La Crosse’s Donarksi solid all-around game, as No. 17 Tar Heels improve to 3-0

La Crosse native Lexi Donarski had eight points, three steals, three assists and three rebounds in helping the No. 17 North Carolina women’s basketball team improve to 3-0.

Donarski, who played 30 minutes, shot 3-for-8, including 2 of 6 from deep but also had three turnovers, as the Tar Heels won 62-32 over Hampton.

Donarski is averaging 12.3 points and has started all three games for North Carolina, which next plays home against Elon at 2 p.m. Saturday.

For La Crosse area residents hoping to see the former Aquinas High School star play in person, the best bet might be Jan. 7 at Notre Dame, which is about a six-hour drive.

Donarski played her first three seasons at Iowa State, before transferring as a graduate student to N.C.

The Aquinas High School graduate was Wisconsin’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior, when she averaged 24.2 points. She led the Blugolds to four state tournaments and two state titles — her last season was cut short before the championship due to COVID-19.

Donarski was a McDonald’s All-American and also a member of the Jordan Brand Classic girls national team.