All eyes on Asheville’s Rashanda McCants as Lady Tar Heels prepare for season

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

1

The Raleigh News & Observer has the excellent story:

If the Tar Heels, ranked No. 6 in The Associated Press preseason top 25 poll, are to compete on the national stage this season, McCants said she must do her job every time out.

McCants’ coaches and teammates say they expect her to fill the dual role of dominant player and team leader as Ivory Latta, Camille Little, Larkins and Pringle did during past four seasons.

They also expect something special from McCants, who has seemed to tease them with athleticism since she enrolled as a freshman.

“Before, she could step back and let somebody else fill in for a while,” UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said. “She can’t do that.”

Hatchell said it’s up to McCants to seize her opportunity. She has moved her from small forward to power forward this season to take advantage of her post skills and speed.

Hatchell said that many of the program’s better players have excelled at power forward, including Charlotte Smith, Tracy Reid, Camille Little and Pringle.

“That’s a great position to bust loose in, especially in our system,” she said. “So it’s right there for Rashanda to do.”