Women’s Basketball Announces 2018 Recruiting Class

By: Matthew Carney, athletics intern

MEDIA, Pa. -- The Penn State Brandywine women's basketball team and 13th-year Head Coach Larry Johnson released the class of 2022 student-athletes who will enroll at Brandywine in the fall and compete for the Lions this winter on Monday.

A group of seven newcomers will be added to the roster, which is currently composed of eight returning letter winners from the 2017-18 team that repeated as Penn State University Athletic Conference champion and reached the United States College Athletic Association semifinals for the first time in 2017-18.

The 2018 incoming class is comprised of Kiarra Angelini, Gretta Bankes, Amelia Brooks, Dana D'Ambrosio, Ally Giannakarios, Madison Michael and Alexandra Williams.

Angelini, a graduate of West Chester Rustin High School, owns four years of high school basketball experience.

"I chose Brandywine because it fits my needs and offers a lot more support than other colleges," Angelini said. "Plus, I also have the privilege to play basketball here."

Bankes arrives in Media from Kutztown Area High School. Bankes, who competed for the Cougars last winter, is familiar with the PSUAC after watching her older sister, Hannah, play three seasons at rival Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Brooks was captain of the Springfield High School girls basketball team, which won the Central League championship during the 2017-18 season. A recipient of the Joseph Weiss Scholarship Award, Brooks was also a member of the 2016-17 Springfield squad that claimed the District 1 5A title.

"Brandywine is a beautiful campus," said Brooks. "It has everything you can think of to offer."

D'Ambrosio, a two-sport athlete at Ridley High School, will arrive at Brandywine after finishing her high school career with four years of varsity basketball experience, along with two years of softball participation. On the court, D'Ambrosio won back-to-back MVP awards at the Methacton Annual Lady Warrior Classic Tip-Off Tournament and was a winner of the Ridley Girls Basketball Booster Senior Award.

"I felt like Brandywine was the best fit for me academically and athletically," said D'Ambrosio.

Giannakarios makes her way to Brandywine after closing out her career at local Sun Valley High School. A two-year starter with four years of varsity experience, Giannakarios served as team captain during her junior and senior seasons. She also competed for the Chester County Ravens on the AAU basketball circuit for four years. Giannakarios spent her freshman year of college at West Chester University.

Giannakarios chose Penn State Brandywine because it was close to her home and she is able to play basketball.

Michael, who teamed with Giannakarios at Sun Valley, will continue her basketball career at Brandywine. With three years of varsity experience, Michael won the Bev Greto Award and earned the Brookhaven Basketball Scholar Award.

"I chose Penn State Brandywine because it's a nice campus, close to home," said Michael. "It felt the most like home."

Williams, a Mount Laurel, N.J., native, came to Brandywine after finishing her high school career at Rancocas Valley High School. A four-year varsity player, Williams looks forward to continuing her career with the Lions.

"Brandywine's campus is close," said Williams. "They have a good athletic program."

Brandywine opens the 2018-19 season on November 10 on the road at NCAA Division III Rosemont College.