RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan College women's basketball team has signed three players to National Letters of Intent, Head Coach John Olenowski announced today. The nationally-ranked class consists of Sheba Hall (Ardmore, Pa.), Nicole Isaacs (Fair Haven, N.J.) and Ashley Stec (Cazenovia, N.Y.). All three players committed to Manhattan during the NCAA's early signing period.
"We are so excited to welcome three new outstanding student-athletes to our Manhattan family," Olenowski said. "Besides being extremely talented players, they are all outstanding kids."
A 5-foot-5 point guard, Hall led Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia to the Central League championship and an appearance in the District I semifinals as a junior. Lower Merion also reached the quarterfinals of the Pennsylvania state tournament last season. Hall was a second team all-league selection after the 2008-09 season, when Lower Merion was the Central League runners-up.
"Sheba is an outstanding point guard who is explosive in transition and very crafty with the ball," Olenowski said. "In addition, she is a tenacious defender."
Isaacs is a 5-foot-7 guard at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. A tough defender, she helped Rumson-Fair Haven win the Central Jersey championship in 2008-09 and post a 21-7 record last season. Four members of her high school squad signed with Division I teams, including her twin sister Stephanie, who committed to Fairleigh Dickinson. At the club level, Isaacs played for the New Jersey ShoreShots.
"Nicole is a great all-around basketball player," Olenowski said. "She is a dynamic outside shooter who has a fine handle and sees the court well. Nicole is also fundamentally sound defensively."
Stec, a 6-foot-1 forward, was named Cazenovia High School's Most Valuable Player in 2009-10 after earning Most Improved Player honors as a sophomore. She was also named First Team All-Liberty Conference last season. In 2008-09, Stec was selected second team all-conference after helping Cazenovia win the Section III Class B championship. Her sister, Heather, played four years at MAAC rival Siena and is currently playing professionally in Europe.
"Ashley is a great athlete who can play multiple positions," Olenowski said. "She has fine three-point shooting range and is a sound inside player. Ashley is a top-notch rebounder and defender as well."
They join a roster that will only lose two players to graduation next season. Manhattan opens the 2010-11 campaign with a matchup at St. Francis (NY) tonight.
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