WESTON, Mass.—Additions to the Regis College Women’s Basketball team are underway. Head coach Julie Plant announced that five recruits would be entering their first-year with the program this coming winter. Sarah Pettinelli, Dana Sparks, Emilee Marro, Janaya Bradley, and Kim Daniels have all committed to coming to Regis College for the 2011-12 season.
Four of Plant’s incoming recruits won championships at the state, district, or conference levels. Pettinelli, Sparks, and Bradley each won conference championships. Daniels, Sparks, and Bradely also won state and district championships. Bradley captained two of the three Hill House teams to win state championships.
Sparks, Plant’s only recruit from outside of New England, was a two-time conference and district champion. She averaged 10.1 points per game, and was named to the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-State Team, and was recognized as a 2011 All-Star Most Valuable Player. Sparks was awarded by University High School as having won the most varsity letters in school history for a female student-athlete in her senior year as well.
“Dana is an extremely hard working player that will adjust to the college level very quickly,” said Plant.
Pettinelli will join the Pride after having spent three of her four years as a member of the varsity basketball team in high school, and having won a conference championship in her senior year. She played four years of Athletic Amateur Union (AAU) basketball, including two years of A-Class basketball for Team Connecticut.
Pettinelli was named a two-time all-star honoree, most valuable player, and three-time all-tournament team announcement. Pettinelli also played softball in high school, and was named a league most valuable player, league all-star, and was a member of the 2008 conference championship team.
Bradley will join Regis College with the most impressive state championship record, having one three consecutive state championships with Hill House High School (Conn.).
“Janaya is a winner,” says Plant. Bradley also led her teams to two conference championships. Academically, Bradley was named to the honor roll all four years of high school while playing basketball, while maintaining a 3.15 grade point average.
Daniels will join Marro as Plant’s second recruit from New Hampshire. Daniels is a two-time state champion, and has been named an all-state second team member, honorable mention, and all-academic team honoree in her junior and senior seasons.
On the court she averaged 11.1 points per game for Conant High School. At the free-throw line Daniels was a consistent 73 percent.
“Kim can flat out shoot the ball,” Plant says of Daniels. And her defense also impressed Coach Plant. “Kim can defend taller guards and smaller post (players) which makes her a very versatile player,” Plant continued.
Plant’s fifth recruit, Marro, scored 488 points over two seasons for Trinity High School (NH), and had amassed 80 steals in the same time period. As a senior, Marro had 98 assists and 148 rebounds.
“Emilee is a pure shooter,” Plant commented. Marro will join a veteran group of Pride members that are skilled shooters also. “Emilee is a lefty player which makes her even more dynamic and versatile,” coach Plant stated.
Marro will be one of few left-handed players on the team next season.
Regis College finished the 2010-11 season with a 16-12 overall record and was10-4 in The Commonwealth Coast Conference. Plant has led the Pride to four consecutive TCCC postseason appearances, including a 2009-10 championship appearance.
Regis College has been invited to play in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament during the same time period.