Women's Basketball Mounties Announce 2014 Recruiting Class
Coach Matt Gamblin is pleased to make official the announcement of the women's basketball Mounties 2014/2015 recruiting class. The class includes 9 players from the Maritimes and 1 player from Calais, Maine. This group of ten rookies includes, 5 provincial champions and 1 state champion from this past season, as well as 4 Canada Games Team Members, and a great deal of provincial basketball experience.
"I am very pleased with the championship pedigree we have added with our recruiting class this year," Coach Gamblin said. "We are bringing in well-coached players from very established programs who are used to winning. Every one of these recruits comes to MTA with very high academic standing and will be great student-athlete representatives for years to come…..the future is very bright."
Sarah McGeachy is a point guard from Fredericton, NB, who played for the Fredericton High School Black Kats, under coach Kevin Daley. She is a FHS Scholar Award winner and Varsity MVP. Sarah played PG and was a captain for the NB Canada Games team in 2013 in Sherbrooke, Quebec. "Sarah is a student-athlete of the highest calibre, and will be a great addition to the Mounties; her great vision, basketball-IQ and leadership on the floor will be a huge asset for us from day-1. Sarah is a pure point guard who plays the right way and takes and makes big shots." Gamblin said.
"I am very excited about what this next year will bring, and I know that Mount Allison will be a great fit for me both athletically, and academically. I am looking forward to continuing my academic and basketball career as a Mountie." Sarah said.
Sara Ripley is a forward, also from Fredericton who played for Leo Hayes High School. Sara also played for the NB Canada Games Team in Sherbrooke. "Sara's work-ethic, and blue-chip approach to the game is well known throughout NB High School Basketball. Her rebounding, defense and all-out hustle will translate great in our league and with our brand of basketball at MTA, we are very excited to have Sara joining the Mounties." Coach Gamblin said.
"After 4 years of high school basketball I'm really looking forward to taking my game to the next level. I am very excited to play for Mount A. with some girls that I have played with before and with others I have yet to meet." Sarah commented.
Erin Steeves is a forward from Moncton, NB, who played for the provincial champion McNaughton Highlanders, an NBIAA two-time all-star and on the high honours list at BMHS. Erin joined Sarah and Sara on the NB Canada Games Team in Sherbrooke in 2013. "Erin is a great athlete and a well-rounded player. She will be able to play multiple positions and will fit in with our up-tempo style of play perfectly. Erin can shoot it from range and also go strong with both hands, we expect Erin to step in and make an impact right away for the Mounties," said Coach Gamblin.
"I chose Mount Allison because I feel it is a perfect fit for me both academically and as a basketball player. There are many new recruits entering the program, which is why I am especially looking forward to growing with this team. I'm very excited to become a part of the Mountie Family!" Erin said.
Local basketball standouts Lauren and Ashley MacEachern will be joining the Mounties from the 3-time provincial champion Amherst Vikettes. Lauren was a member of the NS Canada Games Team, and twin-sister Ashley has long been a versatile, standout player in high school and club basketball in Nova Scotia. "Lauren and Ashley while being identical twins bring a variety of different skills to the Mounties. Lauren has long been known province-wide as a great shooter, but also gets to the basket well and she has a very strong basketball-IQ. Lauren's provincial team and championship experience will serve her well over her university career. Ashley can play multiple positions and rebounds the ball very well wherever she finds herself on the floor. Ashley can do a little bit of everything offensively but really stands out on the defensive side of the ball. Having coached previously at Amherst High, I know the girls well and expect great things from them as they move to the next level," Gamblin said.
"I am very excited to see what the future holds at Mount Allison over these next few years, and I can't think of a better way to begin the next chapter of my journey then to represent the Mounties through the sport I have loved my whole life." Lauren said.
"With my high school career coming to an end I have a lot of mixed emotions, but I am confident in the fact that Mount Allison University was the right choice for me and will give me what I need academically and athletically. I look forward to what the future will hold and I can't wait to truly be a part of the Mountie Family." Ashley said.
Jillian Edwards comes from the powerhouse program Citadel High Phoenix out of Halifax, NS. Over her three years the team went 100-0 and won 3 provincial championships. Jill was selected this year as Citadel's scholastic female athlete of the year. "Jill is a competitor, through and through. She really gets after it on both ends of the floor and will thrive in an up-tempo, full court pressing environment. Jill is a niece of the late Dyrick McDermott (former coach of both Kings and MSVU Women's Basketball teams) and having known Dyrick well, Jill is definitely a reflection of his toughness and passion for the game of basketball," said Coach Gamblin.
"I am very excited at the opportunity to continue my basketball career and pursue my academic studies at one of Canada's elite undergraduate universities at MTA. I look forward to working with Coach Gamblin and my teammates in contributing to a winning culture at MTA." Edwards said.
Becky Miller also hails from the Citadel Phoenix of Halifax, NS. Becky is very well known for her work-ethic and passion for the game. "We are very happy to have Becky joining the Mounties. Becky can really shoot the ball and will stretch the floor offensively. Becky will be able to play and guard multiple positions, and will bring her contagiously positive attitude to the team this upcoming season," said Gamblin.
"I am very excited to bring a winning tradition and attitude to the Mounties. I can't wait to become a Mountie!" Becky said.
Sydnee Balser comes from the local Springhill Golden Eagles of Springhill, NS. "Sydnee is as pure a scorer as there was at the high school level this past season. Sydnee's speed and finishing ability on the break are unique, and will be fun to watch for Mounties fans over her career at MTA. She can shoot it, use both hands and moves very well off the ball. We are very excited about the skill-set that Sydnee brings the Mounties," Coach Gamblin said.
"I'm looking forward to joining the Mounties with new teammates and coaches, it will be a great growing experience for me both as a basketball player and as a person. I'm also very excited to be attending Mount A to help better my knowledge as I pursue my future career as a social worker."
Katie Cundiff joins the Mounties from Calais, Maine. Katie's high school team won the Class C State Championship this past season. She was an all-conference selection as well a member of the all-academic team. "Katie comes to us from a great program, in a small but basketball-crazy town. I was able to watch the team's playoff run via webcast and was very impressed with Katie's athleticism and intangibles. Katie's rebounding and finishing ability will translate well at this level, and as is the theme with this class, Katie will thrive in a fast-paced brand of basketball," said Coach Gamblin.
"After four very successful seasons of basketball at Calais High School, winning two Class C Eastern Maine Championships and one Class C Maine State Championship, I am looking forward to continue to play at Mount A. It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to further my basketball career beyond the high school level. I am very anxious to become part of the Mountie Family." Cundiff said.
Thank you for taking the time to meet the newest Mounties and we all hope you will come out and support the team in the upcoming season!
Coach's Note Added July 15th, 2014
"We also want to recognize and honour another member of our recruiting class this year, Danielle Park from Grand Manan, who was to attend MtA as part of our Mounties basketball program but who lost her life on July 13th in a tragic motor vehicle accident. Danielle was a wonderful young woman with tremendous potential, both as a basketball player and as a student. We were really proud to have her join our program and we are deeply saddened by this news. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Mounties family are with Danielle's family and friends."
Matt Gamblin
Head Coach
Mounties Women's Basketball