Analysis: UNC women’s basketball team’s first practice for the 2021-2022 season

CHAPEL HILL, NC — Even though the 2021-2022 UNC women’s basketball team has been working diligently through offseason workouts and conditioning for months, Thursday, Sept. 30, marked the team’s first official practice for the upcoming season.

Of the 14 Tar Heels on this year’s team, six of them are new to the roster, four of which are freshmen and two who are transfers.

“The energy of the group is the best I’ve been around since I’ve been here, by far,” Carolina WBB head coach Courtney Banghart said when asked about the energy and atmosphere at the team’s first practice. “This group’s energy is consistent from start to finish. It’s the best I’ve seen, it’s the best I’ve been on… In terms of top to bottom and side to side who brings it everyday, it’s the best I’ve been around.”

Carlie Littlefield, a graduate transfer guard who played at Princeton for three seasons, was asked how it feels being able to learn and play again under Coach Banghart after playing for her during er freshman and sophomore year at Princeton.

“It's been great to reunite with her [Banghart] … I’ve been feeling like a freshman just being the graduate transfer, but that has helped with the transition as well. Obviously I loved playing for Coach Banghart freshman and sophomore year, so it just feels great to be back with her.”

After having her senior year of basketball at Princeton cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Littlefield was asked what it has been like being able to prepare for her first official game since March 2020 with a new team surrounding her.

“It’s been so much fun. Last spring, I was able to work a little bit at Princeton with some of my teammates, but all we could ever do is 2 vs. 2 because we just didn’t have the numbers. So the first time I got here this summer, we played pick up and I was so happy… This team has been so welcoming and there’s so much energy here that it’s been everything I could ever ask for.”

When asked about what led to a players-only huddle that took place during a team drill, Banghart responded, “It’s nice when you have some assertiveness on your roster and people that listen and make changes. This is a competitive group and we’re not just going to let things happen.”

Banghart made sure to add, “I think this is sort of what happens on successful teams. They are more player-led than coach-led. Coaches only have to lead in the hardest of times, as well as in every moment, but in terms of inside the lines, you need some player leadership, and we’re getting that this year more than I’ve had since I’ve been here.”

Kennedy Todd-Williams, a sophomore guard who was a key contributor coming off the bench for Carolina last season, was asked what she believes the team as a whole has most improved on over the offseason.

“For the returners, I think everybody grew individually and everybody knows their roles on the team as far as on the court. For the newcomers, having these graduate transfers stepping up as our captains, and the freshmen just growing and learning new plays and a new system as well.”

Banghart was also asked how the team has been adjusting and adapting to an upcoming season with fans expected to be fully back in the stands for the first time since March 2020, to which she replied, “I know there’s great anticipation. Our fans have gone through the growth process of this program.They’ve seen the brightest of bright lights and they’ve also seen some growth years, and I think they’re ready to sit back and enjoy the product.”

After being named one of the three 2021-2022 team captains before the start of the team’s practice on Thursday, Oct. 12, Littlefield was asked what it means to her to be named a captain for this year’s team.

“Obviously it’s a huge honor. I think that’s a huge testament to this team just being super welcoming to a complete outsider coming in… I’m honored and I’m just super excited to actually get playing with this group.”

When asked about the team’s expectations for the upcoming season, Williams responded, “The expectation is to win the ACC Championship. We lost in the first round last year so our goal is to take it step-by-step and get to that championship game, and of course win it. We also want to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. We’re in pursuit so I think we can go way further than we did last year.”