University of Massachusets Athletics
Women's Basketball Announces Three Early Signings
November 13, 2006 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 13, 2006
AMHERST, Mass. -- Massachusetts women's basketball head coach Marnie Dacko has announced that Stephanie Lawrence (Rigaud, Quebec/John Abbott CGEP), Cerie Mosgrove (Needham, Mass./Needham) and Teya Wright (Paterson, N.J./Rosa Parks/Eastside) have all signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.
"The 2006-07 recruiting class will continue to help us build towards a perennial A-10 title contender," said Dacko. "We addressed several of our key needs for the future. This highly-touted class is the most versatile that I have had both on and off the court. They are well-rounded student-athletes who will help us build good team chemistry and raise the level of overall talent. We are excited to have one local Massachusetts product who will increase our visibility within the state which has always been a goal of mine since my arrival."
Lawrence is currently playing for coach Robert Ferguson at John Abbott CGEP. She is a 6-1 guard/forward and has averaged 15.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 steals, 2.4 blocks and 1.2 assists per game. In addition, she is a 57 percent shooter from the field. Her accolades at John Abbott include team MVP and All-Canada Basketball Weekend East Team member. She was also on the Seneca Sting Classic All-Star team. Lawrence, who recently scored 50 points in one game for John Abbott, ranked eighth in the province in scoring, fifth in rebounds and second in blocked shots last year. She also plays summer ball with the New York City Gauchos.
"Stephanie is a big guard who can really stick it," said Dacko. "Recently, she scored 50 points in a game coming from a variety of ways. She can score inside and outside and will be a real boost for our offense. Stephanie is a tough, hard-nosed player who is not afraid to do the dirty work. She is a winner who wants to take the final shot."
Mosgrove is currently playing for coaches Jackson Foster and Janet Hourihan at Needham (Mass.) High School. A three-year starter for Needham, she eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau last season as a junior, the earliest that a male or female has ever done it in Needham history. Mosgrove averaged 20.4 ppg and 13.0 rpg her junior year, 16.3 ppg and 11.2 rpg as a sophomore and 16.0 ppg and 9.8 rpg as a freshman. A three-time Bay State League First-Team All-Star, she has shot better than 71 percent from the free throw line in each of her three seasons thus far. Mosgrove is also a two-time Boston Herald and one-time Boston Globe All-Scholastic Team member. Last year, she led her conference in scoring and was second on the boards. As a junior, she was also ranked in the top 10 in all of Eastern Massachusetts in scoring by the Boston Globe and was named one of the Top Girl's Hoop Players by High School Sports Magazine. She plays summer ball for the Massachusetts Pumas.
"Cerie is another big guard who really shoots the ball well," said Dacko. "At 6-1, she can post up smaller guards and will give us additional support on the boards. Cerie is a Massachusetts player who has a work ethic that is second to none. She will only continue to improve as she competes at a higher level. Cerie comes from a successful program which we hope will increase our exposure in the Commonwealth "
Wright plays for coach Ed Black at Paterson Eastside (N.J.) High School, but attends school at the Rosa Parks School for the Performing Arts. At Eastside, she has averaged 12.0 ppg and 6.0 rpg while earning All-Passaic County and All-North New Jersey Interscholastic honors. Eastside won the Passaic County championship last year. She also plays summer ball with the New York City Gauchos.
"Teya will play the power forward position," said Dacko. "She is like a current UMass senior Tamara Tatham in terms of what she will bring to the table. Teya runs the floor, rebounds and defends well. She will help us continue to be a defensive force. Offensively, Teya will pose a difficult match-up for the opposing teams with her inside/outside ability."