by Gabriella Gaje
CHATHAM, VA. - The junior varsity Tar Heels headed to Virginia for the Pepsi Cancer Charity Challenge in hopes of achieving a victory against Hargrave Military Academy on Wednesday night, but fell short 115-84.
After a two-hour venture to Hargrave, the Tar Heels were neck and neck with the Tigers at the beginning of the game. However, the end of the half worked in favor of Hargrave, with the score being 73-39.
"It was tough, being our only road game. We are used to playing at home. We've never played any team with that kind of athleticism. There was no way to prepare adequately for how Hargrave was going to play. It's a great cause that they were playing for; I just wish we would have played better," head coach C.B. McGrath said.
Regardless of the setbacks, the Tar Heels were able to hold off the Tigers in the second half of the game. Freshman Justin Coleman was the lead scorer for the team, making 19 points in 24 minutes of playing time.
"We prepared all week for this game. Coach had us doing double team drills. At halftime, we sat in silence for a few minutes, and then we came together as a team," Justin said.
Justin's teammate, sophomore Kyle Grant, gained 6 rebounds through the course of the game and was another integral part in the team's playing.
"We let the pressure of their athleticism get to us when we were playing," Kyle said.
Despite the loss, the team is ready to vie for victory at their next game.
"This game was good preparation for our next game, Davidson has a high level of athleticism as well," Justin said.
The Tar Heels face Davidson County Community College on Saturday, January 19 at 9 a.m. in the Dean E. Smith Center.
