UNO Spring Signing Central
NEW ORLEANS – The University of New Orleans women's basketball program announced the addition of three student-athletes on Monday.
Junior college standout Ciara Morgan joins the high school pair of Mathilde Fogelstrom and Krysytna Ries in signing national letters of intent in the last several days. The additions grow the recruiting class of UNO head women's basketball coach Keeshawn Carter to six players.
A 5-10 guard, Morgan was recently named a Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College All-State selection in addition to all-Region honors. Morgan concluded two years at Coahoma Community College by playing in the state's junior college All-Star Game.
“There are many adjectives that come to mind when I think about Ciara,” said Carter. “However, being a humble team player sticks out the most.”
“She has received many awards for the work she has done on the hardwood but she does not mind letting anyone know that basketball is a team sport. She immediately adds depth to our backcourt with her scoring and passing abilities. I am truly ecstatic about having her join our family.”
Morgan prepped at Lanphier High School in Springfield, Ill. At the school, she scored 1,644 career points during a four-year career, ranking as the third leading scorer in school history. Morgan averaged 20 points, 8.2 rebounds, five assists and 1.4 steals during a senior campaign, earning fourth-team All-State honors in addition to All-Conference recognition.
“I'm very proud of Ciara and all she has accomplished,” said Lanphier HS head coach Doug Collins. “As she moves on to the University of New Orleans, I am sure her love for the game will never fade and she will continue to work towards her goal of continuing her education and obtaining her degree as well as helping other youth accomplish their dreams.”
Ries comes to the Lakefront by way of Piedmont Hills High School in San Jose, Calif.
Under head coach Tyrone Monroe, the 6-3 post helped the school to the second round of the state playoffs. Ries is viewed as a defensive player by her new head coach, who compares her two of the great Lady Privateer shot blockers.
“It is my pleasure to welcome Krystyna to the Lady Privateer family,” said Carter. “On the court, she has a defensive presence that cannot go unnoticed and she is improving daily on the offensive end.”
“I imagine that before her career is over she will be mentioned with the likes of Joevone Markey and Andrea Williams.”
The Denmark product – Fogelstrom – rounds out the group. A member of the Danish youth national team, Fogelstrom has appeared in four European championship events for her native country including an average of nine points per game at the 2011 U18 European event.
“I have had the pleasure of coaching Mathilde during four years in the Danish National Team Programme and we have performed in strong European competition at the European Championship every year during the four years,” said Denmark U18 women's national team head coach Anja Anderson. “Mathilde has exhibited a very strong work ethic and has been working seriously on her game over the years so she has developed a great deal since the first time I first met her 4 years ago.”
“Mathilde is a strong rebounder and a tall athletic player who can play convincingly with her back to the basket as well as a face basket as she has a very solid mid-range shot. She also has an excellent perception of the floor so she can hit open shooters.”
The 6-1 forward/center is the second Danish player to sign alongside Melissa Jensen and joins Hungarian national
Mirjam Sipos in giving the UNO roster three players from Europe.
“I could not be more thrilled about signing Mathilde,” said Carter. “Mathilde is the file' to our gumbo.”
“Anyone who knows about file' in gumbo, knows that file' adds a distinctive taste to the gumbo. The addition of Mathilde to our roster gives us the ability to have a solid rotation in the post position. Her ability to pass and run the floor like a guard, along with being able to bang on the inside makes Mathilde unique. I am glad that she is headed to America, to the Big Easy, but more specifically to UNO!”
Fogelstorm also looks forward to the opportunity of joining the Lady Privateer family.
“I am convinced that UNO is the place for me,” said Fogelstrom. “I have never visited, so a satellite decision was made and all credit goes to Coach Carter.
“She made me feel at home throughout the whole recruiting process and I am so pleased. I am very excited to be a student-athlete at UNO.”
Morgan will have two years of eligibility while Fogelstrom and Ries will have all four seasons of eligibility beginning this fall. All three are expected to be on the floor starting on Nov. 9 when the Lady Privateers join their male counterparts in hosting a UNO hoops doubleheader at Lakefront Arena.
Women's Basketball Signing Class (as of May 21, 2012)
Tynes Bradshaw, F, 6-0, Miami, Fla. (Miami HS/Miami Dade CC)
Amber Clay, F, 6-1, Blytheville, Ark. (Blytheville HS/Holmes CC)
Mathilde Fogelstrom, F/C, 6-1, Cophenhagen, Denmark (Kent HS/Orestad Gymnasium)
Melissa Jensen, F, 6-1, Aarhus, Denmark (Marselisborg Gymnasium/Lees McRae College/Cypress College)
Ciara Morgan, G, 5-10, Springfield, Ill. (Lanphier HS/Coahoma CC)
Krystyna Ries, P, 6-3, San Jose, Calif. (Piedmont Hills HS)
MEET THE LATEST LADY PRIVATEERS
Mathilde Fogelstrom, F/C, 6-1, Cophenhagen, Denmark (Kent HS/Orestad Gymnasium)
Born Mathilde Moller Fogelstrom on Jan. 19, 1993... Played on the Denmark U18 national team, averaging nine points and 5.5 rebounds per game at the 2011 European Championships... Scored 14 points against Finland while grabbing 11 rebounds in a contest against Luxemborg... Also added double-figure point production in contests against Greece, Israel, Latvia and Bulgaria... Also played on the U18 team at the 2010 European Championships, averaging 6.1 points and 4.4 rebounds... Competed at the U16 European Championships in 2008 and 2009... Played high school basketball at Orestad Gymnasium with a one-year stop at Kent High School in Connecticut... Parents, Gritt and Ole Moller Fogelstrom... Sister, Kathrine Moller Fogelstrom.
Ciara Morgan, G, 5-10, Springfield, Ill. (Lanphier HS/Coahoma CC)
Born Ciara Chante Morgan on May 18, 1992... Attended Coahoma CC in Mississippi... Following sophomore season, named Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College (MACJC) All-State selection in addition to all-Region honors...Morgan concluded two years at Coahoma Community College by playing in the state's junior college All-Star Game...Was a four-year varsity starter at Lanphier High School in Springfield, Ill. under the direction of Doug Collins... Averaged 20 points, 8.2 rebounds, five assists and 1.4 steals per game during senior season... Finished four years with 1,644 career points, good for third in school history... During senior campaign, earned CS8 All-Conference Team and was a member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-State fourth team... Participated in the IBCA All-State Game and the Illinois Basketball Scouting Service All-Star Game... As a junior, earned CS8 All-Conference team honors and was named All-State honorable mention... During sophomore season, named All-Conference honorable mention selection... Mother, Chante Sumner... Siblings, Noreal and Tierra Allen... Education major.
Krystyna Ries, P, 6-3, San Jose, Calif. (Piedmont Hills HS)
Born Krystyna Ries on Dec. 24, 1993... Helped Piedmont Hills High School under the direction of Tyrone Monroe to second round of playoffs... Named to the Senior All-Star Team... Was selected to the All-Tournament team at the Gunderson Varsity Tournament in Dec. 2011... Parents, Keith and Darvi Garvine... Sibling, Jordan Garvine... Psychology Major.
