Notes of Thanks As UNC Prepares for Temple

The Tar Heels prepare for shootaround on Thursday afternoon.

Photo by: UNC Athletic Communications

November 28, 2019 | Women's Basketball

By: UNC Athletic Communications

CANCUN, Mexico – Thanksgiving Day for the UNC women's basketball team here at the Cancun Challenge is a little different from what it might look like back in North Carolina. It's 85 degrees at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, with the palm trees swaying and the pools calling.

But for the Tar Heels (4-0), Thursday is a work day. After a slow start to the morning, they switch into gameday mode, with video and shootaround in the afternoon, pregame meal at 6 p.m. and tipoff for the fifth game of the season at 9 p.m. vs the Temple Owl (4-2).

Game day MOOD 😎#InPursuit | #CancunChallenge pic.twitter.com/H95Y1ZuxRj — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) November 28, 2019

For more on the Cancun Challenge, click here.

Heading into the day, the Tar Heels took a few minutes to note some of the things they're grateful for, today and all year.

Janelle Bailey
"I am thankful for my family and friends. Having people supporting me on a daily basis is definitely appreciated. Without them I wouldn't be where I am today."

Shayla Bennett
"I am thankful for my family, my former, current and future teammates, and my coaches because without them I wouldn't be where I am today. They make everything I go through in life easier than doing it alone."

Leah Church
"I am thankful for my wonderful family and all the support they've given me throughout the years. I know they always will be there for me and appreciate the sacrifices they make."

Nia Daniel
"I am grateful because I have this amazing opportunity to spend time with my family and teammates."

Lexi Duckett
"I am thankful for the people and opportunities that surround me."

Taylor Koenen
"I am thankful for my family because they are always supporting me and they will always have my back!"

Madinah Muhammad
"I am thankful for so much, but to narrow it down I am thankful that my mom was able to come to Cancun with me. I have not had a Thanksgiving with my family for about five years so this means a lot to me!"

Jaelynn Murray
"I am thankful for being alive because one day you could be here and the next day you could be gone."

Liz Roberts
"I am thankful for my family because they support me unconditionally, and I wouldn't be where I am without them."

Olivia Smith
"I am thankful for my family and my time at Carolina because my family is always supporting me and loving me and Carolina has taught me so much and given me more than I could ask for."

Emily Sullivan
"I am thankful for my family, teammates and this trip to Cancun because my life wouldn't be the same without them."

Malu Tshitenge
"I am thankful for the great people I surround myself with because they push me every day to be the best person I can be."

Kennady Tucker
"I am thankful for all of my family and everything that they do for me."

Naomi Van Nes
"I am thankful for my team, because they always make me laugh, and have shown me what grit and perseverance looks like."

Happy Thanksgiving, Tar Heels! We have so much to be thankful for today and every day 🦃💙🍁⤵️ pic.twitter.com/ZIxZ6Oqr0k — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) November 28, 2019