After finishing sixth last season, the Rowan women’s basketball team sits tied in first place atop the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) standings, alongside The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) after three conference games.

One of the biggest reasons for this improvement is senior psychology major Charlotte Carlies. Carlies is the team’s starting center. 

Carlies was a transfer student from Millersville University who started her Rowan basketball career last season. Nicole Mallard, who was one of the team captains last season, made Carlies feel comfortable right away with the team.

“I learned a lot from her mentally and physically,” Carlies said. “She definitely taught about the game and how to handle that pressure and how to create something out of it.”

Getting Carlies comfortable was one of the most important things to happen for the team. 

“I improved on being aggressive,” Carlies said. “I want the ball a lot more this year. Last year I was kind of okay if I did not get it. This year I am more assertive and calling for it more. This makes me more of a threat. I have noticed teams are beginning to double me a lot.”

Carlies is the team’s third-leading scorer, averaging 7.9 points per game, and also fifth on the team in assists. A lot of points have been on her go-to move in the most which is her up-and-under move. 

Carlies head coach Kate Pearson has liked the aggressiveness from her 6-3 center, not only for what it has done for Carlies but for the rest of the team as well.

“She has a little more confidence with her demanding the ball and getting herself into position to score,” Pearson said. “She has done a great job at getting offensive rebounds and kicking it out to open players on the perimeter.”

Pearson runs a system that places a heavy emphasis on ball movement. Many players who are Carlies’ height struggle with passing because they are used to being bigger than everyone else which allows them to get easy looks in the paint. Carlies is not one of those bigs, she is a player who when she gets doubled is looking to swing the rock.

“In the past, Charlotte knew she was a great defensive player,” Pearson said. “Now she is an offensive presence as well. We have shooters on the outside and tell them we are doing so well because we are playing inside out. It makes the defense have to choose whether to guard Charlotte or the shooters.”

Carlies has improved Rowan’s defense as a whole. Mostly due to her being back there waiting to block any shot that comes her way. She has 12 blocks so far this season. 

“It is instincts,” Carlies said. “It is a piece of being mental as well, you cannot be too greedy with blocks. The referees might call a clean block a foul if I get too greedy.”

Charlotte does not just make things easier for the perimeter players on offense, she does on defense as well. 

“She has a presence in the paint that affects shots,” Pearson said. “Our guards can afford to be more risky.”

With the way she is playing, she knows she can hit her own personal goals for herself this season.

“Being able to strive through pressure,” Carlies said. “I want to be a leader on and off the floor. I want to be determined to be vocal. I want to be more than a role player.”

Carlies and the rest of the team know what they want to accomplish the rest of the way.

“We want to win NJACs,” Carlies said.

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