University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Celebrate Season
April 12, 2005 | Women's Basketball
April 12, 2005
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The University of North Carolina women's basketball program celebrated the 2004-05 season Monday with its annual team banquet at the Friday Center. Joined by a crowd of about 350 that included staff members, administrators, professors, fans and family members, the Tar Heels handed out awards and heard speeches from each of the senior players and managers.
Senior Leah Metcalf, the team captain, received both the Coaches Award and the Leadership Award. She also was recognized as the squad's recipient of the Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete Award.
The Osterneck Most Inspirational Player Award, a first-year honor, went to Tiffany Tucker.
Freshman Erlana Larkins was the recipient of the Hustle Award and also the Overall Champion Award, for receiving the most cumulative points in all of the statistical categories in which awards were given. Coach Sylvia Hatchell recognized the squad's top players in the following categories:
Best field goal percentage - Larkins
Best three-point percentage - Camille Little
Best free throw percentage - Ivory Latta
Most offensive rebounds - Larkins
Most defensive rebounds - La'Tangela Atkinson
Most assists - Latta
Most blocks - LaToya Pringle
Most deflections - Nikita Bell
Most steals - Bell
Best screens - Larkins
Most dives on the floor - Bell
Most charges drawn - Latta
Commemorative basketballs were awarded to players who achieved milestones during the season. Bell, Latta and Metcalf received balls for reaching the 1,000-career-points mark and Latta received another for tying the school record for single-season free throw percentage (.863).
Hatchell also received one, presented by Director of Athletics Dick Baddour, to commemorate her June 2004 induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
Jerry Greenwood, who caters meals for the team, was honored with the Outstanding Service Award, and Bob Mitchell was named Volunteer of the Year.
The senior speeches were the evening's highlight. Kenya McBee, Bell, Metcalf, Tucker and managers Elizabeth Fleming and Wingate Smith drew laughter, tears and standing ovations as they looked back on their careers and thanked those who have helped them along.
The Tar Heels finished the season 30-4, winning the ACC Championship and reaching the NCAA Elite Eight before falling to eventual champion Baylor, but Monday's celebration focused as much on what went on behind the scenes. "My heart isn't big enough to hold the feelings I have for this team," Hatchell told the crowd. "We talk about where we finished in the polls, and the Elite Eight and the ACC Championship. But I think more than anything else, we're proud of the character these young ladies have. They're so special."
