The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1364233
MAY/JUNE 2021 ■ 29 JUSTIN H. WILLIAMS he NC State women's basket- ball team had arguably its best season in program history in 2020-21. The Wolfpack won its second consecutive ACC Tour- nament, became the third team in the past 20 years to defeat two No. 1-ranked opponents in one season and earned the program's first No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. With the announcement that seniors Kayla Jones, Kai Crutchfield and Raina Perez will all return for another season, the Wolfpack will retain its top eight scorers from the 2020-21 campaign. Following its emergence as one of the nation's top programs in women's college basketball, the Pack has enjoyed greater success on the recruiting trail and that is reflected in its 2021 class. NC State will welcome a three-woman freshman class in 2021 that includes 5-9 guard Aziaha James of Princess Anne High in Virginia Beach, Va.; 6-5 center Sophie Hart of Farmington High in Farmington, Minn.; and 5-8 guard Jessica Timmons of Independence High in Charlotte, N.C. ESPN ranked the Wolfpack's 2021 class No. 13 nationally, the fifth-highest placement among ACC schools and one of six programs in the conference to be listed in the top 25. "We're very excited about this class and the versatility they bring to our team," head coach Wes Moore said. "It's always good when you can address needs while also adding outstand- ing additional talent. We're confident Aziaha, Sophie and Jessica will help us continue our run as one of the top programs in the country." The Pack's returning talent along with its strong recruiting class alone would have it ranked inside the top 10 of most preseason polls, but Moore wasn't satisfied with that. Instead, the Wolfpack coaching staff added two prized transfers: freshman guard Dia- mond Johnson of Rutgers and freshman guard Madison Hayes of Mississippi State, who were both top-30 national recruits a year ago. After reaching the Sweet 16 in three con- secutive tournaments, NC State will face even higher expectations in 2021-22 with a roster that will be considered one of the deepest in the country. A 'Lefty Scoring Machine' James is the highest-ranked signee of the Wolfpack's 2021 class, with ESPN Hoop- Gurlz listing her as the nation's No. 17 guard and No. 36 overall player. The four-star tal- ent is also the third-highest-ranked prospect to be signed by Moore and will play along- side the two that were ranked above her next season: sophomore wing Jakia Brown- Turner (No. 16 in the 2019 class) and sopho- more forward Jada Boyd (No. 34 in 2019). "Wolfpack Nation is a good nation to be a part of," James told ESPN Radio 94.1 in the Tidewater region. "When I went on my visit I just felt this was home. You always have to go with your instincts. "They're a good, winning program. I felt like I could be a part of that and make the program even better. My whole family, my mom and me are glad to be a part of the Pack." James, who was also ranked as the No. 7 T Guard Aziaha James is the highest-ranked 2021 Wolfpack signee, checking in as the nation's No. 36 overall prospect per ESPN HoopGurlz. PHOTO BY MATTHEW HATFIELD/VIRGINIAPREPS.COM MORE FIREPOWER NC State Welcomes A Top-15 Recruiting Class And Two Highly Touted Transfers