The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/125393
Moore (center) was an assistant at NC State under Kay Yow for two seasons and helped lead the Wolfpack to a 21-10 record and a berth in the Sweet 16 in 1994-95. photo courtesy nc state media relations "Carolina-First" Plan Tops Recruiting Goals During Wes Moore's two-year tenure as an assistant coach under Kay Yow from 1993‑95, NC State laid the foundation for what would be its most successful women's basketball team, the 1998 Final Four squad led by Chasity Melvin and Summer Erb. That team included five players from the state of North Carolina, including Melvin (from Roseboro) and Peace Sheperd (from Hubert). Yow's last Wolfpack team, in 2008-09, included five in-state players, led by guard Shayla Fields and wing Brittany Strachan, as well as Amber White, a McDonald's High School All-American from Pennsylvania — the last McDonald's All-American to come to Raleigh. But since 2009, only three in-state players (Breezy Williams from Durham, Lakeesa Daniel from Roanoke Rapids and Markeisha Gatling from Raleigh) have stayed "home," and both Daniel and Gatling are transfers who started their college playing careers elsewhere. That's a trend that Moore is determined to reverse as part of his plan to return NC State to ACC and national prominence. "I think North Carolina is where it starts," he said."We have to do a great job in the state. I don't know what the talent level has been here the past couple of years, but I know it's going to be very good for the next few years.There's going to be some great players coming out of North Carolina, and we have to get our fair share." While most of the recruiting efforts under former head coach Kellie Harper brought in players primarily from Texas and the West Coast (due to the contacts of former assistant Richard Barron), Moore plans on returning to the NC State recruiting hotbeds of the 1990s and early 2000s: New York, Philadelphia,Virginia Beach and the East Coast. "When I was here before, we did a nice job in those areas, in Washington, D.C., even up in New York," Moore said. "I grew up in Dallas and I love Texas, but I think our best chance of getting a great player is someone from our region that we can sell them and their family on playing in what, I feel, will be the greatest women's college basketball conference in the country, especially with who's coming in, and on being able to watch them playing close to home." Another key component to enhance the Pack's recruiting success, Moore feels, is the $40 million renovation of Reynolds Coliseum that will modernize the look of the 65-year-old facility and add a Walk of Fame.Although a completion date has not been set, the project is expected to begin within the next two years, Moore said. He also plans to build on the "family" atmosphere nurtured by Yow during her 34-year career. "I've never seen a coach who was so loved and cherished by her players," he said."Having been here a couple of years, I saw why. She cared about the person first, and she would never sacrifice the person for making basketball a priority. "I'm a real people person, and I think we can build on that kind of family atmosphere. If recruits and their parents see that these are the people my daughter is going to be spending the next four years with — and you combine that with the NC State tradition, and what the ACC is going to be the next couple of years — they're going to want to come to NC State." — Brian Rapp said. "I'm a little anxious, being a senior, because it is a new start. We're getting used to each other. But I want to go out with a bang — we all do [speaking for senior teammates Kody Burke, Markeisha Gatling, Breezy Williams and Lakeesa Daniel], and we're all excited about seeing what we have to do to succeed with him." Returning NC State to the glory days of the last 20 years, before the emergence of neighboring rivals North Carolina and Duke as perennial NCAA powers, is a herculean task, as Moore readily acknowledges. "I could have stayed at Chattanooga and, using this analogy, just floated down a lazy river in an inner tube [with the success there]," he said. "Here, you have the chance to get in a kayak and shoot the rapids. "To come back to NC State, a place I love, and to bring my wife [the former Linda Hardison, a native of North Carolina] back home — you can't beat that." ■ Class of 2013 signee Miah Spencer Height: 5-8 School: Decatur (Ga.) Columbia Position: Point guard Statistics and honors: As a senior, Spencer led not just her school, but all of DeKalb County, Ga., in scoring (19.6 points per game) and steals (5.7 per game), and she ranked fourth in the county in assists (3.9 per game). Spencer guided her squad to a second straight state title. She was a second-team all-state selection as a junior after leading her team to a state championship in 2012. Recruitment: Spencer picked NC State in October over Alabama, Syracuse, Mississippi State, Western Carolina and Tennessee-Chattanooga. Spencer on picking NC State: "I liked everything [during her official visit Oct. 5-7]. I got to see the campus and where the players get to stay. I got to see the town, and that was nice. I spent time with all of the players." Wallace Prather Celtics AAU coach Renardo Hudson: "She is just phenomenal and a consistent, smart player. She knows how to win big-time ball games. The NC State fans will love this kid, and want to see her play." Recruiting expert Bret McCormick: "She's pretty quick, has a good body and can pass well. She can run the show. It will be interesting to see how she reacts to the new coach." class of 2013 signee Jennifer Mathurin Height: 6-1 School: Champlain College Saint-Lambert in Saint-Lambert, Que. Position: Forward Statistics and honors: Mathurin averaged 12.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in 2011-12. The season before, Mathurin averaged 13.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Recruitment: Mathurin selected ked NC State in early November over DePaul, Florida, Toledo and Albany. Mathurin on picking NC State: "When they first came and talked to me, I was really impressed. I never really thought that I could go to such a good school, in such a very highly competitive conference like the ACC." (courtesy Crown Magazine) Champlain College-Saint Lambert coach Georges Germanos: "She's a kid that can play inside and outside. At 6-1 she can post up anyone she wants. She's strong enough, she rebounds strong and she has a very excellent shot. I think she has what it takes. She'll be working a bit on her handling skills over the summer." (courtesy Crown Magazine) Toronto-based scout Yaw Afful of Two in the Key: "She has been the top power forward in Quebec the last three years. She has the ability to shoot the three and rebound. Her strength will allow her to compete in the ACC." 54 ■ the wolfpacker 52-54.Wes Moore.indd 54 4/30/13 2:35 PM