The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/592698
98 ■ THE WOLFPACKER 2015-16 WOLFPACK BASKETBALL PREVIEW shooter (28 of 73, 38.4 percent) and sec- ond-most accurate overall shooter (37 for 87, 42.5 percent). Highlighting her sopho- more season was her career-high 21-point effort — thanks to 6-of-9 shooting from three-point range — in the Pack's 71-55 win over Wake Forest Feb. 8. "She can shoot, and that's a premium here," Hill said. "When she's in the game, she has the green light — the only time she gets in trouble is when she's not looking to shoot." "She's gotten a little stronger and quicker, and if we have to play Miah at point, Ashley will get on the floor at the wing because she can shoot it and has gotten better defensively," Moore added. "She's always going to have the challenge of being able to guard, box out and rebound — but if she does those things well enough, and keeps shooting the way she has been, she's going to be a factor." Kaley Moser, the final returning guard and one of only three seniors with forward Ashley Eli and center Carlee Schuhmacher on the squad, will finish her career with the Pack playing the same role she has the past three seasons — being an enthusiastic role player whose biggest contributions have come in practice and off the court. "She's a great kid who represents our program in an A-plus way," Hill said. "She's the perfect support player, always looking to help the younger players, doing whatever she's asked to do, very intelli- gent," Moore added. "She's the kind of player every team needs." Joining Ealy as the newcomers to NC State's backcourt roster are a pair of big, promising guards. Amber Richardson, from Garner, N.C., and Southeast Raleigh High School, was rated as the No. 72 overall recruit in the country by ESPN HoopGurlz, and was an- other McDonald's All-America nominee. A two-time all-conference selection — and player of the year as a junior — the 6-0 Richardson helped her team to a 26-4 re- cord and a state runner-up finish during her senior campaign. "You don't think she's a freshman be- cause of her build," Hill said. "She can put it on the floor and rebound, and is very competitive." "Athletic, great length, strong, and has all the tools to be a good rebounder and de- fensive shut-down person," added Moore. "She has a long way to go, but she's blessed with a lot of good qualities that will help us — hopefully sooner than later." Camille Anderson, who checks in at 5-9 and hails from Buford, Ga., helped her high school win three straight regional titles and the 2015 state championship with a 30-3 re- cord, but is coming off a knee injury suffered during that campaign, according to Hill. "She's a solid, smart player who's work- ing to get back in condition," Hill said. "She can play the point or shooting guard, and can put it on the floor." "She has good fundamentals offen- sively," Moore added. "But like most of the incoming freshmen she needs to learn to be a good team defense player." Better rebounding as a unit and im- proved three-point accuracy are the two main focuses the Pack coaching staff have set for the team, and in particular the back- court players. But with the combination of proven experience returning, and the potential and depth provided by a highly- regarded crop of freshmen, both Hill and his boss should have plenty more reasons to be smiling by the end of this season. ■ ■ 2015-16 NC State Backcourt No. Name Pos. Ht. Cl. Hometown (Previous School) 0 Camille Anderson G 5-9 Fr. Buford, Ga. (Buford) 2 Kaila Ealey G 5-8 Fr. Raleigh (Needham Broughton) 3 Miah Spencer G 5-8 Jr. Decatur, Ga. (Columbia) 4 Ashley Williams G 5-8 Jr. Cary, N.C. (Green Hope) 22 Dominique Wilson G 5-8 R-Jr. Powder Springs, Ga. (University of Arkansas) 23 Amber Richardson G 6-0 Fr. Garner, N.C. (Southeast Raleigh) 30 Kaley Moser G 5-11 Sr. Burlington, N.C. (Williams) Redshirt junior Dominique Wilson, a transfer from Arkansas, was second on the squad in scoring average last year (13.8 points per contest). PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN