Freshmen on exhibit in second preseason win

North Carolina took a 16-0 start and cruised to an easy exhibition win Friday against the Premier Players.

UNC's full-court press generated a bounty of turnovers for the Tar Heels as they controlled the pace of the game.

The Tar Heels were never threatened in the 99-69 victory and subbed generously throughout the game.

Other than starting point guard Cetera DeGraffenreid no player had more than 22 minutes as coach Sylvia Hatchell spread out the playing time.

Fifteen steals off 31 Premier Players turnovers gave the Tar Heels their fair share of fast break opportunities" but Hatchell said the press still has plenty of work to be done.

""Getting in the right place" their angles their traps sprinting back out of the traps everything really Hatchell said.

On a scale of one to ten" (we're at) probably six to seven.""

Freshman Laura Broomfield showed remarkable shooting touch for a 6-footer and scored 18 points on 8-for-11 shooting.

The rookie forward from Lexington Park" Md." came off the bench and caught defenders off guard with her outside shot.

She made two long baseline jumpers from the right side and a 3-pointer from the top of the key in one two-minute stretch before halftime.

""People don't really hear about her or know her story" but she's worked hard on her game her shots" senior Rashanda McCants said.

She's going to surprise a lot more people.""

Broomfield wasn't the only player with a hot shooting night. McCants lead all scorers with 20 points and sophomore Italee Lucas went 5-for-7 on 3-pointers.

Lucas looked comfortable in the shooting guard position after being forced to play at the point during much of last year.

The Tar Heels steadily built their lead to a peak of 40 midway through the second half.

Freshman Chay Shegog helped UNC maintain the margin with three blocks in just 13 minutes of game time.

""She's a heck of a defender" and she's only going to get better" said Broomfield, who played with Shegog on an AAU team before both came to UNC.

She's a good shot blocker"" she moves her feet well for her size.""

Shegog" who stands at 6 feet 5 inches had the same number of blocks in the squad's first exhibition game.

This time she also added 10 points on 12 shots all from close range and showed a nose for the offensive glass. The freshman was able to find her rhythm despite a slow start" as she missed her first three attempts.

""She just needs experience" she's just gotta square up with her shot Hatchell said.

She was only 5-for-12" but she got 12 shots. We're gonna get her the ball.""

The Tar Heels take on Western Carolina in the preseason WNIT on Friday in the Smith Center.



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