North Carolina
Carmichael Comments: Consistent Leaders – University of North Carolina Athletics
But when they are called upon, they’re probably going to deliver. Take Zelaya against Virginia Tech: two threes and three rebounds in her 19 minutes – the bulk of which came in the fourth quarter. Or Poole against Duke, where she matched her season high in ACC play with eight rebounds. The steady veterans began their collegiate career as members of the highly-touted 2020 recruiting class, as names known to Carolina fans before they even stepped on campus.
And when they did arrive?
No fans. The pandemic restrictions prevented any semblance of normalcy for their freshman season. Both post players have seen not only the return of fans, but a slew of ups and downs through their college career. All the while, they’ve stayed consistent, an attribute that was a common talking point when they appeared as guests on this week’s Holding Court radio show.
Poole started 68 games as a Tar Heel between 2020 and 2023, yet has made all 21 of her appearances this season off the bench. For some players, that would be an ego hit. Not for Poole. How does she handle it?
“Knowing my role and knowing what I bring to the team,” she said.
The consistency in preparation, in a mental mastery of the game – one she did not grow up playing, preferring soccer until middle school – has motivated Poole.
“I’m going to give my all and give all I can do for this team every single time I step on the floor,” she told the Carolina fans assembled for Tuesday’s show at the Sheraton Chapel Hill.
Zelaya, who has gone long stretches of her career seeing limited action, returned to the same word: consistency.
“Honestly, it’s consistency,” she said when asked her key to staying ready. “I don’t face a lot of consistency with my playing time, so I have to make consistency in every moment outside of the game.”
The Arizona native pointed to extra work in practice, getting shots up, and taking pride in strength and conditioning as examples of that consistency. Even for a player who will be remembered for doing everything the right way and being the ultimate teammate, understanding that her college career would be defined by sporadic in-game moments wasn’t immediate.
“The acceptance part of ‘hey, that’s what my role is,’ that took a little bit,” Zelaya said.
Now, four years with the duo have seemingly flown by. They’ve gone from freshmen to seniors, and leaders on a team that has enjoyed success and fought adversity against a grueling schedule. Carolina is lucky to have Ali and Anya in the locker room as the Tar Heels battle down the stretch toward their fourth postseason and going a perfect 4-for-4 in qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.
Here’s what else caught my eye this week …
Inward Focus
In this column last week, we focused on the Tar Heels’ ability to regroup and refocus during the bye week – a chance to break from the grind that had been ongoing for every team in college basketball since the Christmas break. For UNC coach Courtney Banghart, the largest benefit in practice for her team was the lack of needing to devote time in midweek practice for opponent preparation. Think of it this way – and these numbers are arbitrary: if practice is 25 percent skill work, 25 percent team drills, and 50 percent opponent preparation, using that entire half of practice for internal-focused work is a massive benefit.
“I have to say it was really nice to only have one opponent to focus on,” Banghart said prior to the Duke game. “We spent Tuesday and Wednesday really working on ourselves, and finally getting a chance to not have to game prep.”
Offensive Growth
A large part of that internal focus was centered on the offensive end, where the Tar Heels entered the bye week with a streak of two straight games of being unable to crack 60 points in regulation. While Sunday’s game at Duke still ended in disappointment, I asked Coach Banghart after the game about how she would evaluate her team’s offensive performance coming out of the bye.
“For the most part, better,” she said. “When the game got tight, we kind of went back. The ball stuck a little bit.”
Of Carolina’s seven assists, six came in the game’s first three quarters, and from four different players. The Tar Heels enjoyed a third quarter in which they not only shot 50 percent (6-for-12), but also earned eight trips to the foul line and knocked down seven of the eight free throws.
“We were changing our pace with the ball in our hands, separating better, attacking in transition – just more aggressive,” Banghart said of the first 10 minutes after halftime on Sunday.
Putting together more quarters like that one will be important for Carolina to find success down the stretch, and ultimately achieve its goals by winning games.
“Overall, better, but it doesn’t matter if you can’t find a way to win through it,” Banghart said.
Walk-On No More
In case you missed it on social media on Friday, the Tar Heels’ practice session at Carmichael Arena featured one of the most meaningful moments of the entire season. Carolina walk-on guard Sydney Barker, a Durham native and lifelong Tar Heel fan, was preparing to partake in her first ever Duke game. To help set the tone for the matchup on Sunday, Coach Banghart called upon Sydney’s father, Brian, to speak to the team about how significant the Carolina-Duke rivalry is for Tar Heels everywhere and for basketball lovers across North Carolina. However, as Banghart introduced Brian and referenced the financial sacrifice the Barker family makes for Sydney to walk on, she soon mentioned that sacrifice wouldn’t be necessary any longer: Sydney was on scholarship.
It’s the second time in Banghart’s Carolina tenure that she’s given a walk-on a scholarship, with both going to Durham natives and lifelong Tar Heels. Current program General Manager Liz Roberts, who walked on before Banghart came to Chapel Hill, was the recipient of Banghart’s first scholarship, awarded in 2019.
Check out the moment the Barkers received the news below.
This Tar Heel turned her dreams into reality … congrats @sydneybarker_5!Scholarship earned ✅#GoHeels | #InPursuit pic.twitter.com/ub1oKhc18s
— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) February 9, 2024
Up Next
Carolina will try to get back to its winning ways this week with two more games that don’t require the team to leave the state. On Thursday, Carolina’s second home game since Jan. 26 takes place as the Tar Heels welcome Pitt to Carmichael Arena. The Panthers are in the midst of a rebuild under first-year head coach Tory Verdi, who came to the Steel City from UMass. While his team has only won one ACC game, it was against a Virginia team that owns a win against Carolina. Coach Banghart is 4-0 against Pitt in her Tar Heel career, with Carolina taking a tied game at the end of the third quarter last season and turning into a 15-point road win. Thursday’s tip is set for 6:00 p.m., with our Tar Heel Sports Network Coverage set to begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Reeds Jewelers Pregame Show. As always, hear the broadcast worldwide for free on the Varsity Network App from Learfield, GoHeels.com, or the GoHeels app. The game will air locally in the Triangle on 97.9 FM/1360 AM WCHL, the flagship station of Carolina women’s basketball. WCHL’s Thursday coverage will begin right at game time at 6:00.
Then on Sunday, the Tar Heels will complete the Tobacco Road triumvirate with the every-other-year trip to Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem to play Wake Forest. Carolina will search for a third straight win over the Demon Deacons and fourth in the last five meetings. Second-year head coach Megan Gebbia is in the midst of putting her own stamp on the program, but with limited success this season. Sunday’s tip is set for 6:00 p.m., with a 5:30 p.m. airtime for the Reeds Jewelers Pregame Show. As always, hear the broadcast worldwide for free on the Varsity Network App from Learfield, GoHeels.com, or the GoHeels app. The game will air locally in the Triangle on 97.9 FM/1360 AM WCHL, the flagship station of Carolina women’s basketball.
Additionally, the next Holding Court with Courtney Banghart tapes on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at Noon at the Sheraton Chapel Hill. As a reminder, the show is open to the public, and we hope to see you there! If you can’t make it, catch the show on the Tar Heel Voices Podcast Channel or on Wednesday night, Feb. 21, at 7:00 p.m. on WCHL 97.9 FM/1360 AM.
That’s all for now. Go Heels!
-Matt
North Carolina
North Carolina (NCHSAA) High School Softball 2026 State Playoff Brackets, Matchups, Schedule – May 11
The 2026 North Carolina high school softball state playoff brackets are out, and High School On SI has all eight brackets with matchups and schedules for every team.
The first round begins on May 5, and the playoffs will culminate with the NCHSAA state championships being played May 27-30 at Duke University in Durham.
2026 North Carolina High School Baseball State Tournament Schedule
May 5: First Round
May 8: Second Round
May 12: Third Round
May 15: Fourth Round
May 19-23: Regionals
May 27-30: State Championships
North Carolina (NCHSAA) High School Softball 2026 State Playoff Brackets, Matchups, Schedule – May 11
CLASS 1A BRACKET (select to view full bracket details)
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Bear Grass Charter vs. No. 5 Vance Charter
No. 3 East Columbus vs. No. 2 Northside – Pinetown
No. 1 Robbinsville vs. No. 5 Falls Lake Academy
No. 6 Bethany Community vs. No. 2 Oxford Preperatory
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 North Duplin vs. No. 8 Camden County
No. 5 Rosewood vs. No. 4 East Carteret
No. 3 Perquimans vs. No. 11 Pamlico County
No. 10 Franklin Academy vs. No. 2 Manteo
No. 1 South Stanly vs. No. 9 East Wilkes
No. 5 South Stokes vs. No. 4 Starmount
No. 3 Swain County vs. No. 6 Murphy
No. 7 Highland Tech vs. No. 2 Roxboro Community
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Midway vs. No. 9 Providence
No. 12 Wallace-Rose Hill vs. No. 4 Heide Trask
No. 3 Farmville Central vs. No. 11 Ayden – Grifton
No. 10 Northwood vs. No. 2 McMichael
No. 1 West Lincoln vs. No. 8 Union Academy
No. 5 Draughn vs No. 4 Pine Lake Preperatory
No. 3 West Davidson vs. No. 11 East Surry
No. 7 Walkertown vs. No. 2 West Wilkes
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Randleman vs. No. 9 Nash Central
No. 5 Bunn vs. No. 4 East Duplin
No. 3 Southwest Onslow vs. No. 6 Roanoke Rapids
No. 7 Ledford Senior vs. No. 2 Central Davidson
No. 1 West Stokes vs. No. 8 Forbush
No. 5 Pisgah vs. No. 4 West Stanly
No. 19 North Surry vs. No. 11 Foard
No. 10 Mount Pleasant vs. No, 2 Bunker Hill
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Southeast Alamance vs. No. 8 C.B. Aycock
No. 5 Seaforth vs. No. 4 Rockingham County
No. 3 Eastern Alamance vs. No. 6 West Carteret
No. 7 South Brunswick vs. No. 2 Southern Nash
No. 1 Enka vs. No. 9 Oak Grove
No. 5 Crest vs. No. 13 West Rowan
No. 3 North Davidson vs. No. 6 Franklin
No. 10 East Rowan vs. No. 2 North Lincoln
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Union Pines vs. No. 9 South Johnston
No. 5 South View vs. No. 4 Gray’s Creek
No. 3 J.H. Rose vs. No. 6 Harnett Central
No. 7 Triton vs. No. 2 West Brunswick
No. 1 Kings Mountain vs. No. 8 Charlotte Catholic
No. 5 Alexander vs. No. 13 T.C. Roberson
No. 3 Piedmont vs. No. 6 Central Cabarrus
No. 10 A.C. Reynolds vs. No. 2 South Caldwell
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 D.H. Conley vs. No. 8 Wake Forest
No. 5 Purnell Sweet vs. No. 4 Cleveland
No. 3 Heritage vs. No. 6 Topsail
No. 7 South Central vs. No. 2 New Bern
No. 1 Weddington vs. No. 8 Mooresville
No. 5 A.L. Brown vs. No. 4 Hickory Ridge
No. 3 East Forsyth vs. No. 11 Porter Ridge
No. 7 Ronald Reagan vs. No. 2 South Iredell
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Willow Spring vs. No. 4 Hoggard
No. 3 E.A. Laney vs. No. 2 Cornith Holders
No. 1 Providence vs. No. 4 Hough
No. 3 West Forsyth vs. No. 2 Apex Friendship
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North Carolina
Perspective | What North Carolina gets right about workforce: Progress beyond politics
Across the country, workforce development is often framed as a policy challenge. In North Carolina, we’ve come to understand it as something more fundamental: a shared responsibility between educators and employers that works best when it rises above politics. It is a nonpartisan priority with bipartisan support — and a clear focus on outcomes.
North Carolina’s approach to workforce and talent development offers a different model — one grounded in collaboration, consistency, data, and a relentless focus on student and employer needs.
Over the past several years, our state has aligned around an ambitious goal: ensuring that 2 million North Carolinians ages 25-44 hold a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree by 2030. myFutureNC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, led by a bipartisan Board of Directors, that was created to champion this work.
This goal is not owned by a single administration or political party. It is the state’s attainment goal — codified in law with bipartisan support and signed by the governor — to ensure North Carolina remains economically competitive now and into the future. The work is guided by leaders across business, education, policymakers, and philanthropy.
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This kind of alignment doesn’t happen by accident. It requires trust, discipline, and a willingness to prioritize long-term impact over short-term wins — placing the needs of students and employers above the silos that often define education and workforce systems.
North Carolina’s leaders don’t agree on everything, and unanimity is not what makes this work. There is broad agreement on a set of essential truths: Talent is the top driver of economic development. Education fuels economic prosperity, public safety, and healthier communities. Having a robust educational system and an educated population is one of our state’s greatest assets. Economic mobility matters. And preparing people for meaningful work benefits everyone.
This alignment is delivering results. North Carolina has been named the No. 1 state for business three out of the past four years and ranks No. 1 for workforce — reinforcing what’s possible when leaders stay focused on shared priorities.
This strong foundation has enabled progress in areas that often stall in partisan debate. Through strategic policy and philanthropic investments, the state has expanded pathways into high-demand careers, strengthened connections between education and industry, and increased access to work-based learning opportunities, including apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships.
That same foundation is shaping how policy is developed in real time. The proposed Workforce Act of 2026 reflects North Carolina’s cross-sector approach — bringing together business and education leaders, policymakers, and philanthropists to strengthen pathways into high-demand careers and expand access to work-based learning. Rather than introducing a new direction, this Act builds on what is already working, demonstrating how alignment can translate into coordinated action.
The bipartisan-led Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships puts this approach into practice. Building on the state’s existing foundation, the council brings together leaders from industry, education, and government to strengthen coordination across the workforce system. Its value lies not in setting a new direction, but in reinforcing and accelerating a shared one.
This is what it looks like to build systems designed to last. Workforce development is not a one-year initiative or a single funding cycle — it is a long-term investment in people, communities, employers, and the educational infrastructure that supports them. North Carolina’s progress is rooted in structures that bring partners together consistently, align efforts across sectors, and create continuity beyond political cycles.
By embedding collaboration into how the work gets done — not just what gets prioritized — the state has created a model that can evolve over time while staying focused on its goals.
Work remains to be done. Gaps in attainment persist, and ensuring opportunity reaches every corner of the state will require continued focus and innovation. But North Carolina’s significant progress and continued success being No. 1 nationally in many related categories demonstrates what is possible when leaders choose partnership over partisanship.
At a time when it’s easy to focus on what divides us, North Carolina offers a reminder: Some of the most important work we do — preparing people for the future of work and ensuring employers have access to skilled talent — is our north star and unifying force.
And in our shared goal of 2 million by 2030, we are not just building a stronger workforce. We are building a stronger state — for today and for generations to come.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — (AP/WNCN) — The remains of a U.S. Army soldier with ties to North Carolina who went missing during military exercises in Morocco a week ago have been recovered in the Atlantic Ocean, the U.S. military said Sunday. Military teams are still searching for a second missing soldier.
The remains found are those of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 14A Air Defense Artillery officer, who was one of two U.S. soldiers who fell off a cliff during a recreational hike in Morocco while off duty.
Key, 27, from Richmond, Virginia, was a graduate of Methodist University in Fayetteville.
The two were reported missing on May 2 after participating in African Lion, annual multinational military exercises held in Morocco.
Key earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Methodist University in Fayetteville, with minors in international business, entrepreneurship, and business administration.
“A Moroccan military search team found the Soldier in the water along the shoreline at approximately 8:55 a.m. local time May 9, within roughly one mile of where both Soldiers reportedly entered the ocean,” U.S Army Europe and Africa said in a statement.
The two went missing around 9 p.m. near the Cap Draa Training Area outside Tan-Tan, a terrain characterized by mountains, desert and semidesert plains, according to the Moroccan military.
Their disappearance triggered a search-and-rescue operation involving more than 600 personnel from the United States, Morocco and other military partners. The operation deployed frigates, vessels, helicopters and drones.
Search efforts will continue for the missing second soldier, a U.S. defense official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they were not allowed to speak publicly on the issue.
The official said a U.S. contingent remained in Morocco after the multinational war games ended Friday to provide command and control and to continue search and rescue operations.
Key was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, U.S Army Europe and Africa said.
He entered military service in 2023 as an officer candidate and earned his commission through Officer Candidate School in 2024 as an Air Defense Artillery officer. He later completed the Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, according to the statement.
Key is survived by his father, Kendrick Key Sr.; his mother, Jihan Key; his sister, Dakota Debose-Hill; and his brother-in-law, U.S. Army Spc. James Brown.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY NEWS
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The search-and-rescue operation, now in its ninth day, has covered more than 12,000 square kilometers of sea and littoral zone, currently adding around 3,000 square kilometers per day.
The soldiers had been taking part in African Lion 26, a U.S.-led exercise launched in April across four countries – Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal – with more than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations. Since 2004, it has been the largest U.S. joint military exercise in Africa.
In 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed and two others injured during a helicopter crash in Morocco’s southern city of Agadir while taking part in the exercises.
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