Thursday, January 24, 2008 SPORTS The Carrboro Citizen Page 9 A dose of reality By Frank Heath is danger for both of these situa- Sports Columnist tions to crop up. The UNC half-court of- fense is just not as dominating Maryland dealt UNC a dose a force as last season, when we of reality this past weekend, ag- had Brandan Wright also on the gressively wrangling an 82-80 court. And Carolina’s defense win over the Tar Heels at the shows the effects of using a pair Smith Center. For Carolina, this of guards out front who are ex- ended dreams of an undefeated pected to play most of the game season and bumped the Heels and who also have to carry a from the No. 1 spot in the coun- large weight on offense. try down to No 5, right behind So there are weaknesses evi- hated rival Duke, in the latest dent in the façade. Carolina did AP basketball poll. not defend well enough against Perhaps more importantly, Maryland’s dribble penetration, UNC also now trails the Blue and that became a deciding fac- Devils in the ACC standings, tor down the stretch, as Greivis which could ultimately deter- Vasquez took over the game on mine who gets to play in North Maryland’s final possessions Carolina throughout the NCAA with his driving ability. Regional play. There is a lot of Now it is time for the Heels time to rectify this situation, but to react. Roy’s teams bounced recent close outcomes against back well the past two seasons conference rivals Clemson and after other league teams “figured Georgia Tech have shown the them out,” making adjustments Tar Heels to be vulnerable to that seemed to take the legs out more potential losses. of some of the main things their So what now? opponents tried to do. A patient fan asks: What, if During this now half-done anything, could be the matter season, one simple way for Caro- with Carolina basketball, and lina to improve and to recapture can it be fixed? its on-the-court dominance is for Some of Carolina’s issues have the second-tier players to step up, been circumstantial. Given the allowing Ty, Tyler and Ellington fact that UNC had four decent photo by Georg T Gordon photo by Georg T Gordon a bit more confidence that they Haley Hegedus (25) of the Carrboro varsity Lady Jaguars releases David Brooks (23) of the Carrboro varsity Jaguars reaches for the shots at the end of the game to can go all out while they are in tie or win, the Tar Heels could a shot during the game against Northwood on Friday, Jan. 18 in basket during the matchup against the Northwood Tigers on Friday, the game and not see their efforts Carrboro. Northwood won, 56-34. Jan. 18 in Carrboro. Brooks led the Jaguar scoring with 32 points, just as easily have emerged vic- go to waste when they check out including four 3-point buckets. The Jaguars lost the game 62-73. torious Saturday and held onto for a three-minute breather. their No. 1 ranking, and there Player fatigue has become a would probably be articles out more obvious concern since the contact the Recreation Depart- now about how great clutch per- Frasor injury cut into Carolina’s In Brief ment at 918-7364. formers these guys are. The Tar depth; but some recent develop- Scoreboard Heels did maintain their poise ments have made this Tar Heel Coaches wanted Basketball down the stretch against Mary- fan hopeful that it may not be a Carrboro High Carrboro High land - so there isn’t a big question The Carrboro Recreation Challenge permanent and fatal weakness Mens’ Women’s The Carrboro Recreation and about their ability to handle the for this team. Basketball and Parks Department is ac- pressure of tight situations — at Basketball cepting volunteer coach’s ap- Parks Department is sponsoring That said, three things I’d Friday, January 18 least not yet. In this case, the ball Friday, January 18 plications for the 2008 Youth a Basketball Challenge on Sun- be happy to see during the next (via Georg Tudryn) just didn’t bounce into the bas- (via Georg Tudryn) Baseball Program and for the day, February 10th. This event stretch of games — which, inci- Car: 9 6 8 11 =34 ket. You’re not going to win all Car: 14 9 20 19 =62 2008 Youth Girls Volleyball has players competing against dentally, are not going to be easy Nor: 10 22 9 15 =56 the tight games, as the Virginia Nor: 15 21 17 20 =73 Program. Coaches must be able one another in a variety of bas- for UNC — are: Layne Mishoe led the scoring football team found out in their David Brooks was the top to organize practices and com- ketball skill events. Age group (1) Marcus Ginyard taking, for the Carrboro Lady categories include 9-10 and 11- bowl game. scorer for the carrboro municate effectively with players and making, a few three-point- Jaguars, hitting two 2-point 12 male and female. The fee is What is more troubling for Jaguars, shooting 32 points (ages 6-15 years old), parents and ers. The junior wing player made baskets and making seven of $12 per player. Registration is UNC is that league opponents two treys on Saturday, his first including four 3-point buckets. Recreation Department staff. 12 free throws. Allison Ropp being accepted at the Recreation seem to have figured out some two of the year, and looked a lot Brad Dimac scored eight They must also be able to teach things about the Heels — name- contributed 10 points on two proper playing skills, fundamen- Department, 100 N. Greensboro more confident once that first points for the Jaguars. St., Carrboro. Pre-registration is ly, that they may be able to out one fell. 2-point baskets and six free tals, sportsmanship and provide push Carolina, be more aggres- throws. an enjoyable atmosphere at prac- required. For more information, (2) Alex Stepheson becoming please contact the Recreation sive than the Tar Heels and more of an equal rotating part- tices and games. To receive a Next home game: Cummings, Friday January 25. Women at 6, Department at 918-7364. even out run this team now that ner with Hansbrough and Deon volunteer coach’s application or men at 7:30. Bobby Frasor is not available as a Thompson in the post. Stephe- additional information, please capable backup for both Ty Law- son looked really comfortable in son and Wayne Ellington. the game Saturday and did some Carolina is still going to be good things on defense, and Ty- able to blow some people out ler really could use as much help Advertising Index and win a majority of its games as possible absorbing some of the The ArtsCenter, 3 just by having more offensive banging down low and running The Beehive, 8 weapons and better rebounders lanes on the break. Blunden Studio, 10 than most opponents. But when And (3) Quentin Thomas Carrboro Family Vision, 8 the Tar Heels have encountered Carrburritos, 5 getting to be a reliable cog in the Cat’s Cradle, 2 opposition that is playing well, guard rotation, at least during and fearlessly, and “leaving it Cliff’s Meat Market, 5 the first half. The senior play- Duke Center for Nicotine & all on the floor” as they say, the maker has shown signs the past Smoking Cessation Research, 3 Heels are finding themselves in a few games that he may be out of Epting & Hackney, 4 vulnerable spot. The three ACC an earlier turnover funk, and his Franklin Street Auto, 10 teams that have played Carolina Glasshalfull, 5 athleticism on defense and some- Hillsborough Yarn Shop, 8 tight have all used more bench times-ability to create scoring players for more minutes than Cliff Larsen, 3 opportunities for himself and Laskody Law Office, 3 UNC has and all three have teammates could become highly NC WARN, 7 been very physical with multiple valuable resources for UNC, es- Orange Community Housing & Land Trust, 10 defenders on Tyler Hansbrough. pecially if it allows Roy to rest, Peck and Artisans, 5 Red Hen, 4 This way of attacking the Tar and push, Lawson and Ellington Heels presents a difficulty for Dan Ryon, 3 a bit more. Southern Rail, 10 North Carolina when it gets into Q.T. is a tough case to figure. a tight second-half game, be- 3 Cups, 5 But with confidence-building True Craftsmen, 8 cause Carolina’s domination this performances in his past two or WCOM, 8 season has depended heavily on three games, this could be the Walker Brown, 3 a couple of things: Hansbrough’s right moment for the senior to Weaver Street Realty, 2 unrelenting will to out work op- break through and really play ponents and the ability of Lawson some of that basketball Tar Heel and the UNC break to beat op- fans know he’s capable of. ponents down the floor for easy, If just two of these three momentum-shifting baskets. things happen over the next few If either of these angles gets weeks, look for Carolina to move compromised in the course of a upwards and onwards. The main game, Carolina’s advantage over thing these Tar Heels need is a decent opposition can become boost of energy and aggressive- significantly reduced. And when ness on defense and on the fast opponents are running three break, and more participation physical guys at (and over) Ty- and ownership from Thomas, ler all night on both ends of the Ginyard and Stepheson could court, and fast-breaking effec- be a key to making both of these tively right back at UNC, there things happen.

photo by Kirk Ross Undaunted by UNC’s first loss of the season to Maryland on Saturday, James McCleary of the Shrunken Head boutique hangs a Tar Heels banner. The Tar Heels lost 82-80 to to the Terrapins.