The next wave of women’s college basketball talent began making things official Wednesday when the early signing period kicked off its week-long run (through Nov. 15). Here are some of the highlights so far:
The A-Team – Given that Old Dominion’s Nikki McCray inherited a roster with more holes than a colander, we knew the early signing period would bring plenty of news from Hampton Boulevard. Sure enough, ODU announced four newcomers Wednesday – Amaya Register, Ajah Wayne, Amari Young and – lest you thought this was just a first-name thing – Mariah Adams. No need to check stats – we know what grade to give this group.
Fortunately for Lady Monarchs fans, the resumes of these players deserve high marks, too. And the best “A” may be yet to come – ODU has a verbal commitment from Aziah Hudson, a 5-7 guard out of New York who is ranked No. 83 in ESPN’s Top 100.
The third one’s…a Hokie? – Michaela Mabrey chose Notre Dame (2012), and three years later, Marina Mabrey did, too. But much to the delight of the folks in Blacksburg, the latest college prospect in the sweet-shooting Mabrey clan, Dara, is headed to Virginia Tech.
Dara Mabrey was New Jersey’s Gatorade Player of the Year after several heroic performances in leading Manasquan High to the state’s prestigious Tournament of Champions final. We’re already looking forward to hearing about those in-house 3-point shootouts between Mabrey and current Tech soph Kendyl Brooks. And while Michaela and Marina spent one season playing with each other, Dara’s freshman year at Tech will feature at least one game against senior Marina and the Fighting Irish in ACC play. Save us a couple of seats, preferably next to proud parents Patti and Roy Mabrey.
Virginia Tech’s 2018-19 class also includes a promising point guard prospect in 5-6 Shaniya Jones of North Carolina, ranked No. 79 by ESPN.
Best name: Candidates will continue to trickle in over the next week, but for now our clubhouse leader is Piper Morningstar, a 6-0, high-IQ guard from North Alleghany High (Pa.) and one of three Radford signees. Unique. Descriptive. Yeah, “Piper Morningstar” is going to be tough to beat. By the way, Morningstar’s father, 6-10 ex-Pitt star Darren, was a second-round draft choice of the Boston Celtics in 1992 (the Shaquille O’Neal draft).
Also new to Radford for 2018-19 – jet-quick guard Bryonna Ferebee, yet another star out of Virginia Beach’s Princess Anne High and a player Highlanders coach Mike McGuire called “maybe the fastest kid I will have ever coached.”
Sister, sister – Thanks to Twitter, we now know what siblings Esperanza and Natazanya Crespin of New Mexico’s Highland High have planned on Thursday afternoon:
On Wednesday, Hampton also got a signature from 6-2 post Alexsis Johnson from Fort Myers High (Fla.).
Others signings of note: Liberty, which typically loads up on post players, has added 6-2 center/forward Lizzie Moore of Valley Christian High in San Jose, Calif. … Claire Holt, one of three finalists for Alabama 7A Player of the Year honors, and Madelyn Neff, an all-state performer from Wisconsin, have joined Richmond…Caroline Stover, a 6-3 center from Massachusetts, is officially bound for William and Mary.
We will update as we get more!