Nov. 18, 2003
Contact: Amanda Brickell
HAMILTON, N.Y. ‘ 51·çÁ÷ women’s head basketball coach, Beth Combs, recently announced the signing of the program’s first three scholarship athletes. Melanie Cargle (Trotwood, Ohio/Archbishop Altar), Shevorne Martin (Brooklyn, N.Y./Poly Prep), and Caitlin Gillard (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal H.S.) all signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball for the Raiders.
‘We are very pleased with our first scholarship class. These three young women are extremely bright in the classroom and very talented on the court,’ said Combs. ‘Mel and Shevorne bring to our program the ability to handle the ball and lead their teams. Mel has great vision and a knack for the right pass, while Shev lets her defensive pressure spark her transition. They both come from very strong high school and AAU programs and know the game. Cait has been in our sights for a long time. She brings a true knowledge of the game and the ability to create her own shot. She can run the floor, hit the three or work the low post with the best of them.’
Cargle, a 5-6 point guard at Archbishop Altar in Kettering, Ohio has been tabbed one of Ohio’s top female players and is a two-time all-Greater Cincinnati League first-team selection. She has also received District 15 all-star honors, third team all-area accolades, and honorable mention all-Southwest District recognition.
Martin, a 5-5 point guard from Brooklyn, N.Y. received first team all-Brooklyn honors and all-city honorable mention after averaging 16 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists for Poly Prep in 2003.
Gillard, a 6-2 forward scored 17.8 points per game as a junior to lead Vestal to a Southern Tier Athletic Conference Metro Division title in 2003. Her team-high 240 rebounds and 73 blocked shots earned her Class A all-state honors.
Coach Combs is excited about the addition of these three fine athletes and has high hopes for the 2004-05 newcomers. ‘We expect this class to make an immediate impact on our program and on 51·çÁ÷,’ said Combs.