University of North Carolina Athletics
GoHeels Exclusive: A Lot To Be Proud Of
March 26, 2019 | Women's Basketball, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
WACO, Texas — With a minute left in Saturday's 92-72 loss against California and the game out of the North Carolina women's basketball team's reach, Sylvia Hatchell turned toward her bench, aware that the time had come.
Taylor Koenen knew, too, and was ready to re-enter the game on Hatchell's command. Once Koenen received it, Andrew Calder told the rest of the players on UNC's bench to be prepared. But they already were, at least as much as they could be.
They knew who'd soon be taking a seat beside them. And they'd do anything for her.
So, when the substitution buzzer sounded a few seconds later, the cheers among them and the Tar Heel faithful echoed throughout the Ferrell Center as Paris Kea left the court in a Carolina uniform for the last time.
Until then, Kea had maintained her composure. But walking into the arms of Hatchell and then every other person standing along the bench, she could no longer hold back her tears.
"Coach always talks about family," said Kea, the lone senior on this year's team. "I mean, these are my sisters. Just walking off and giving everybody a hug, I think that's what got me emotional. I'm going to miss them."
And they'll surely miss her.
In Saturday's NCAA Tournament first-round game, she showed why, pacing all players with 22 points. From her brilliant passing and lethal midrange game to her ability to finish in the lane and make perimeter shots, she displayed her entire offensive arsenal in an 18-point second half. The effort resulted in her scoring in double figures for the 82nd time in 91 games at UNC.
Most fans will understandably remember Kea for her offensive exploits. She finishes her Tar Heel career second in scoring average (18.0), second in 30-point games (seven) and 17th in points (1,637). All that was accomplished in three seasons.
She'll also be remembered for how she carried Carolina to some of its biggest wins. Her 36-point outburst in last season's overtime win against Duke and her 30-point, 10-assist showing in the upset over then-No. 1 Notre Dame in January are among the best individual performances in program history.
But as much as anything, Kea will be remembered for how she led, especially this season.
"She's done a great job for us this year with everything," Hatchell said. "She's a great kid and she's got a great future. I feel very blessed to have had an opportunity to coach a kid like her."
When Kea announced her decision to transfer from Vanderbilt to UNC in April 2015, the Tar Heels were fresh off their 21st NCAA Tournament appearance in a 24-year span. In the months that followed, three of their top players transferred.
But that didn't deter Kea, who stuck to her decision.
As she sat out the 2015-16 season, during which a team of predominantly freshmen and walk-ons went 14-18, she focused on reworking her jump shot. That extra work paid off, as she averaged a team-leading 17.2 points in 2016-17. She raised her scoring average to 19.4 points last season. For the third straight season, though, Carolina missed the NCAA Tournament.
Entering this season, that NCAA Tournament drought was expected to end, with UNC boasting its most talented roster since Kea's arrival. But nothing came easy for the Tar Heels.
Injuries hampered many players, including Kea, who battled leg problems that sidelined her for three early-season games and affected her play in several others. Carolina also had to navigate a schedule that ranked among the toughest in the country.
But with Kea serving as a steadying presence, UNC entered Selection Monday 18-14 overall and 9-9 against ACC opponents. That was enough to earn the program's first NCAA Tournament berth in four years. And although the Tar Heels' season lasted just one more game, they rightfully viewed it as a success.
"It's been a stepping stone for us …" Hatchell said. "We've come a long way, and these kids have fought hard. They have really worked hard. They are really good kids, and we've battled through some tough opponents.Â
"Right now, of course they are not happy to lose, but they have a lot to be proud of and I'm very proud of them."
A talented group of freshmen will join a core of veteran players who now know what it takes to make the NCAA Tournament. They also have a better understanding of what to expect once they get there.
"We have some kids coming next year that will put us on another level, so I'm excited about that," Hatchell said. "But I don't want to forget these kids that have hung with us these last few years and been tough and persevered through a lot."
Paris Kea is among them. And certainly no one will forget her.
WACO, Texas — With a minute left in Saturday's 92-72 loss against California and the game out of the North Carolina women's basketball team's reach, Sylvia Hatchell turned toward her bench, aware that the time had come.
Taylor Koenen knew, too, and was ready to re-enter the game on Hatchell's command. Once Koenen received it, Andrew Calder told the rest of the players on UNC's bench to be prepared. But they already were, at least as much as they could be.
They knew who'd soon be taking a seat beside them. And they'd do anything for her.
So, when the substitution buzzer sounded a few seconds later, the cheers among them and the Tar Heel faithful echoed throughout the Ferrell Center as Paris Kea left the court in a Carolina uniform for the last time.
Until then, Kea had maintained her composure. But walking into the arms of Hatchell and then every other person standing along the bench, she could no longer hold back her tears.
"Coach always talks about family," said Kea, the lone senior on this year's team. "I mean, these are my sisters. Just walking off and giving everybody a hug, I think that's what got me emotional. I'm going to miss them."
And they'll surely miss her.
In Saturday's NCAA Tournament first-round game, she showed why, pacing all players with 22 points. From her brilliant passing and lethal midrange game to her ability to finish in the lane and make perimeter shots, she displayed her entire offensive arsenal in an 18-point second half. The effort resulted in her scoring in double figures for the 82nd time in 91 games at UNC.
Most fans will understandably remember Kea for her offensive exploits. She finishes her Tar Heel career second in scoring average (18.0), second in 30-point games (seven) and 17th in points (1,637). All that was accomplished in three seasons.
She'll also be remembered for how she carried Carolina to some of its biggest wins. Her 36-point outburst in last season's overtime win against Duke and her 30-point, 10-assist showing in the upset over then-No. 1 Notre Dame in January are among the best individual performances in program history.
But as much as anything, Kea will be remembered for how she led, especially this season.
"She's done a great job for us this year with everything," Hatchell said. "She's a great kid and she's got a great future. I feel very blessed to have had an opportunity to coach a kid like her."
When Kea announced her decision to transfer from Vanderbilt to UNC in April 2015, the Tar Heels were fresh off their 21st NCAA Tournament appearance in a 24-year span. In the months that followed, three of their top players transferred.
But that didn't deter Kea, who stuck to her decision.
As she sat out the 2015-16 season, during which a team of predominantly freshmen and walk-ons went 14-18, she focused on reworking her jump shot. That extra work paid off, as she averaged a team-leading 17.2 points in 2016-17. She raised her scoring average to 19.4 points last season. For the third straight season, though, Carolina missed the NCAA Tournament.
Entering this season, that NCAA Tournament drought was expected to end, with UNC boasting its most talented roster since Kea's arrival. But nothing came easy for the Tar Heels.
Injuries hampered many players, including Kea, who battled leg problems that sidelined her for three early-season games and affected her play in several others. Carolina also had to navigate a schedule that ranked among the toughest in the country.
But with Kea serving as a steadying presence, UNC entered Selection Monday 18-14 overall and 9-9 against ACC opponents. That was enough to earn the program's first NCAA Tournament berth in four years. And although the Tar Heels' season lasted just one more game, they rightfully viewed it as a success.
"It's been a stepping stone for us …" Hatchell said. "We've come a long way, and these kids have fought hard. They have really worked hard. They are really good kids, and we've battled through some tough opponents.Â
"Right now, of course they are not happy to lose, but they have a lot to be proud of and I'm very proud of them."
A talented group of freshmen will join a core of veteran players who now know what it takes to make the NCAA Tournament. They also have a better understanding of what to expect once they get there.
"We have some kids coming next year that will put us on another level, so I'm excited about that," Hatchell said. "But I don't want to forget these kids that have hung with us these last few years and been tough and persevered through a lot."
Paris Kea is among them. And certainly no one will forget her.
Players Mentioned
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