The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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98 ■ THE WOLFPACKER WOLFPACK BASKETBALL PREVIEW Boric is also a traditional back-to-the-basket post player — which initially may hinder her minutes until she develops additional moves. Greensboro's Akela Maize was ranked as the 16th-best center in the nation last year by ESPN. She is also 6-5, quick, agile and "super athletic," according to West. "She runs the floor like a deer, and I re- ally see great things for her in the future," West said. Moore also feels Maize may have the most promising upside to start this season with her length and quickness — but her willow-thin frame isn't the best fit for the physical banging she'll face in ACC com- petition. "She needs to get stronger and develop post moves she trusts and can be successful with," Moore added. "But we can't question her effort or work ethic." Strength and experience are both pro- vided by 6-1 junior Carlee Schuhmacher, the latest junior college transfer to suit up for the Pack. A two-year starter at Des Moines (Iowa) Area Community College, the Watertown, Wis., native was named a first-team Na- tional Junior College Athletic Association Division II All-American in 2013 and holds the school single-season records for points (522) and rebounding average (11.4 per game). As a freshman at DMACC, she led the Iowa Community College Athletic As- sociation in points, rebounds and blocked shots. "She's a little undersized at this level for a four, but she knows how to score against taller opponents," West said. "She can play on the block or step out and shoot the three — and she's definitely a banger." Freshman Chelsea Nelson rounds out the newcomers inside. A native of Antioch, Tenn., the 6-1 forward has been on the Pack's coaching staff's radar since their days at Chattanooga. "She's a guard in ability," West said. "She can handle the ball, shoot the three, can pass and is very athletic. She can attack the rim, as well. She needs to work on her decision making, but that will improve with playing time." Admittedly, West knows the challenge facing her frontcourt personnel is a cliff, compared to the wall she faced a year ago with an unknown group of seniors that pro- duced one of the most surprising successes in the program's 41-year history. "We never expected Keisha would have the kind of year she had," West pointed out. "There's definitely potential with these kids — it's up to us as coaches now to bring it out. I look forward to the challenge — we're going to be young, but fun." ■ Carlee Schuhmacher, a 6-1 junior, was a two-year starter at Des Moines (Iowa) Area Community College, where she was named a first-team National Junior College Athletic Association Division II All-American in 2013. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS ■ 2014-15 NC State Frontcourt No. Name Pos. Ht. Cl. Hometown (Previous School) 15 Sara Boric C 6-5 Fr. Banja Luca, Bosnia (Tehnicka Skola) 10 Ashley Eli F 5-11 Jr. Mansfield, Texas (Summit) 32 Akela Maize C 6-5 Fr. Greensboro, N.C. (New Hope Christian Academy) 11 Jennifer Mathurin F 6-1 So. Montreal, Quebec (Champlain College St. Lambert) 5 Chelsea Nelson F 6-1 Fr. Antioch, Tenn. (John Overton) 25 Carlee Schuhmacher F/C 6-1 Jr. Watertown, Wis. (Watertown)