On a team full of fresh faces, freshman Kody Burke is making her presence felt as quickly as any newcomer to the women’s basketball team.
Burke is a 6’2″ freshman from Northridge, California. During her senior year at Notre Dame High she averaged 22.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 5.5 blocks, leading her conference in all three statistical categories.
So far in the Pack’s young season, she has been able to bring that momentum to Reynolds Coliseum. In her exhibition debut she put up a double-double on North Greenville University with 11 points and 12 rebounds. In her first two regular season games against College of Charleston and Creighton, she has recorded 14 rebounds with the help of the Reynolds crowd.
“I love it, the whole [thing],” Burke said. “It’s loud and fun and everyone’s engaged in the game. I really like that. I didn’t have that coming from high school.”
Coach Kellie Harper said Burke is well ahead of the usual development for a freshman.
“Kody plays hard, she’s very strong and has some athleticism,” Harper said. “She does a nice job around the basket finishing shots. She understands the game. She already plays above a freshman level with her intelligence. “
The confidence that Harper has gained in Burke has helped propel Burke into the starting lineup.
“We will have Kody Burke in the lineup to start,” Harper said. “She is a great basketball player who just so happens to be a freshman”
Burke believes starting as such a young player has been made possible simply by listening to her coach and working her hardest.
“All I wanted to do was do the small things that Kellie told me to do, like box out and hustle,” Burke said. “So when I stepped on the court I said I have to do the small things that count, and it shows. I think I played a lot better than I showed at practice. If I continue to do the small things, that will help me improve slowly but surely.”
According to sophomore guard Marissa Kastanek, all of the freshmen have been adjusting well to N.C. State and are on the right track toward success.
“I think they’re doing so well,” Kastanek said. “They came in and a lot of stuff was new for them as far as the weight room, the eating habits, the college life, the classes and everything was new. It hit them hard, but with the help of the upperclassmen, the coaches, and the freshmen within themselves, they’ve come together. They’ve been doing really well this year.”
Although Burke has a lot of room for growth this season, she is leading the way inside for this freshman class at State, leaving fans with a lot to look forward to for the next four years.
