The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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BKB PREVIEW 12-13 according to both McCormick and Harper, is maintaining a positive, confident attitude about her abilities. "Every coach and player believes Kody is good," Harper said. "When Kody has that same view of her game, she's going to be very good." McCormick feels Burke's desire to be as perfect a player as possible ("something that's impossible," the coach pointed out) and a tendency to shy away from contact in the paint are the two biggest obstacles to the 6-2 junior's becoming a dual inside-outside threat. "We know she likes to play facing the basket," McCormick said. "But she needs to develop more of a physical mindset. That doesn't mean she needs to go in and bang with Kiana or Keisha, but we need her to have the confidence to be able to go in and post up effectively if we need her to." With returning redshirt junior Lakeesa "Kee" Daniel, McCormick says slow and simple is the key to improving her game and seeing more playing time at either inside position. "She improved from her first season [av- eraging 2.9 points and 3.9 rebounds in 13.7 minutes played over 33 games] because she felt more comfortable," McCormick said. "She just needs to stay within what she's capable of and not try to be flashy or fancy. She's focusing more on making layups and not rushing her jump shot, and they're start- ing to go in more consistently, even when she's pressured. "She can run the floor, hit the three-pointer and get inside for the easy basket — she just has to improve her consistency. If she does, she could give us an option of moving Kody out to the three [wing position]." The returning experience underneath and the addition of Gatling will mean some changes in the Pack's basic game style, Mc- Cormick said. "Offensively, you'll probably see us be- ing more aggressive on drives," she said. "Defensively, we'll be utilizing more help situations and bodying up on people than overplaying on top as we've done before. The mentality now is not to allow the ball into the paint at all rather than try to deny be- cause with Kiana and Keisha inside we feel we'll have better help stopping penetration." While much of the success of NC State's inside game this season will ride on how well the returning veterans can improve their consistency — the buzzword that defines the primary focus of the Pack this season — and whether the team's new post can match the expectations accompanying her, the feeling is that, when it comes to the Pack's game in the paint, there are plenty of reasons to smile. ■ • Commercial and Industrial HVAC • Design/Build • Piping • Custom Metal Fabrication Men's & Women's Clothing Social Occasion | Accessories w w w . k a n n o n s c l o t h i n g . c o m Joe Ann Wright Boo Jefferson Mary-Kat Phillips '76 George Knuckley '81 Dick Wright '76 Since 1977, Systems Contractors, Inc. has provided Industrial & Commercial HVAC Services throughout the Southeast. • Service and Maintenance Contracts • Custom AHU's and Packaged Plants • Engineering Services • Energy Studies Call us today to learn more. 336.449.0300 www.systemscontractors.com QUALITY • EFFICIENCY • INNOVATION NOVEMBER 2012 ■ 83