‘Got some work to do’: Takeaways from NC State women’s exhibition win over Anderson
Wolfpack head coach Wes Moore pulled freshman Zamareya Jones several times on Tuesday night to discuss what the freshman did well … and what she didn’t. Those moments defined the team’s exhibition game: A lot of positives but a lot of things to improve.
N.C. State defeated Anderson, 91-54, at Reynolds Coliseum in a matchup that provided the new roster a chance to evaluate where it stands with the new roster. Moore is pleased with the win, even though it won’t count in the official record.
But he recognizes the team has a long way to go if it wants to be one of the best teams in the nation, like it was last season while making the Final Four.
“Obviously last year was special. You get greedy and get used to it, and you want to keep playing at a high level,” Moore said. “We missed some of those players that had graduated. We missed some of the ones that were out tonight with injuries, but, overall, we’ve just got to play better.”
Offensively, the team put on a well-rounded performance. Five scored in double figures, while all nine players scored at least five points and pulled down three or more rebounds.
Jones led the team with 19 points on 6 of 9 shooting. She added nine rebounds and four assists.
Saniya Rivers notched a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double. She contributed a five assists. Most importantly, she was one of the team’s leaders in effort and leadership. In the first half, Rivers came flying from the backcourt to nab a defensive rebound.
On the defensive end, Moore wants to see better effort. The Pack finished with a 69.1% stoppage percentage, which calculates the rate of defensive possessions when the team does not allow the opposition to score. Meanwhile, Lorena Awou was the only player with a defensive rating below 50. The defensive rating calculates the number of opponent points scored per 100 possessions.
“We’ve got to guard better,” Moore said. “Fifty-four points is a lot of points to give up against a non-DI, even though they’re a very talented team.”
Even though Moore felt like there’s room to be significantly better, he’s happy the team got the opportunity to play before the real competition begins.
“We’ll watch the film tonight — the coaches will — and we’ll bring them in Thursday and watch it,” Moore said. “That’s the great thing about these is you really get an opportunity to see things. A picture’s worth 1,000 words, right? The eye in the sky don’t lie. It’ll be good.”
Here are three takeaways from the Wolfpack’s exhibition win:
Zamareya Jones = Zoe Brooks 2.0?
Unfortunately, because this win does not count neither do Jones’ impressive stats. The true freshman’s 19 points led the team in scoring.
The guard’s play wasn’t just impressive because of the numbers but her effort. Jones’ performance included a slick drive to the bucket and layup, a defensive rebound and layup on the fast break, a tough defensive effort, and she was always looking for ways to help her teammates score. She looked a lot like how now-sophomore Zoe Brooks played last season.
That’s what Jones did in high school and the reason N.C. State recruited her. Moore said the biggest thing he wants to see her clean up is the assist-to-turnover ratio — she had four turnovers and four assists — and manage the team effectively.
“I’m very fortunate I get a year with her,” Rivers said. “Just like she showed you tonight, she can do everything, play both sides of the ball, feed her teammates, and also score. I just love her death, and she’ll do anything she can do to contribute to a win. We’re lucky to have her.”
“It felt good just being out there, getting used to it,” Jones added. “I got some work to do, but (it’s the) first game, so we’re just gonna keep going.”
Wolfpack still finding chemistry
N.C. State returned four major contributors from its Final Four run but Rivers was the only one who played against Anderson.
Madison Hayes and Aziaha James missed the game with minor injuries, while Brooks was available but did not play. That left a rotation of players who either hadn’t played a game together or played previous minutes, and it’s clear they’re still figuring out how to play together.
The team finished the game with 16 turnovers, several of which could be attributed to a lack of communication and knowledge of where certain players would be on the floor.
For example, with 2:55 left in the first half, Devyn Quigley attempted a bounce pass to Tilda Trygger for a layup. Quigley was off the mark and turned the ball over. Similarly, Jones looked inside for Lizzy Williamson for a layup. Her pass was also off and led to a turnover.
At this point in the season, it’s not a cause for concern. The Wolfpack played four freshmen and three sophomores, so mistakes are bound to happen.
Jones and Rivers said the players are still getting comfortable with each other but believe this is something they have full control over.
“We can’t always control the shots going in or them scoring, but we can definitely control passing and meeting the passes; just limiting that and keeping the margin very, very slim,” Rivers said. “That was a good team, well coached, but in games that are a little bigger, we have to definitely limit those, because they’re going to cost us in the end.”
Hayes and Brooks are nursing minor injuries and should return to the lineup soon. James will be out for a longer period, though there’s no official time table, but her knee injury is not serious.
Frontcourt toughness remains a work in progress
There were times on both ends of the floor when every player, regardless if they were playing at forward or center, looked soft.
Lorena Awou, at times, struggled to handle the ball. She finished with two turnovers. Lizzy Williamson and Mallory Collier got beat on rebounding and couldn’t always muscle through contact. Moore wants to see more toughness from Maddie Cox and Tilda Trygger.
“If I’m in a dark alley, I want Mimi Collins with me,” Moore said. “She’s gonna help you get out of there. Maddie Cox, Tilda got to be more physical, got to be more aggressive, got to be nasty. Tilda, for instance, is the sweetest person in the world, maybe, but when she steps between those lines, we need her to be a little bit of a butt. We’ll see if we can get there.”
It wasn’t all bad, though. Specifically at the post position, Williamson, Awou and Collier went 12 of 15 from the field for 30 points and 16 rebounds.
Rivers said she hopes the group’s success is a confidence booster.
“(That’s) not the best team we’re going to see. We’ve got South Carolina in a couple of weeks. Hopefully, they can really bring some more energy, but we’re pleased for now.”
