherishes quality time with his birth family, his chosen family, and one very pesky house panther.
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