bell tower sports
 
March 19, 2003
Carolina Sports
Next Update: 03/26/03
Women's Basketball NCAA Opener
by Drew Matthews

With the possibility of war and a huge storm in Colorado, the women's basketball team has been in limbo about if and when the Heels will head to Boulder for their NCAA tournament first round game.

Coach Sylvia Hatchell said she told her players not to worry about things they can't control.

"I just told the players we just need to be very flexible," Hatchell said.

"Our schedule could change according to the weather or the situation with Iraq. So the players know that we're flexible, and that's a part of it. But I think they're focused and very anxious to get back on the court."

The Heels will leave Wednesday night and fly into Colorado Springs.

The team will face Austin Peay Saturday. Hatchell said she thinks her team is ready, but the 14th-seeded Lady Governors, and their coach Susie Gardner, are not to be taken lightly.

"They've got excellent players," Hatchell said.

"They've got an excellent coach who was an outstanding player at Georgia. I'm sure the team will play like their coach did when she was a player.

"And so I expect them to be very fundamental, play great man-to-man defense, and shoot the ball well."