Women's Basketball Announces 2018 Recruiting Class

Bronx, N.Y. – Head coach Stephanie Gaitley and the Fordham women's basketball program announced on Wednesday afternoon four members of the 2018 recruiting class who today signed their national letters of intent to attend Fordham University beginning next fall: Chloe Chaffin, Kaitlyn Downey, Megan Jonassen, and Catherine Polisano.
 

"I am extremely excited about our 2018 class," said Gaitley, "Chloe and Kaitlyn were recently named as two of the top-20 players in New York, while Cat and Meg both played on the same highly-regarded Comets AAU team. They fill our needs on the court but more importantly are young ladies of great character. This is a special and talented class that I believe will leave their mark on Fordham women's basketball."
 
Chaffin, a 5'10 wing, hails from Kingston, N.Y. where she was a three-sport athlete and four-year member of the Tigers basketball team under head coach Stephen Garner. Chaffin was named a Daily Freeman First Team All Star and BCANY Section 9 All Star after her sophomore and junior campaigns, as well as an All-State honorable mention as a sophomore. Chaffin, a two-time team captain entering her senior season, averaged 13.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.8 steals, 2.3 assists, and 0.8 blocks per game last year. Chaffin plays her club ball with NY Havoc 17U, helping them to the Gym Rat Challenge 16U Gold Bracket Championship, and was named a NEG Top 2018 New York state recruit this year. Away from the court, Chaffin also competed in track & field and field hockey, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
 
Gaitley on Chaffin: "Chloe committed to us as an eighth grader. She is a big guard who reminds me a lot of Danielle Burns ('17). She has the ability to attack the basket and will create matchup problems."
 

 

Downey, a 6'1 forward from Hastings on Hudson, N.Y., plays her high school ball at Maria Regina in Hartsdale under head coach Michael Kiers. Downey, a member of the 1,000-point club during her three seasons thus far with the Tigers, is a two-time MVP and team-captain during her sophomore and junior campaigns. After earning the Coaches Award as a freshman and averaging 14.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per  game as a sophomore, Downey broke out as a junior, averaging 19.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 3.2 steals, and 3.1 assists, and earning several honors and accolades at season's end. Those honors include Class B All-State Third Team, First Team All-Hudson Valley, First Team All-CHSAA, Lohud Girls Second Team, Journal News' Super 7 Honoree, and honorable mention All-Metro. Downey plays her club ball with the Empire State Blue Flames, helping them win a 13U Division 3 National Championship in 2013, as well as championships at the Battle of the Boro 16U in 2016 and 2017 17U Run for the Roses, the latter of which she was also named All-Tournament. Downey also played two seasons on the JV volleyball team and will join the varsity squad this season. She is also extremely active off the court, serving as the study body president this year after being a student council representative as a junior. She is also the activities coordinator for her school's National Honor Society, and is a member of both the Spanish Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society.
 
Gaitley on Downey: "Kaitlyn Downey was a highly recruited forward who has an outstanding IQ. She is an outstanding shooter with a great knowledge of the game. She is President of her class and will impact our program immediately on and off the court."
 

Jonassen, a 6'0 forward from Schwenksville, Pa., has earned four letters and has started all four years at Perkiomen Valley High School in Collegeville, Pa., under head coach John Strawoet. Jonassen, also a member of her school's 1,000-point club, was named honorable mention All-PAC 10 as a freshman, and followed that up with First Team honors the last two years. She was also named All-Southeastern Pennsylvania and All-Conference both years, as well, and helped the Vikings to a District Championship and PAC-10 title as a sophomore, tallying 22 double-doubles on the season. As a junior, she was named Team MVP, and earned MVP honors at the Philadelphia University Tournament, the University Sciences Tournament, and the Philadelphia All City Classic, and finished her season with averages of 15.6 points and 18.0 rebounds per contest, plus 21 double-doubles. At the club level, Jonassen competes with the Comets National AAU squad. Off the court, she is a member of the National Honor Society.
 
Gaitley on Jonassen: "Meg is a small forward who is physical and strong. She will create matchup problems because she can shoot, post, and drive. She caught our eye at our elite camp for those reasons and because she has the ability to make those around her better.

 

Polisano, a 5'9 guard from Ambler, Pa., is a four-year letter winner at Georgetown Academy in Fort Washington, Pa., under head coach Sherri Retif. As a sophomore, Polisano averaged 8.0 points per contest, and was named team captain entering her junior season. However, she unfortunately had to sit out the year with injury. She has also played volleyball with the Patriots and holds the school records for assists and service aces. Polisano is teammates on the Comets with Jonassen and averaged 8.0 points per contest her sophomore year.
 
Gaitley on Polisano: "Cat is just getting back on the court after a torn ACL last year. Cat is another player who caught our eye at our elite camp because she had a great feel for the game and was a natural leader."
 
Fordham begins its 2017-18 campaign by hosting UMBC this Friday, November 10, at 5 p.m.