From the top going clockwise: Erika Johnson, Megan Buckland, Brittany Rountree, Latifah Coleman and Danielle Butts (photo from www.goheels.com)
So as to the game, we did start out slowly and was down by as much as 12 points in the first half as Virginia shot lights out in Carmichael. Coach had warned of the emotion of Senior night combined with the sense of urgency Virginia would be playing with because their post season hopes are on the line. It was an important game for North Carolina as well because...well, you want to win senior night. But also while a top 4 seed in the ACC tournament is out of reach since Syracuse won their final conference game and holds the tie breaker, North Caroline with a win would stay on pace for a top 4 seed in the NCAA tournament and that is crucial because the top 4 seeds in each region will host the first two rounds. Final, North Carolina 72, Virginia 70.
This was an exciting game for sure. The children and I gathered in the family room and the children yelled "C'mon Tar Heels!" whenever they had the ball. Have to love those two. Soon the Tar Heels closed the gap, mainly behind the play of N'Dea Bryant.
N'Dea Bryant: 13 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 2 steals (photo from www.goheels.com)
That killer jump shot strikes again. My favorite was the one she hit on the break to bring us to within four points and force Virginia into a time out. She was in double figures yet again. Loving her play. She's really helping with the spacing around Stephanie Mavunga and it was a big help because Virginia was face guarding Allisha Gray and her touches were really limited in this one.
Allisha Gray: 9 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block (photo from www.goheels.com)
Limited touches and all, what I love most about Allisha is she will find a way to put a stamp on the game and help the team. Rare she doesn't reach double figures; but there you have 8 rebounds from the guard position and those 4 assists, means she contributed to 8 more points going up for North Carolina without shooting the ball.
Jessica Washington: 5 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist (photo from www.goheels.com)
Nice steady game for Jessica. She's looking really confident on the court and that can only be good for North Carolina. I loved that three she hit in the corner. Some say the best time to shoot that is after a loose ball. Hillary Summers made a great play to save the ball from going out of bounds and Jessica caught it in stride and swished a three from the corner. Some absolutely great work crashing the boards as well.
Jamie Cherry: 4 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists (photo from www.goheels.com)
Jamie's shot wasn't falling in this game; but her passing was on point. Five assists in a big ACC game, showing patience and good control. This year's experience is going to really help her and North Carolina going forward.
Danielle Butts: 4 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block (photo from www.goheels.com)
Wow, the final regular season home game for our Power Pack. Really going to miss her. She stuffed the stat sheet in this game, was aggressive on defense and really showed her crazy vertical on that block.
Latifah Coleman: 4 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 3 steals (www.goheels.com)
Ah, this does not get any easier. Latifah Coleman has worked and worked and worked. I am not sure there's a more determined player on the defensive end of the floor especially.
Brittany Rountree: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals (photo from www.goheels.com)
Another senior and she's been playing with that sense of urgency you want to see. Not just hitting three point shots but using her reputation as a three point shooter to draw her defender and go around them. Just playing some really inspired basketball right now. She's as steady as they come. And she kept Faith Randolph from getting the ball and possibly getting off a three pointer on UVA's last possession.
Stephanie Mavunga: 23 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 3 steals (photo from www.goheels.com)
But the woman of the hour (the 2nd half) was a sophomore. I should have known this was going to be a big game for her when she got a steal at half court and took it all the way for the lay-up. That is skill at 6'4". Even when they stopped her, she got some offensive rebounds. She was just a force in this game, making 10 of 15 field goals including the game winner.
Virginia had tied the game at 70 with 22 seconds to go. After a time out, North Carolina got the ball and as instructed at the 7 second mark, Latifah Coleman handed the ball off to Allisha Gray who dribbled off to her strong side to take the shot. It missed. There appeared to be contact; but it didn't shock me nothing was called. There was just enough time for Stephanie to get the rebound and knock in the game winning shot. Thankfully it was still relatively early as the kids and I surely would have woken the neighbors. It was really great to see this scene after the game.
Carolina Victory (photo from www.goheels.com)
Well, after winning Senior night we are set to be the opponent on another team's senior night. The next opponent and the last one of the regular season is the Duke Blue Devils who are having some challenges lately. They went on a bit of a winning streak after the last game against UNC; but things have changed and they come into the game on Sunday having lost their last three games. Hopefully this weather doesn't act up again and we make it over there.
Until then,
Go Heels!
No comments:
Post a Comment