March 27, 2008

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist women's basketball team has announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to attend Marist in the fall of 2008. Kristine Best (Commack, N.Y.), Corielle Yarde (Leesport, Pa.), Emily Stallings (Goshen, N.Y.) and Brandy Gang (Akron, Ohio) will join the Red Foxes for the 2008-09 season.

The recruiting class is ranked 50th in the country by the Blue Star Report.

"This is the first time we've ever had a class ranked in a prominent national recruiting service," Head Coach Brian Giorgis said. "We believe all four young women will help our team right away."

Kristine Best - 5'4'' - Point guard - St. Anthony H.S. - Commack, N.Y.

Best was named the 2007-08 Co-Long Island CHSA Player of the Year, averaging 15 points, six assists, four steals and four rebounds per game. She was also a 1,000-point scorer in high school, and was ranked 120th in the country by the Blue Start Report.

Giorgis on Best: "Kristine is a true point guard out of the same mold as Nikki Flores. She's an excellent ball handler who sees the floor very well and will be an outstanding perimeter shooter for us."

Corielle Yarde - 5'8'' - Guard - Schuylhill Valley High School - Leesport, Pa.

Yarde was an outstanding scorer in high school, averaging 26 points to go along 12 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game. She was a career 2,000-point scorer, and as a senior she was her conference's player of the year. Last season, Yarde was named Second Team All-State.

Giorgis on Yarde: "She is a true scorer who is able to score in a lot of different ways. She can shoot the three and can drive, and is a fantastic shot blocker.

Emily Stallings - 6'0'' - Forward - Burke Catholic High School - Goshen, N.Y.

Stallings averaged 19 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks per game. She is a 1,000-point scorer and was named Second Team All-State as a junior.

Giorgis on Stallings: "She is a solid 4/5 player who is very strong inside. She can shoot from the perimeter and is an outstanding passer."

Brandy Gang - 6'2'' - Forward - Lake High School - Akron, Ohio

Gang is a 1,000-point scorer who averaged 16 points and six rebounds. She also holds the school record with 91 blocked shots.

Giorgis on Gang: "She can play anywhere on the front line. She's an athletic player who can put it on the floor and take it to the basket as well as shoot the three."

The Marist women's basketball team finished the 2007-08 season with a record of 32-3, setting a program record for victories in a season. The Red Foxes are ranked 22nd in the Associated Press poll and ESPN/USA Today Women's Basketball poll.