Manhattan Inks Two During Early Signing Period

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Manhattan College women's basketball team has signed two players to National Letters of Intent during the NCAA's Early Signing Period, Head Coach John Olenowski announced today.  Local products Sheridan Heine (Corning, N.Y.) and Nyasha Irizarry (Brooklyn, N.Y.) will join the Jaspers as freshmen for the 2014-15 season.

“We are so pleased to welcome two exceptional student-athletes into the Jasper family,” Olenowski said.  “We feel they both can have outstanding impact on our program right away.”

Heine is a 5-foot-9 guard who comes to Manhattan from Notre Dame High School in Elmira, N.Y.  She was a fifth team all-state selection after averaging 13.3 points per game last season.  Heine also earned first team all-league honors in 2012-13 after being named second team all-league as a sophomore.  That season, she helped the Crusaders win the Section IV Class C title and advance to the quarterfinals of the state tournament.  Heine also played soccer, breaking the school record for shutouts and twice earning all-region honors as a goalkeeper.

“Sheridan is a tremendous athlete who excels in all facets of the game,” Olenowski said.  “She can score, defend, and is a great rebounder.  Sheridan also has tremendous versatility and can play multiple positions.”

A 5-foot-10 guard, Irizarry attends Archbishop Molloy High School.  A pure shooter who will fit well into the Jaspers' system, she is a two-year starter for the Stanners, who won their first CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens regular season title last season.  Irizarry played her club ball for Head Coach Tom Catalanotto, the father of Manhattan assistant Christine Sikiric, with the Gauchos/NYC Bulldogs.

“Nyasha is a great athlete who has the ability to be a big-time scorer for us,” Olenowski said.  “She is also a top-notch penetrator and passer, and she can play multiple positions.”