Moon Township, Pa.—The
Robert Morris University women's basketball team received commitments from four top high school stars during the early-signing period.
"Associate head coach
Charlie Buscaglia (Coach B), myself and staff are so excited about this recruiting class," said 11
th year RMU head coach
Sal Buscaglia. "They are all outstanding young people and high-level players. They will fit very well with our team both on and off the court."
All four are frontcourt players, two hailing from New Jersey and two from Canada.
Johnnah Johnson (Blackwood, N.J. / The Hun School) is from attends the Hun School, the same institution as current RMU sophomore and 2013 NEC Rookie of the Year
Ashley Ravelli (Milano, Italy / The Hun School).
Jocelynne Jones (Sickerville, N.J. / Winslow Township) is a 6'0" small forward. At 6'3",
Mikalah Mulrain (Brampton, Ontario / Ascension) will fill a spot at center while
Megan Smith (Barrie, Ontario / Eastview) is a 6'1" forward.
"Last year's all freshmen recruiting class, of which three are currently starters for us, will combine with these four freshmen and an excellent core of returners to form what we feel to be an excellent team for years to come," said Buscaglia. "All four signees were highly recruited by mid-major and high-level DI programs. Although the recruiting was competitive, Coach B – as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator – and assistant coach
Chenel Harris did an outstanding job."
Smith has proven that she can lead a team to championships, winning two national championships with the Ontario Provincial Team in 2011 and 2012. She also guided Eastview Secondary School to four Georgian Bay Secondary School Association Championships, leading the team in scoring each of those four seasons. Smith plays for the Barrie Royal JUEL Team and the Canada Drive AAU Team and earned a spot on the St. Mary's All-Tournament Team.
"Smith is very versatile and can go inside and out with three-point range. She is a fierce competitor," said Buscaglia. "One thing I noticed about her was her passion for the game and a willingness to never take a possession off. Her future is bright."
Mulrain, like Smith, has been a key part of several Ontario teams that have won national championships. The 6'3" center was a member of championship teams in 2011, 2012 and 2013, earning a second-team all-star nod in 2011. Mulrain has led Ascension Secondary School in scoring and rebounding over the last four years.
"Mikalah Mulrain is a very strong inside player who will bring toughness and rebounding to our team. She plays extremely hard at both ends of the court. Mikalah has the potential to be a real force as she develops her Division I game," said Buscaglia.
Jones is a 6'0" small forward who nearly averages a double-double for Winslow Township High School. She is scoring 15.6 points per game to go with 9.3 rebounds. Jones fills out the stat sheet by adding 2.7 blocks and 3.4 steals per game. Jones was named first team all-conference as both a sophomore and a junior.
"Jocelynne Jones is extremely athletic and runs the floor very well," said Buscaglia. "She can take it to the basket or pull up on the fast break. We also see her using her athleticism to be a great defender in the quarter-court and full court."
Johnson was named to the New Jersey All-State Prep and Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) first teams as a junior. She was a second team pick for both of those squads in her freshman and sophomore seasons. Johnson received a scouts grade of 85 and was ranked as the 69
th best forward in her recruiting class by
ESPN HoopGurlz. She averaged 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.2 assists as a junior while accumulating 900 points and 650 rebounds in three seasons.
"Johnnah Johnson was rated very high and attracted a lot of recruiting attention, deservedly so," said Buscaglia. "Like all of our freshmen, we have high expectations for Johnnah and are confident she will make an immediate impact. She will have a major presence around the basket."
Robert Morris has made five national tournament appearances since 2007 and has advanced to the Northeast Conference Tournament semifinals in eight of the last 10 seasons. The Colonials have won two consecutive games highlighted by a 19-point win over Conference USA-member Marshall.
