Four sign letters to attend Maine Wheeler a 4th-generation Black Bear

Coach Cindy Blodgett on Thursday released a list of four women who have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Maine on basketball scholarships beginning in 2008-09.

They are Samantha Baranowski of Stanhope, N.J., Jasmine Rush of Houston, Samantha Wheeler of Plaistow, N.H., and Brittany Williams of Rochester, N.Y.

Wheeler, who verbally committed to UMaine a year ago after being recruited by former coach Ann McInerney, will be the fourth generation of her family to attend UMaine.

The 6-foot forward averaged 14.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocked shots as a junior, leading Timberlane Regional High School an 18-0 season. Wheeler was an all-state, second-team choice.

Wheeler, a former Timberlane teammate of Black Bears freshman Magdala Johnson, is the granddaughter of former UMaine quarterback Manche Wheeler (1959-61). Her uncle, Jeff Wheeler, played basketball at UMaine from 1981-85 and was a senior captain.

“Sam is a very hard worker who has been part of a successful program and knows what it takes to win,” Blodgett said. “As a fourth generation Black Bear, she has great appreciation for Maine’s tradition of success and she has a great deal of pride in the university.”

Baranowski is a 6-2 post player who averaged 12.4 points and 8.1 rebounds last winter while earning Sussex County Interscholastic League second-team honors for Lenape Valley Regional High School.

She is the first female basketball player from Lenape Valley to earn a Division I scholarship. She played for the New Jersey Mavericks AAU team.

“Sam is very athletic and runs the court extremely well,” Blodgett said. “She is hungry for success and she brings the kind of work ethic you need to achieve success.”

Rush is a 5-9 guard at St. Pius X High School, where she averaged 22.1 points, 5.2 steals and 4.8 assists as a junior captain. She received all-state and all-district first-team recognition last season, leading the Lady Panthers to a 27-8 record and a spot in the 6A regional finals.

“Jasmine is a very skilled player whose quickness will be a huge asset for us,” Blodgett said. “She can play multiple positions and I see her splitting time at the point and shooting guard spots.”

Williams is a 5-7 point guard out of Churchville-Chili High School, where she averaged 14.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.3 steals as a junior. She helped the Saints (15-7) win a county title and earn a spot in the regional semifinals.

Williams, who shot 82 percent from the foul line, is a two-time all-county pick.

“She is a great defender who loves to put full-court pressure on the ball. She will bring quickness, intensity and aggressiveness to both ends of the court,” Blodgett said.

The signees must meet UMaine admissions require-ments and comply with NCAA initial eligibility guidelines.