Bronx, N.Y. – (November 12, 2014) – Fordham women's basketball coach Stephanie V. Gaitley announced the signing of three student-athletes to national letters of intent today, as guard
Alexia Douglas (Bay Shore, N.Y./Brentwood), guard
Lauren Holden (Cape May, N.J./Lower Cape May Regional), and forward
Alex Parlato (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh) will suit up for the Rams next season.
"We are excited about the talent level of our 2015 class. Lauren was the second leading scorer in the state of New Jersey, while Alex and Alexia were named by one scouting service as two of the top 15 players in the state of New York. They are talented, tough and winners both on and off the court. We are excited by what they bring to the Fordham family," said Gaitley.
Alexia Douglas (courtesy of Douglas family) Douglas, a 5-7 guard, was ranked sixth in New York State by NYG Hoops Report, as she enters her senior season at Brentwood High School. A two-sport star in basketball and track, she blossomed as a junior in both sports.
In basketball, she averaged a school record 23 points per game, to go with eight rebounds, five assists, and just under three steals a contest. She also developed her outside shot, hitting 52 three-pointers. A three-year basketball captain, she is a two-time All-Suffolk County and All-League selection, and joined fellow recruit Alex Parlato in the Metro Classic All-Star game, representing Long Island, and the Rose Classic All-Star team. Douglas helped guide Brentwood to their first league championship in 19 seasons, and set a school record with 33 points in a playoff game during that run.
On the track, Douglas is a superb sprinter, winning the New York State Championship for public schools in the 100 meter dash as a sophomore, while being a part of four school records, including the 100 and 200 meter dash and the 4x100 and 4x400 relay events. In her junior year, she was the Divisional Champion in the 100 and 200 meter dash and earned All-County accolades in both events for the third time.
The 2011-12 Brentwood Athlete of the Year, Douglas is a four-year member of the honor roll and the All-Academic Team, while being a three-year member of the National Honor Society. In addition to her play at Brentwood, she finished her AAU career for the nationally recognized Exodus Elite under Coach Thomas Davis, which played in the prestigious Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.
Gaitley on Douglas: "Alexia is an incredible athlete who is extremely explosive. She has the ability to be a tremendous defender as well as a versatile offensive threat. She is a superior track athlete and will give our backcourt great speed and depth." 
Lauren Holden (courtesy of Holden family)Holden, a 5-5 guard, is a prolific scorer in New Jersey, where she ranked second in the state last season, averaging 28.8 points per game for Lower Cape May Regional. She has already set the school scoring records for both boys and girls as a junior with 1,690 career points, while registering school records for most three-point field goals in a game with 11 and most points in a game with 43. The previous single game record was held by her father, Joe Holden, who later became her AAU coach with the AC Wildcats. She also proved to be a good distributor of the ball, averaging 4.7 assists per game for the Tigers.
A team captain for the squad, Holden received Second Team All-State Group 2 honors, All-South Jersey Group 2, and First Team All-Atlantic City Press for her efforts last season. She is also a three-time First Team All-Cape Athletic League selection and a First Team All-Gazette Leader pick. A member of the National Honors Society, Holden ranks fourth in her class academically.
Gaitley on Holden: "I have known Lauren for a number of years. She plays in the same league I did in high school. She sold me on her defensive skills. She is a tenacious defender with solid offensive skills. She is a winner! Lauren is a true student of the game as her grandfather, father, and uncle have all coached at her high school. She will add great depth to our guard rotation. "
Alex Parlato (courtesy of Parlato family) Parlato, a 6-3 forward, was listed in the top 15 players in New York State by NYG Hoops Report, as she enters her senior season at Wantagh High School. She was a double-double machine as a junior, averaging 15 points and 16 rebounds, to go along with four assists and five blocks per game for the Warriors. She earned All-State, All-County, and Regional All-Star honors, and was named the Conference Player of the Year for the 2013-14 season. In just three years, Parlato has already become Wantagh's all-time rebounding leader.
Last year, she appeared in the Metro Classic as a Long Island All-Star, and in the Long Island All-Star Game, representing Nassau County. Parlato also was named a Rose Classic All-Star and the Junior Rose Classic Defensive Player of the Tournament. In the classroom, she has been on the merit honor roll throughout high school and writes for the school newspaper. In addition to her play at Wantagh, she played AAU for the Basketball Results under Coach Ted Oberg.
Gaitley on Parlato: "Alex offers many skills at the post position. She is a left-handed post, who has a good touch and solid passing skills. She is a true team player and has guided her Wantagh High School team to a championship while being named Player of the Year in her league. We look forward to her carrying this success over to Fordham."
