Tag: Women’s basketball

New faces, familiar ambitions for UNC women after offseason of transition

CHARLOTTE — Most coaches replacing three starters, including a decorated five-year player, face significant challenges. It’s not as if North Carolina coach Courtney Banghart wouldn’t love to have forward Alyssa Ustby, center Maria Gakdeng and guard Lexi Donarski back. But the influx of six talented players, including an incoming recruiting class ESPN ranked No. 5, along with stars returning, could make that transition easier after last season’s Sweet 16 run.

Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics

Kelly again proves her toughness playing well with stomach bug in her ‘Jordan game’

Anybody who questions Deja Kelly’s toughness and dogged determination isn’t paying attention or is letting her off-the-court persona as “The Queen” mislead them. The 5–8 senior North Carolina guard — who embraces fashion, long fingernails and eyelashes, and beauty — is a relentless competitor who refuses to let physical challenges keep her off the court.

Big-time UNC recruit Toomey’s love for Carolina, the state stoked years ago during Pinehurst golf trip

Ciera Toomey first marveled at the beauty of the UNC campus when she was 10, traveling home to Pennsylvania from a Pinehurst golf tournament. Toomey thought she’d just play golf for the rest of her life and remembers liking the idea of moving back to North Carolina at some point to take advantage of the terrific golf options and better weather. The No. 3-ranked player in the Class of 2023 committed to North Carolina on Monday night and will indeed head back to the Tar Heel state. But a “life-changing” breakout AAU season with NEPA Elite three years later before her freshman year in high school dramatically changed her focus.