Jacob Karabell

Sports

No. 1 Tar Heels fall in Final Four

By Jacob Karabell | April 28

BOSTON, April 3 - Maryland was breaking its huddles quickly. The players were exuding confidence on the court. Their faces bore smiles and excitement. Their pressure defense was frustrating, swarming around the post and forcing North Carolina to depend on its outside shooting. In short, the Terps out-Tar Heeled the Tar Heels, controlling the game most of the way and emerging from the TD Banknorth Garden with an 81-70 win against top-seeded and top-ranked UNC on April 2.

Sports

Commending our objectivity

By Jacob Karabell | April 19

As Sean May corralled Luther Head's miss, primal screams erupted on all sides of the TV. More noise seeped in from the neighboring apartment. Outside, the yelling drifted toward Franklin Street for the celebratory festivities. I calmly observed this mayhem. I ignored the calls from nuclear- and extended-family members offering congratulations. I walked up to Franklin Street, acting like a street-side spectator instead of a red-clad participant at the Running of the Bulls.

Sports

Boston ACC-ent

By Jacob Karabell | March 31

La'Tangela Atkinson would not want this story to be about her. Typically, it wouldn't be. A Final Four story might focus on a team star (Erlana Larkins, Ivory Latta, Camille Little). It might focus on a role player that has taken her game to a different level in the postseason (LaToya Pringle). It might focus on the pressure of a freshman playing significant minutes, whose older brother happens to be a notorious Tar Heel (Rashanda McCants).

Sports

Heels top Tennessee with team effort

By Jacob Karabell | March 29

CLEVELAND - With five minutes remaining in Tuesday's regional final against Tennessee, Ivory Latta had 11 points. Erlana Larkins had three. Yet, North Carolina never trailed in the game and led by eight points at the time - with the non-stars putting Larkins and Latta in position to take control in the closing minutes to push the Tar Heels to their second-ever Final Four. That balance started with senior Jessica Sell. Despite the fact that she averages less than three points per game, she cleanly drained a 3-pointer on a pass from Larkins on UNC's first possession.

Sports

Parker a nightmare to guard

By Jacob Karabell | March 28

CLEVELAND - A circle of cameras and media already had gathered around the chair reserved for Ivory Latta minutes before the UNC guard's scheduled media appearance at the Quicken Loans Arena on Monday. An hour later, the media camped out again at the same chair - this time waiting for Tennessee redshirt freshman Candace Parker. Both of the teams' leading scorers present significant challenges for defenders, and whichever squad better contains the opposing team's star tonight likely will advance to the Final Four in Boston.

Sports

Boiling point

By Jacob Karabell | March 27

function openSlideShow3999(){window.open(slideshowpath + 3999,'selectUser',config='scrollbars=No,resizable=Yes');}Click here to view this slideshow CLEVELAND - Sylvia Hatchell almost fainted. With North Carolina tied with Purdue with 21 seconds remaining in the Sweet 16 showdown, Hatchell diagrammed a play - Ivory Latta curling off a ball screen at the top of the key and cutting toward the basket.

Sports

Senior sells coach on regular starting spot

By Jacob Karabell | March 24

North Carolina's starting lineup includes La'Tangela Atkinson, Erlana Larkins, Ivory Latta and Camille Little - all of whom likely will end up as first-round picks in one of the next three WNBA drafts. Reserves Christina Dewitt, Rashanda McCants, Alex Miller and LaToya Pringle also have the potential to play at the professional level. In fact, they each average more minutes and points than the team's fifth starter.

Sports

UNC more than likely a No. 1 seed

By Jacob Karabell | March 10

In the handful of days prior to the unveiling of the NCAA Tournament brackets, most basketball teams beg for the mercy of the selection committee. Coaches and players relate a laundry list of reasons why their team should receive a high seed, all the while unsure of how the committee will adjudicate their postseason fate. This year, the North Carolina women's basketball team is not among those squads.

Sports

Trapped in UNC's defensive scheme

By Jacob Karabell | February 24

The Boston College point guard brings the ball up the court, with a 6-foot-4 center paralleling the ball-handler on the right side. Between the two Eagles stands North Carolina forward Camille Little, advancing step-for-step with the point guard, her arms extended vertically in hope of deflecting a pass. Although a cross-court pass manages to elude Little's grasp, Little and guard Jessica Sell swarm the opposing player - with Erlana Larkins rotating to the near wing in hopes of intercepting the Eagles' next pass.

Sports

Perfect season runs foul

By Jacob Karabell | February 10

Since North Carolina topped Duke on Jan. 29 to earn the No. 1 ranking, Coach Sylvia Hatchell has consistently warned her team that it will be taking every team's best shot. On Thursday, No. 6 Maryland gave UNC that effort late in the second half - sprinkled with some luck.