Over the past couple of years, Northwestern’s frontcourt has had trouble competing with the bigger, more physical units in the rest of the Big Ten.

That could change this season, with the addition of freshman center Amy Jaeschke, a 6-foot-5 McDonald’s All-American and one of the highest-ranked recruits in NU history.

“Amy came a couple times in the spring. My first impression was that I’ve never played with someone like her,” sophomore captain and point guard Beth Marshall said. “She brings something new to the team – one, being 6’5,” and second, being an All-American and all the experience that comes with that.”

Named a McDonald’s All-American, Jaeschke was also ranked No. 5 in her position and No. 27 overall by Scout.com.

“We haven’t had anyone over 6-feet in a couple years,” coach Beth Combs said. “We’ve been watching her since her freshman year. She’s All-American – that’s what draws you to her.”

Having attended New Trier High School in Wilmette, Ill., Jaeschke is well known locally. She led her team to two state championships during her career, scoring a total of 2,031 points. Her senior year, she averaged 18.0 points per game and 12.9 rebounds per game and led her team in scoring 29 times and rebounding 31 times. She was also named to the Chicago Tribune’s First-Team All State team in 2006, and was a three-time all-conference selection.

“Being an All-American and being from next door, Amy will help us publicity-wise,” Marshall said. “She’ll draw in a good fan base.”

During her senior year, Jaeschke was both the leading scorer and rebounder in 29 out of 34 games. There are high hopes for her to do the same for the Cats.

“We’ve been a perimeter team, but now our focus is going to be our inside game,” Combs said. “We expect her to be a double-digit scorer and rebounder.”

Jaeschke, the only high school finalist for the national under-21 team, recently played for the 2007 USA women’s under-19 World Championship team. Having experienced playing against the toughest competition around the world, she plans to transfer what she learned there to her college career.

“What didn’t work while playing on the USA team, won’t work at this level either,” she said.

Jaeschke said she took away invaluable lessons from the experience.

“You go against the highest competition in the world,” Jaeschke said. “Even in practice, I had to go against the best girls in my age group. A lot of the moves I used in high school didn’t work at this level, and I had to learn a lot of new ways to score and get open.”

Despite various offers from elite schools and respected basketball programs such as Duke, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue and Stanford, Jaeschke chose to play for NU.

“The other schools have already made themselves known (in basketball),” Jaeschke said. “I wanted to go with a team that is trying to make a statement, and I wanted to help them get there.”

Combs expects to start Jaeschke right away, but also acknowledges the obstacles in doing so.

“She is going to be double-teamed. She is going to need to work hard,” Combs said. “(Jaeschke) will be the focus of our opponents, so we have to be able to go to others.”

With the offense’s shift of focus from the guards to the centers, Jaeschke is expected to be a large contributor to the offense.

“The big difference is (that) now teams can’t just focus on defending guards. We have posts to get the job done.” Marshall said. “Amy has a great inside game and a great 15-foot range … teams have to play us honest now.”

Jaeschke’s personal goals are to help the team to have at least a .500 season, and to “become a dominant force inside and score and rebound.”

Although she missed summer workouts due to the U19 team, she feels like she has bonded well with the team.

“I already played with two other girls (on NU) earlier in my career, and the coaches have been really great,” Jaeschke said. “The seniors have all given me helpful hints and have been great leaders on the team.”

Her coaches and teammates think highly of her, noting her hard work and significant presence on the court.

“She brings a lot to the program,” Marshall said. “I know there is a lot of pressure on her, but being her teammate and captain, I just want her to do the best she can.”

Combs said Jaeschke has dealt with the high expectations placed on her.

“She knew coming in (that) she had to establish herself as a dominant post, and she has done just that,” Combs said. “She pushes herself everyday, and doesn’t settle for any less.”

Reach Jessie Cai at [email protected].