Carolina women's basketball notes

Updates on recruiting, WNBA draft and more.

Gatorade duo: The accolades keep piling up for the incoming Tar Heel women's freshman. Both Jessica Sell and LaTangela Atkinson were awarded state Gatorade Player of the Year honors.

And both were also featured in gball magazine online, Introducing: Jessica Sell and Introducing: LaTangela Atkinson.

Atkinson also played in the first women's McDonald's All-American game. She scored four points and showed some aggressive moves to the hoop.

Sell and North Marion fell just short of a state title, losing in the finals in defending champ Capital. Sell finished the game with 31 point and 13 rebounds - averaging 26.7 points and a 16.3 rebounds in the state tournament.

Reid to Phoenix: The Miami Sol traded Tracy Reid to the Phoenix Mercury. Reid was stuck on the bench in Miami and this should give her a chance for more minutes.

Higgins: Teasley may not be the only Heel in the draft (see yesterday's story), former UNC player Jackie Higgins was invited to the pre-draft camp after playing overseas last year. Higgins left Carolina early to play overseas.

Charlotte Sting coach Anne Donovan see Higgins as a sleeper, "She's been out of college, but she has the athleticism and the ability to play in the league. "

Family ties: Incoming men's basketball player Rashad McCants took his family to the McDonald's game - the McCants family includes younger sister Rashanda who just finished her freshman year at Erwin. The 6-1 center scored 21.0 points, hauled in 9.2 rebounds, 2.8 steals, 1.1 assists and 1.0 blocks per game. Let's hope Rashad invites his little sister to the Hill!

Underclassmen to watch: Rashanda McCants is a star in the making and here are few more names you might hear in the next few years:

Ashton Barton, Rosman: Sophomore, Forward, 5-9. Led Western NC with a 20.4 scoring average. Led Rosman to 22-2 mark and final regular season #1 ranking

Nakisha Stewart, Bunn: Freshman, Forward, 5-11. Averaged 28.5 points, 12.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists for Wildcats. She broke the modern day record for scoring in a season for freshmen, set by Danyel Parker of Clinton in 1985-86, in the win over Warren County in the tournament semifinals. She helped Bunn reach the Eastern Regionals for the first time in over two decades. Team finished as the regular season champions in the Northern Carolina Conference and finished the season at 22-7. Stewart finished the season with 811 points, just behind Rankin's Ann Johnson, who had 892 points in the 1955-56 season. She also finished as the league's player of the year.

Mary Hall McArver, Forestview: Junior, Guard, 6-0. Averaged 18.8 points per game and was invaluable to the Jaguars team that ran the table in Big South 3A. Sat out first nine games while recovering from torn ACL. Receiving heavy recruiting attention from UNC and N.C. State.

Tiffany Brown, Parkwood: Sophomore, Guard, 5-5. Brown averages 19.7 points, 6.5 assists and 5 steals a game. Averaged 26.3 points in four playoff games - Trinity (29), SE Guilford (19), TC Roberson (23) and HP Central (34).

Camille Little, W-S Carver: Junior, Forward, 6-2. Averaged 18 ppg and 11 rpg. Had 17 in regional final loss to Rockingham. Dell Curry Holiday Tournament MVP with 31 points and the game-winning basket with 9.9 seconds left in the second overtime, handing 4-A champ Freedom one of only two loses this year. Teamed with Jones (above) to turn around Carver program. Scored 18 points and had 9 steals in the 2001 title game. 2001 AP co-player of the year, averaged 17.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.8 assists, Street & Smith All-America HM (2001). Recruited by UNC, Duke, NC State and others.

Chante Black, East Forysth: Sophomore, Center, 6-5. Averaged 17.8 ppg and 14.1 rpg; Was the conference player of the year. Had 25 points, 20 rebounds and eight blocked shots in sectional final. In the sectional semifinal, had a triple-double - 21 points, 18 rebounds, 10 blocks.