Nov. 26, 2012
With the early signing period now in the rearview mirror, Fordham Women's Basketball Head Coach Stephanie Gaitley has announced the commitment of three student athletes to National Letters of Intent to join the Rams for the 2013-2014 season. Hannah Missry (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial), Danielle Burns (Gainesville, Va./Stonewall Jackson) and Danielle Padovano (Dayton, N.J./South Brunswick)will suit up for the Rams beginning next fall.
"We are very excited about the three student athletes we have signed early," said Gaitley. "They are terrific young ladies who are committed as both students and basketball players. They chose Fordham over other prestigious universities for our academic reputation and our commitment to building a winning women's basketball program. We have met all their families and we feel very fortunate to welcome them to our Fordham family."
Hannah Missry will come to Rose Hill following an outstanding career at Jackson Memorial, where her presence as a shooting threat has propelled her to the top of the state record books.
"Hannah will be one of the best shooters in New Jersey this year," said Gaitley. "She can really extend the defense. Hannah has an outstanding work ethic both on and off the court. She will be a terrific addition to our back court."
A member of the varsity squad at Jackson since her freshman year, Missry led the Shore Conference and the state in three-point field goals (70) during her first high school campaign. After being named First Team All-Division and Second Team All-County as a sophomore, Missry led the Shore Conference and the state again in three-point field goals (113) as a junior last season. In addition to lighting it up from beyond the arc, Missry again garnered First Team All-Division honors as a junior, adding on First Team All-County and Newark Star-Ledger Second Team All-State honors in her third campaign en route to a Group IV State Championship. She also became the first player in school history to reach the 1,000 point plateau during her junior year.
During her three high school seasons so far, Missry's teams have compiled a 72-17 mark, a perfect 34-0 in the division, and have ranked in the Top 20 in New Jersey each year. As impressive in the classroom as she is on the court, Missry is a member of the school's High Honor Roll and ranks in the top seven percent of her class.
Playing for the New Jersey Demons, Missry helped lead the team to two AAU state championships and an Elite Eight performance in the Platinum Divison of the US Junior Nationals in 2011 and 2012.
Danielle Burns will take the floor for the Rams after completing her senior year at Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas, Va.
"Danielle will create matchup problems for our opponents," said Gaitley of the 5'9" swing player. "She can play both the guard and the forward position. We are excited about the `toughness' she will bring to our roster. "
A member of the Cedar Run District First Team during her sophomore and junior campaigns, Burns anchored a team that finished as the State Championship Runner-Up in 2011 and took home undefeated District Champion trophies the past two seasons.
An AAU standout with the Premier Sports Performance Academy, Burns' squad took home first place at the Deep South Classic in Raleigh this past April. Burns developed a key connnection to Fordham while playing for P.S.P.A., as her coach, Jason Harris, is one of the greatest players in Fordham Men's Basketball history. Harris scored over 1,200 points during his career at Rose Hill, good enough for 19th on Fordham's all-time scoring list, and ranks atop the Fordham record books in both three pointers made and three pointers attempted.
In addition to her athletic prowess, Burns also excels in the classroom as a member of the National Honor Society.
Her father, Keith Burns, played in the NFL for 13 years, 11 of them with the Denver Broncos, and currently serves as an assistant special teams coach with the team.
Rounding out the early signing class for the 2013-2014 season, Danielle Padovano will come to Fordham after completing a stellar athletic career at South Brunswick High School in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey.
"Danielle will be one of the elite players in New Jersey, said Gaitley. "Her versatility will allow us to play her at a number of positions. We look for Danielle to contribute immediately in the front court."
A four-year varsity starter for the Vikings, Padovano earned All-Conference honors in each of her first three seasons. She then garnered All-State accolades last year after averaging 12 points and 18 rebounds per contest on the way to South Brunswick's first county championship in 36 years, an effort for which she earned Championship Game MVP honors.
While her presence on the hardwood proves quite impressive, perhaps Padovano's greatest display of the versatility Coach Gaitley speaks of comes in the form of her other athletic endeavors. An All-County Track and Field star, Padovano finished 12th in the state in both the discus and shot put as a junior at the NJ Meet of Champions. In addition to her prominence as a field athlete, Padovano also garnered All-County and Team MVP honors as a captain and three year varsity player on the Vikings volleyball squad.
A member of the Central Jersey Cardinals Elite AAU Team, Padovano helped lead the Cardinals to two second place finishes nationally in the Boo Williams Nike Tournament.
An outstanding student, Padovano is a member of the National Honor Society, a four-year member of the High Honor Roll and earned Greater Middlesex County Conference All Academic Honors throughout her career at South Brunswick.
