North Carolina State University Athletics
PEELER: Strachan Finds Confidence, Comfort As Junior
2/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BY TIM PEELER
RALEIGH, N.C. – Objectively, Brittany Strachan wanted to take NC State off her recruiting radar.
She didn't want to be influenced by the fact that both her parents graduated from NC State.
She tried not to remember the good times she had at football and basketball games growing up as a young kid.
She tried to make a logical decision about the best place for her to go to school and play basketball.
But, given that she wants to major in computer science, get a graduate degree, and play at the highest level possible, there was no overcoming the innate pull to play for the Wolfpack.
"I was around here all the time growing up," said the 6-foot-3 forward from Kernersville, N.C. "It is a place I have always been comfortable. In my mind, I tried to take that out of it during the recruiting process.
"But, in the end, this was the place that had all the things I wanted. It really was the perfect fit for me."
Heading into today's 7 p.m. game at Duke, Strachan has established herself as a good fit for the Wolfpack, as well. She's become one of first-year head coach Kellie Harper's top substitutes, coming off the bench to add some instant energy and fire-power from the 3-point line.
Strachan, who saw limited action as a freshman and was a part-time starter last season, the Wolfpack's top 3-point shooter and leads the ACC with a 44.4 shooting percentage on 3-pointers. She's second only to freshman Marissa Kastanek in 3-pointers made, with 24.
It's a pretty amazing change of circumstance for a player who only made 22.8 of her long-range shots during her first two seasons with the Wolfpack.
"I can't really say why I am shooting it better than I have before," Strachan said. "I spent a lot of time this summer working out, trying to get stronger, and playing a lot of pickup games. I guess after getting my feet wet as a freshman and getting the chance to play last year, things have just sort of come together this year.
"I think the improvement just comes from being more confident and comfortable on the court. My first year, it was kind of getting my feet wet. My sophomore year, I got to play, but it was all new to me. It's still a work in progress, but I think I have been successful because I am more confident and more calm than in previous years."
Strachan spent a good part of the summer back at home in Kernersville, playing pickup games at her local YMCA, at the Sportsplex in Greensboro and in her neighborhood gym. She returned to Raleigh to play pickup games against former players who were still training on campus and her current teammates.
When the first season under Harper kicked off, she felt like she was ready to contribute even more than she did last year, when she started 11 games and averaged 18.8 minutes, 4.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
She fit in well to Harper's system, even though she settled into the role as the team's top reserve instead of a starter. She's averaging more minutes per game (19.9), more points (7.0) and more rebounds (3.5) than she did last year.
She had a career-high 18 points in a 67-66 loss to Georgetown in December and scored 16 points against North Carolina.
She has easily endeared herself to Harper, who appreciates Strachan's work ethic on the court and in the classroom.
"When we put Brittany in a game, we know what we are getting," Harper said. "She has been one of the most consistent players that we have. She wasn't blessed with some of the athletic ability of some of her teammates, but if we ask her to do something, she does everything in her power to get it done."
An academic all-America nominee, Strachan has blend of competitive drive and academic achievement that Harper would like to see in all of her recruits.
"I love Brittany," the coach said. "She makes me smile every day. She has a great attitude. She can laugh at herself. She is low maintenance. She is intelligent, does a great job in the classroom and is just fantastic young lady."
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
