| 44 Cherie Lea |
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1999-2000 Season Notes: One of just three UNC players to appear in all 33 games ... Recipient of the team's Coach's Award ... Started 10 games in January and February ... Scored a career-high 15 points during 24 minutes of play against Duke on Jan. 27 ... Provided a boost for the team with her defensive play, including a key steal on an in-bounds play near the end of UNC's 78-74 win at Florida State on Feb. 22 ... Hit two free throws late in the Jan. 30 game against Maryland to seal the win ... Averaged 2.3 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists over her freshman season
At Bartlett Yancey High: Coached by Hamilton Perkins ... School's Scholar-Athlete of the Year as a senior ... Four-time team MVP ... In 1998-99, Bartlett Yancey won the sectional championship and finished second in the region ... Four-time all-conference and three-time all-region selection ... Owns Barlett Yancey's all-time scoring and assist records and ranks third in steals and rebounding ... Regional Player of the Year in 1998 ... Played club basketball for the Greensboro Gaters, the N.C. Emeralds and the Piedmont Express ... Member of Future Business Leaders of America
Personal: Cherie Lea was born July 6, 1981, in Danville, Va., and is the daughter of Herman and Elsie Lea ... She has two older brothers, 20-year-old KerChad and 23-year-old Deva ... Deva played basketball at Elon College ... Majoring in mathematics
Q and A with Cherie Lea
- What is your favorite class you've taken at UNC? "Geography 006E, a first-year seminar on the American Landscape. The professor was excellent and I learned a lot."
- What is your favorite thing about being a student-athlete at UNC? "That people recognize you and encourage you to do well."
- What are your career goals? "To play in the WNBA, coach basketball and teach math."
- How did you spend last summer? "In Australia for two weeks, taking summer school classes and conditioning."
- What has been the highlight of the off-season for you? "Going to Australia."
- On what part of your game have you focused in the off-season? "Shooting."
- What have you done in the off-season to improve your game? "Played ball with my brothers and other guys."
- What are your goals for this season? "To be well-conditioned and be a great defender and scorer."
- What is the most important thing you've learned from your years of playing basketball? "To stay calm in pressure situations."
- What has been the greatest moment in your athletic career? "Playing against Duke in the ACC Tournament championship game."
- What do you do to prepare yourself before each game? "Take a quick nap and listen to gospel music."
- Do you have any basketball-related superstitions? "I like to wear a headband or wristband for every game."
- Who or what has inspired you to excel in basketball? "My family."
- After what player have you modeled your game? "Scottie Pippen."
- What is your earliest basketball memory? "The first time I picked up a ball was when I was in the second grade and my oldest brother was in practice. I shot the ball at an empty basket."
- What word best describes you? "Optimistic."
- What is the best advice you have received? "'To always put God first and never be intimidated by anyone,' from my parents and my oldest brother."
- What advice would you give a girl beginning to learn the game of basketball? "Never give up. It's going to be hard, but keep practicing."
- What is something most people don't know about you? "That I am a very shy person."
- How would you spend your ideal day? "Get up at noon, have lunch already made, chill all day and have my man fix me dinner."
- What are your hobbies or pastimes? "Chillin' and watching television."
- What is one talent you have, other than basketball? "Dancing."
- Anything else you'd like to add? "I love UNC!"
