University of North Carolina Athletics
The Tar Heels scrimmaged Sunday in front of a small crowd of supporters.
Scrimmage Provides Experience For Young Tar Heel Team
October 17, 2021 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The North Carolina women's basketball team wrapped up a busy weekend on Sunday afternoon with ... overtime.
Following Late Night festivities on Friday, then practice and the UNC football game on Saturday, the Tar Heels hosted season ticket holders, program donors and families at Carmichael Arena on Sunday. Carolina scrimmaged against a team made up of its male practice players, going all-out for 8-minute quarters, after which the score was tied at 65-65.
So, the Tar Heels got some extra basketball to close out the weekend and eventually won by nine, 80-71 following a put-back from sophomore Anya Poole just before the buzzer. And even then, they weren't quite finished, as coach Courtney Banghart gathered her squad on the court, thanked the 150 or so fans in attendance, and then had each player take the mic to introduce herself, tell where she's from and share her major.
"Our fans are going to love this group and I felt like it was really important to have our players all introduce themselves," Banghart said later. "These supporters are the backbone of our fan group and it was great to welcome them to Carmichael today to get a first look at the team."
As Banghart pointed out, the enthusiastic crowd was the largest one that the majority of the team had played in front of at Carmichael. Only two of the current 14 Tar Heels played for UNC in 2019-20. Five freshmen and a transfer were active last season, when Covid kept the crowds to a bare minimum, and six of the players – four freshmen and two transfers – are brand new.
The start of the season is now just over three weeks away, on Nov. 9. The Tar Heels host North Carolina A&T that day at 4:30 p.m. at Carmichael. Season tickets are on sale now and single game tickets will be available starting this week.
"With the season only a few weeks away, it was so valuable for our young team to get experience today in a game-like setting," Banghart said. "Overtime wasn't necessarily in the plan, but was great to offer some extra basketball. I loved the fight that we showed in overtime. I'm seeing improvement every day and I know we're all increasingly excited about the season ahead."
Following Late Night festivities on Friday, then practice and the UNC football game on Saturday, the Tar Heels hosted season ticket holders, program donors and families at Carmichael Arena on Sunday. Carolina scrimmaged against a team made up of its male practice players, going all-out for 8-minute quarters, after which the score was tied at 65-65.
So, the Tar Heels got some extra basketball to close out the weekend and eventually won by nine, 80-71 following a put-back from sophomore Anya Poole just before the buzzer. And even then, they weren't quite finished, as coach Courtney Banghart gathered her squad on the court, thanked the 150 or so fans in attendance, and then had each player take the mic to introduce herself, tell where she's from and share her major.
"Our fans are going to love this group and I felt like it was really important to have our players all introduce themselves," Banghart said later. "These supporters are the backbone of our fan group and it was great to welcome them to Carmichael today to get a first look at the team."
As Banghart pointed out, the enthusiastic crowd was the largest one that the majority of the team had played in front of at Carmichael. Only two of the current 14 Tar Heels played for UNC in 2019-20. Five freshmen and a transfer were active last season, when Covid kept the crowds to a bare minimum, and six of the players – four freshmen and two transfers – are brand new.
The start of the season is now just over three weeks away, on Nov. 9. The Tar Heels host North Carolina A&T that day at 4:30 p.m. at Carmichael. Season tickets are on sale now and single game tickets will be available starting this week.
"With the season only a few weeks away, it was so valuable for our young team to get experience today in a game-like setting," Banghart said. "Overtime wasn't necessarily in the plan, but was great to offer some extra basketball. I loved the fight that we showed in overtime. I'm seeing improvement every day and I know we're all increasingly excited about the season ahead."
Players Mentioned
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