Pirates Sign Talented Crop of Newcomers
8/28/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Seton Hall women's basketball team has addressed its needs for rebounding, defense and outside shooting with the signings of incoming freshmen Tine Duelund, Ayanna Phillip and Charlene Thomas. The trio makes up the Pirates' 2000-01 recruiting class and will get a chance to make an impact right away.
"We're thrilled to have such an accomplished group coming into our program," head coach Phyllis Mangina said. "They will improve our team in almost every area."
Also joining Duelund, Phillip and Thomas are two recruits who will be eligible to play in 2001-02. Love Brown, who is not yet academically qualified, and Melissa Langelier, a transfer from the University of Kentucky, will join the Pirates next year but can practice with the team.
Duelund, a 6-0 swing player from Varlose, Denmark, gives the Pirates yet another international recruit, joining current players Arminda Moreno (Canary Islands, Spain), Susan Murray (Ontario, Canada), Leslie Ardon (French West Indies) and Cecilia Lindqvist (Sweden). Duelund was a member of the Danish National Team and will give the Pirates depth at both the shooting guard and small forward positions. She averaged 18 points per game the Varlose Basketball Club, leading the team to the district finals. With the Danish National Team, she won the bronze medal at the 1998 Nordic Cup.
Phillip, a 6-2 forward from Staten Island, NY, brings an impressive resume to the Pirate frontcourt. One of the top forwards in New York City, she enjoyed a stellar four-year career for St. Peter's High School, finishing her career with 1,374 points and 1,027 rebounds. As a senior, she led her team to a 22-6 record, averaging 15.1 points and 10.0 rebounds. In each of her four years, St. Peter's won the Staten Island and Archdiocesan championships. Last year, St. Peter's played in the CHSAA city championship game, losing to Christ the King, but not before Phillip had 10 blocks. She was a three-time Staten Island Advance all-star.
Thomas, a 6-2 forward from Chester, PA, is a tough rebounder and defender who will be a force in the low post. As a senior for Chester High School, Thomas averaged 18 points per game and was named league MVP, All-County, All-Area and Second Team All-State. She led Chester to back-to-back Del-Val League titles and consecutive appearances in the state tournament. She finished her career with over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.
Brown, a 6-3 forward from Norfolk, VA, is an excellent rebounder and leaper. Averaging 18.8 points and 15.7 rebounds as a senior for Booker T. Washington High School, she was named First Team All-District, All-Area, All-Region and District Player of the Year. The team finished with a 19-7 record and won the District Tournament as Brown was named East Player of the Year. She was also a member of the track team, qualifying for the state championship in the high jump.
Langelier, a 5-8 guard from Montreal, Quebec, is a point guard candidate who will sit out a year after transferring from Kentucky. As a freshman for the Wildcats, she saw limited action, appearing in 21 games scoring 18 points. She attended Lucien-Page High School in Montreal, where she started on the boys' team as a senior and averaged seven points, nine assists and three rebounds per game. She was impressive enough to be named to the boys' All-Star First Team. As a junior, she averaged 23 points and seven assists with the girls' team. She also played for the U-20 Quebec National Team and was named Team MVP.
