University of Albany Women's Basketball Receives Two Additional Student-Athlete Commitments For 2009-10

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany head women’s basketball coach Trina Patterson announced on Tuesday, May 26 that two student-athletes have signed a national letter of intent to play for the program in the 2009-10 academic year. Cassandra Callaway (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne/Daytona State College) and Ebone Henry (San Diego, Calif./Mater Dei Catholic H.S.) each made their commitment.

Callaway, a 5-foot-8 point guard, led Daytona State College in Florida to a 20-9 record this past winter and will have three years of eligibility remaining. She was named to the All-Mid-Florida Conference first team after netting 12.2 points per game. As a senior at Bayonne High School, she was named the Hudson County Player of the Year by the Star-Ledger as well as the all-county first team after helping her squad post a 19-7 record. As the team’s floor general, Callaway averaged 20.9 points, 2.1 assists, 2.5 steals and 3.1 rebounds. She also shot 42 percent from the field, 43 percent from beyond the arc and 89.7 percent at the charity stripe.

“We are expecting Cassandra to make an immediate impact,” Patterson said. “She is a high-energy player who has a high basketball IQ, plays with poise, and can finish well at the rim with her right and left.”

Henry, a 5-foot-10 guard, led Mater Dei Catholic High School to a 30-3 record and the 2009 CIF Division IV state championship, canning the game-winning free throws in the title game. She has averaged a double-double in each of the past two seasons, earning all-conference first-team honors while leading the Crusaders to the league title each time. As a junior, she was named the South Bay League Player of the Year after averaging 14.9 points and 10.0 rebounds. She recorded 14.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 3.4 assists as a senior.

“Ebone is a proven winner,” Patterson offered. “She will bring fundamental skills, physical ability and a competitive spirit to our program."

Jasmine Blakemore, a 6-foot-2 forward from Houston, Texas (Bush H.S.), Terika Lunsford, a 5-foot-11 guard from Lakeland, Fla. (Suffolk H.S.) and Keyana Williams, a 6-foot-1 forward from Kingston, N.Y. (Kingston H.S.) previously signed during the November period. Highlighted by Williams, tabbed the No. 260 recruit in the country, the five-member class was ranked first in the America East Conference and 116th nationally by All-Star Girls Report. Williams was also first in the country among America East recruits.

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University at Albany Women’s Basketball Signings

Name, Pos., Cl., Ht., Hometown (High School/Previous School)

Jasmine Blakemore, F, 6-2, Houston, Texas (Bush)

Cassandra Callaway, G, 5-8, Bayonne, N.J. (Bayonne/Daytona State)

Ebone Henry, G, 5-10, San Diego, Calif. (Mater Dei Catholic)

Terika Lunsford, G, 5-11, Lakeland, Fla. (Suffolk)

Keyana Williams, F, 6-1, Kingston, N.Y. (Kingston)