University of North Carolina Athletics
Women's Basketball Q And A With Ivory Latta
November 5, 2003 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 5, 2003
TarHeelBlue.com's Lateshia Chambers spoke with freshman guard Ivory Latta at UNC women's basketball media day on Oct. 30. Here's what Latta had to say about the upcoming season:
THB: What do you hope to contribute to team this season?
Ivory Latta: "Anything they want me to do, whether it's passing, shooting, or playing defense. Whatever I can do to help the team win is what I am going to do."
THB: How is the team chemistry?
Latta: "The team chemistry is so awesome! On the court we get a little intense, but off the court we go out together, we eat together, we dance, we learn more about each other than we do on the court and that is key. So, I think we have great team chemistry."
THB: Regarding the role of point guard, do you expect to just step in or do you feel like you still have a lot of growing to do?
Latta: "Right now, I feel like a rookie. I am feeding off what Leah Metcalf is doing. I am watching her, she's the point guard and I am trying to contribute to what she did last year. Hopefully, if I get in and get the position, I am going to be a leader out there on the court. If I don't, I am not going to cry about it, I am going to sit on the bench and cheer my team on."
THB: Given your success in high school, do you feel as if the transition from high school to college will be difficult?
Latta: "In high school it is kind of slow-paced. You have offenses, but really you do what you want to do. College is way different. Coach Hatchell threw like nine plays at us at one time. I was like 'Whoa!' But the transition has not been that bad for me because my teammates have helped me out so much."
THB: Who would you say is the leader, the go-to person on this team?
Latta: "That's really hard. For my position, I would have to look at Leah Metcalf, but anything else I would probably have to look at our seniors, Candace Sutton and Carrie Davis. They are veterans, they know things that we don't know and so they are teaching us. So, I really look up to them and La'Tangela Atkinson, but I look up to everybody. Everybody on the team looks up to each other, regardless if you are a veteran or what because everybody learns from everybody every day in practice."
THB: What are the season goals?
Latta: "Win a lot of games and make it to New Orleans (site of the 2004 Final Four). But, right now, we are just concentrating on taking it one game at a time. Whatever happens, happens."
