The Tar Heels in San Antonio
Photo by: Dana Gentry
Carolina Gets Down To Work In San Antonio
March 18, 2021 | Women's Basketball
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – For the UNC women's basketball team, Thursday was a day for celebration.
First, because the Tar Heels are still playing, and are now working toward an NCAA Tournament first-round match-up with Alabama on Monday.
Second, the team cleared quarantine protocols and was able to hit the court together on Thursday afternoon for a 90-minute practice at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
And third, it was a Tar Heel birthday. "My birthday was very special because I got to spend it with my teammates and coaches playing basketball, the sport I love," said freshman Alyssa Ustby, who turned 19 on Thursday. "We had a lot of fun today, a lot of energy in practice."
For Ustby, playing or practicing basketball on her birthday is to be celebrated because it means her team is in the postseason, whether it's the high school state tournament or the NCAA Tournament. Last season at this time, the pandemic had just cut short her stellar career at Lourdes High School, so it's relief to be playing while celebrating this year, regardless of the Covid hurdles.
Ustby is in the majority as a Tar Heel experiencing the NCAA Tournament for the first time. This is UNC's 28th trip in program history, but only one current Carolina player – senior Janelle Bailey – has played in a tournament game.
It's Courtney Banghart's ninth trip as a head coach – the first with Carolina after eight as the head coach at Princeton – but certainly there have been no others like this one. After flying to San Antonio on Wednesday, the Tar Heels idled in hotel rooms for just over 24 hours, leaving only for Covid testing, before being cleared to start meetings and practice after two negative results.
"How great it was to clear quarantine and to be able to get out on the court together today," Banghart said. "We're all feeling grateful to be here in San Antonio, doing our best to stay safe and healthy, and looking forward to putting in more work tomorrow."
First, because the Tar Heels are still playing, and are now working toward an NCAA Tournament first-round match-up with Alabama on Monday.
Second, the team cleared quarantine protocols and was able to hit the court together on Thursday afternoon for a 90-minute practice at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
The San Antonio court lights hit different
Bubble Practice 1 ☑️#GoHeels | #InPursuit | #ncaaW pic.twitter.com/JY4krvyqj2
— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) March 19, 2021
And third, it was a Tar Heel birthday. "My birthday was very special because I got to spend it with my teammates and coaches playing basketball, the sport I love," said freshman Alyssa Ustby, who turned 19 on Thursday. "We had a lot of fun today, a lot of energy in practice."
For Ustby, playing or practicing basketball on her birthday is to be celebrated because it means her team is in the postseason, whether it's the high school state tournament or the NCAA Tournament. Last season at this time, the pandemic had just cut short her stellar career at Lourdes High School, so it's relief to be playing while celebrating this year, regardless of the Covid hurdles.
Ustby is in the majority as a Tar Heel experiencing the NCAA Tournament for the first time. This is UNC's 28th trip in program history, but only one current Carolina player – senior Janelle Bailey – has played in a tournament game.
It's Courtney Banghart's ninth trip as a head coach – the first with Carolina after eight as the head coach at Princeton – but certainly there have been no others like this one. After flying to San Antonio on Wednesday, the Tar Heels idled in hotel rooms for just over 24 hours, leaving only for Covid testing, before being cleared to start meetings and practice after two negative results.
"How great it was to clear quarantine and to be able to get out on the court together today," Banghart said. "We're all feeling grateful to be here in San Antonio, doing our best to stay safe and healthy, and looking forward to putting in more work tomorrow."
Players Mentioned
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