The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/672211
MAY 2016 ■ 57 backups sufficient playing time during the non-conference half of the schedule to be able to play them in critical minutes later in the year — which may have contributed to the Pack's late-game losses to Louisville, FSU and Syracuse. "With the size of our roster and the fact that we had to work hard to win a lot of those non-conference games because they were so close, we wound up relying mostly on our veterans," he admitted. "Part of that is my fault, and we have to find a way next year to have a bigger rotation, more depth and keep everyone engaged." Graduation will claim Schuhmacher, a two-year starter who helped the Pack make the transition inside after losing All-ACC pick and WNBA draftee Keisha Gatling in 2014; senior forward Ashley Eli, who saw action in just six games after ruptur- ing an Achilles tendon at the end of last season; and backup guard Kaley Moser, the program's first-ever four-year walk-on who played in just 32 games — five this season — but was lauded by Moore as a vital role player and mentor to the squad's younger players. Two other team members, redshirt fresh- man post Sara Boric and freshman forward Lena Niang, have indicated they will trans- fer, according to Moore. Boric, a 6-5 class of 2014 recruit from Bosnia, sat out all last season due to academic issues stemming from the transfer of her prep courses and played in just seven games this year, scoring nine total points. The 6-2 Niang saw action in just eight games and scored 15 points. With 11 returning veterans, including all five of the team's top scorers this season, the addition of three promising newcomers and a return to the newly renovated confines of Reynolds Coliseum awaiting, the Pack's coach and his players are confident that next season will prove worthy enough for a post- season tournament that was denied this year. ESPN.com has rated the Pack No. 25 in its "way-too-early preseason top 25" for 2016-17. "I just want to prove all the doubters wrong and make the NCAA Tournament," said redshirt junior guard Dominique Wil- son, who led the Pack with a 15.3 scoring average and, along with Spencer, was named second team All-ACC this season. "We do that by getting everyone to focus and not take anything for granted — by going hard for all 40 minutes of a game." "With the people we have coming back, the knowledge we have, the freshmen that did get playing time, I feel we'll be ready," added Spencer, who averaged the most as- sists per game (4.8) for a State player since 1993. "I'm excited — this is my last year, so I might as well go out with a bang." ■ Gardner Marsh Gas Equipment Company, Inc. 8209 Brownleigh Drive 2119 Jody Road Raleigh, NC 27617 Florence, SC 29501 Ph: 919 787 8214 Ph: 843 669 3136 Ph: 800 334 9245 Ph: 800 868 8988 Fax: 800 400 2596 Fax: 843 661 5236 Web: www.gardnermarsh.com HALE PLUMBING INC. Commercial & Residential Plumbing James K. Hale (Kenny), President 910 Park Ave. Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 252 537 9871 | JKHale252@gmail.com NC & VA Licensed