BY DAVID SHAW
SALISBURY POST

RALEIGH — As the first player off N.C. State’s bench, Scooter Sherrill was perfectly happy with the seating arrangement Saturday afternoon.

The attention-gaining freshman from West Rowan made an immediate impact in State’s 103-59 jingle bell rock of a victory over visiting New Hampshire.

“I’m definitely feeling more comfortable out there,” Sherrill said after recording collegiate highs in points (11), rebounds (7), steals (2) and — perhaps most importantly — minutes played (24).

“I’ve still got a long way to go,” he added. “There are lots of things I need to improve. But it’s eight games into the season now and I know the offense a whole lot better. I feel pretty good out there.”

An Entertainment and Sports Arena crowd of 12,359 can attest to that. Sherrill was cheered throughout and heard chants of “Scooter! Scooter!” cascading from the stands on at least two occassions.

“He’s really coming around,” said teammate Archie Miller. “You can’t expect a guy to come off the bench, playing a minute here and four minutes there, and light things up right away. But that’s what he did today.”

Sherrill helped State (6-3) silence the whispering critics who questioned its intensity and desire following last Saturday’s 68-63 loss at Georgia. He replaced guard Anthony Grundy, who got into early foul trouble, with 14:22 remaining in the first half and the Wolfpack holding a 12-11 lead. Within a minute he made a steal in the backcourt, led a fastbreak down the left side and threaded a pass to Miller down the lane for a three-point play.

“That was just reading the defense,” said Sherrill. “I wanted to come in and make something happen. When that opportunity came up I was just thankful we were able to convert it.”

State, which placed six scorers in double figures, proceded to transform the game into a much-needed wipeout. Damien Wilkins, who topped everyone with a season-best 20 points, followed with 3-pointer from the right corner before Kenny Inge’s industrial-strength jam gave State a 10-point edge.

“That loss to Georgia took a lot of confidence out of us,” Wilkins said after sinking nine of 12 field goal attempts. “There was a sense of urgency for us to put 40 minutes of great basketball together. We were hungry for this.”

State turned it into an all-you-can-eat buffet late in the first half and the first guy in line was Sherrill. He made another steal near the visitors basket, raced down the floor and nailed a 3-pointer from the right corner for a 37-22 lead, inducing a New Hampshire timeout and a loud ovation.

“I don’t know what he did in high school,” said Grundy. “But I’ve watched him in practice and in our games and he is just an amazing shooter. I think time on the court is what’s helping him. With more repitition a lot of things can elevate.”

State extended its lead to 44 points when reserve guard Trey Guidry hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 4:15 to play and broke the 100-point mark on Clifford Crawford’s promo-film dunk with 1:08 to go.

“I’m pleased with our play,” State coach Herb Sendek said. “We came back this week in practice and emphasized ball pressure. We have not had it all season. We took a positive step in that direction.”

With the ACC season looming just down the road, it came at most opportune time. “Our best basketball is still in front of us,” said Grundy. “Hopefully, we’ll get on a roll and it’ll carry into the conference.”

NOTES: State returns to action Friday when UNC-Asheville visits (HTS/7:30 p.m.). It’s the first game senior center Damon Thorton will be eligible to play in following an October DWI charge. He has been the Pack’s leading rebounder each of the past three seasons. ... The Pack shot 59 percent from the floor (33-for-56) and dished out 21 assists. ... Sherrill made two of his five 3-point tries and is now shooting 47 percent (8-for-17) from downtown this season.