Three Recruits From the 2011 Class Sign with Women's Basketball
11/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ORONO, Maine - Three high school players signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) to attend the University of Maine next season. The three players are forward Rebecca Knight, guard Kelsey Mattice and forward Danielle Walczak. Knight and Walczak are AAU teammates on the New England Crusaders.
"The 2011 class is going to fill multiple needs for us and is one of our most talented. They are a hard-working group, and they all love the game," said head coach Cindy Blodgett.
Knight is a 5-11 guard from Portland, Maine. She was a second team All-Maine Schoolgirl selection by the Bangor Daily News and an All-State selection by the Portland Press Herald last season after leading McAuley to the Western Maine Class A Semifinals. Knight averaged 10.4 points per game and pulled down 7.4 rebounds per contest. She will be coached by former Black Bears star Amy Vachon this season.
"I feel very comfortable knowing that we got the top Maine player in this year's class. She is a combo guard lefty shooter and will play both the one and two for us," said Blodgett.
Mattice is a 5-5 guard from Cicero, N.Y. where she plays for Cicero-North Syracuse High School. She helped lead her team to a 21-3 record and a spot in the Class AA State Quaterfinals. Last season she averaged 10 points and six assists a contest. She is a teammate of Breanna Stewart, the top-ranked player in 2012 by ESPN, but is a highly regarded player in her own right. Mattice was a first-team All League pick and a third team All-Central New York selection a year ago.
"Mattice is a great shooter and understands the game. She is going to be able to run our team very well. She is a feisty player on defense and may end up being the surprise of this class," said Blodgett.
Walczak is a 6-1 forward from Durham, N.H. where she plays for Oyster River High School. She is rated as the top player in the state of New Hampshire by New Hampshire Notebook. Walczak was named the Class I Player of the Year last season. She also helped lead her team to a state title her sophomore season.
"Danielle is a big strong left-handed post player. She is probably one of the hardest working players we have ever recruited. She has a great work ethic and will only continue to get better," stated Blodgett.
Maine opens the regular season Saturday at home against Harvard. Tip off is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Alfond Arena.
