Meet the UNCA Lady Bulldogs basketball team
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — On a crisp winter Wednesday, we walked into the bright and spacious Kimmel Arena on the UNCA campus to the high-pitched roar of enthusiastic fans. The Lady Bulldogs had just tipped off against the crosstown adversary Warren Wilson Owls. Loud cheers bounced off the stadium walls from the bleachers full of uniquely pint-sized fans holding hand-drawn signs. It was Education Day, and the arena was packed with grade schoolers from half a dozen local schools, some in matching uniforms, many waving signs, all happily cheering on the action on the court.
As the game went on, Division I UNCA took a decisive lead against their D3 opponents from neighboring Swannanoa. The crowd continued to erupt in gleeful squeals – cheering on Rocky the Bulldog during a mid-game hype up, and almost losing their minds with excitement when their teachers were called to center court for a half-time dance competition.
When the game ended and the Bulldogs had secured a comfortable win, kids filed down to the boards to meet the players. Armed with fresh Sharpies, the team greeted their young fans with cordial smiles, happily signing their names and jersey numbers on shirts and sweatshirts.
“I’m signing jackets wondering, is your mom going to be okay with this?” reflected Junior Guard McKinley Brooks-Sumpter with a smile.
For some young fans, Education Day presents an opportunity to meet their pen pals. Coaches and teachers work together to match players with students to foster bonds within the community and offer kids healthy role models. The student athletes of the UNCA women’s basketball team are up for the task, bringing D1-level commitment, focus, and energy to the court and the classroom.
I watched a kid in a hoodie walk shyly up to senior forward Jamaya Blanks and ask how her holidays were. With a warm smile, she held his gaze, shared her favorite foods, and asked about his. Other kids approached players with their shoes in hand, asking for autographs, perhaps in hopes that it might offer some extra speed for the next recess pickup game.
Focus and Friendship
After the hordes of kids found their way back onto their respective buses, I sat down with four members of the team. Hoping to get straight to the juicy details and off-court drama, I first asked how they liked to unwind after dealing with the dueling stresses of the school year and basketball season. If I expected to hear some college-appropriate comment about campus parties and weekend camping trips, I was way off base.
Senior guard Faith Adams jumped in right away and, instead of sharing stories of off-court shenanigans, offered easy praise for her coach, Honey Brown.
“Coach Brown helps us a lot. We’ll have shorter practices or a day just for treatments. We might have more off-days. We might have a practice but it’ll just be shooting. She knows that we go through a lot with the mental aspect of school.”
For this team, basketball is a full-time job and, for many players, it’s in their blood. Junior Forward Abigail Wilson, an engineering student, comes from an athletic family and has been playing basketball “since [she] could walk.”
That level of commitment is not optional. Even over the holidays, the team stays close to campus and remains focused on upcoming games. As a relatively young team with only a handful of seniors, the 2022-2023 Bulldogs are intent on building the cohesion and trust to propel them through a successful season.
An Extended Family
Luckily, no player has to go it alone. In many ways, this team functions like a family. They live and eat together and spend countless hours together during practices, traveling for road games, conditioning, and doing community activities. Through it all, they have each other’s backs. Whether its a well-timed rebound or a much-needed trip to Wing Stop to refuel, this team bonds.
For a team to come together, that trust is crucial. It can be the difference between a winning and losing season. Junior Guard Jamia Blake offered insight into how they build trust: “Our team always harps on our purpose and our goals, like vulnerability and safety. Just having that space where we can all be our authentic selves and work together through our tough times.” And it’s not always comfortable or easy.
She continued, “It’s the power of forgiveness as well. The power of saying I’m sorry. All that stuff comes in and trust builds.”
Wilson chimed in, “We were just talking about being each other’s hype man. Encouraging each other, cheering each other on.”
While coaches may focus on skills and performance, teammates provide a scaffolding of support, with upperclassmen stepping up to help out younger players as they adjust to life on campus.
“Good upperclassmen make the difference,” added Adams. “They’ve been there and are able to help model the way.”
Building Skills that Go Beyond the Court
The players speak about their role on their team in grounded, humble tones, which was especially surprising after such an absolute rout of a matchup. It’s obvious that the culture of the team includes a commitment to success and accountability, as well as a well-formed support system for one another. This team knows that winning is about way more than physical skill.
“It’s a 50/50 split,” said Brooks-Sumpter about the balance of mental and physical prowess on the court. “If you’re missing the skill, you’re going to obviously lack. But if you’ve got the skill and your mind’s not there, it’s going to be just as bad. [Mindset] is just as important.”
With that focus on mindset, this team produces not only student athletes but well-rounded citizens. While the pen pal program connects players with grade schoolers who come to games on Education Days to cheer on their idols, the team also facilitates opportunities for athletes to interact with the professional community to help smooth the transition post-graduation. A program called Leaders for Leaders matches players with local leaders who offer mentorship and career guidance. Blake connected with a retired sports marketing agent through the program. “He’s my mentor,” she said. “We have a great connection.”
Calling All Fans
Indeed, UNCA is building connections between their student athletes and the community in many ways, including offering affordable season ticket packages. For young athletes and community members alike, the experience of a UNCA Lady Bulldogs game is not only fun but inspiring as well.
Their games are energetic, fast-paced, and (mostly) competitive. Players collaborate on and off the court where they review plays and dance during media timeouts. It’s electrifying and, above all, it’s enjoyable. Feeling connected to this team is easy, and the connection goes both ways. “We love when we see people outside of games. We love going to the men’s games and seeing how lit people are for them. We love our fans,” said Adams.
When you attend a UNCA basketball game, you’ll discover a new sense of connection with your community. I watched these athletes exhibit intense focus, athleticism, and drive and immediately felt invested in them. I wanted them to succeed the same way I want my home city to thrive.
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