April 1, 2006

Saturday was a busy day for the Tar Heels. It began with the WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association) press conference honoring the 2006 Kodak All-America team. UNC's Ivory Latta was named to the squad, giving the Tar Heels a Kodak honoree for the first time since 1998.

From the press conference, it was off to the TD Banknorth Garden, where the Tar Heels spent several hours, beginning with a 30-minute autograph session. Next up was a one-hour practice that was open to the public. Then the team answered questions and looked ahead to Sunday's game against Maryland in media interviews.

Late in the afternoon, coach Sylvia Hatchell was back at another press conference, this one recognizing her as the Associated Press Coach of the Year.

The 2006 Kodak/WBCA All-America Team Ivory and Georgia's Tasha Humphrey Ivory and Coach Hatchell pause for a photo before heading straight to practice.

Rashanda McCants gets in some shooting at practice. Coach Hatchell directs the team. The Tar Heels run a drill.

LaToya Pringle shows her reach. TD Banknorth Garden is dressed up for the Final Four. Several thousand spectators watched the open practices.

Assistant coach Charlotte Smith-Taylor works with LaToya Pringle. The Tar Heels huddle up. Antics after practice

Christina Dewitt thanks the Tar Heel fans in attendance. Ivory Latta fields a question at the team's press conference. After practice, it was time for the A.P. awards announcement honoring LSU's Seimone Augustus and UNC's Sylvia Hatchell.

UNC's Sylvia Hatchell and Roy Williams won this year's A.P. coaching awards, marking the first time that the honors had been won by coaches from the same school in the same year. The cheerleaders came to help celebrate the award. The band provided a festive environment.