Nov. 11, 2010
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame head women’s basketball coach Muffet McGraw announced Thursday that three of the country’s top high school student-athletes have chosen to continue their academic and athletic careers with the Fighting Irish, each signing a National Letter of Intent to attend Notre Dame beginning in the fall of 2011.
Madison Cable, a 5-11 guard from Mount Lebanon, Pa. (Mount Lebanon High School), Whitney Holloway, a 5-4 guard from Plainfield, Ill. (Montini Catholic High School) and Markisha Wright, a 6-2 forward from Des Moines, Iowa (Des Moines East High School) all made their official commitments to the Fighting Irish during the early signing period, which began Wednesday and continues through Nov. 17.
All three student-athletes are rated among the top 60 players in the country by various national recruiting services. As a group, this trio currently is a consensus top-20 class by all major recruiting outlets (final class rankings will come out following the early signing period), likely giving Notre Dame a Top 25 class for the 15th consecutive year, a streak only two other schools in the country (Connecticut and Tennessee) can match.
“We really like what these three players bring to the table,” McGraw said. “We looked at this class as far as gearing up for the future since we really only lose (senior forward) Becca Bruszewski off this year’s team. So the focus with this group was identifying those players who can take over when our juniors graduate in a couple of years. We expect that this class will be able to step in and contribute from the outset, and we look for them to have a major impact on our future success. All three are exceptional young women, both on and off the court, and we are very excited to have them joining our program and our University next year.”
“This is a good class for Notre Dame with players that are a good fit for them,” said Bret McCormick, an analyst for All-Star Girls Report. “They all play hard and aggressively and have the ability to contribute right away On the other hand, with Notre Dame only losing one player off this year’s team, they can also come in and learn the ropes slowly without having to be rushed right into the lineup. All of them are great players who should have great careers at Notre Dame.”
“The 2011 early signing class for Notre Dame has a blue-collar theme,” added Chris Hansen, national director of prospects for ESPN Hoopgurlz. “That’s not saying the kids aren’t talented, but all three signees are hard-working overachievers on the court that put the team ahead of personal statistics.”
Ranked 12th in both the preseason Associated Press poll and ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll, Notre Dame will tip off its 2010-11 season at 4 p.m. (ET) Friday when it plays host to New Hampshire inside Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. At that game, the Fighting Irish will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their 2001 NCAA national championship season, including a special halftime ceremony and a pre-game autograph session with the players from that team.
Single-game and season tickets for all Notre Dame women’s basketball games in 2010-11 are on sale through the Murnane Family Ticket Office by calling (574) 631-7356 or visiting the ticket windows inside Gate 9 (the Rosenthal Atrium) at Purcell Pavilion, or by going on-line to the official Fighting Irish athletics ticketing web page (www.UND.com/tickets).
For more information on the Notre Dame women’s basketball program, sign up to follow the Fighting Irish women’s basketball Twitter pages (www.twitter.com/ndwbbsid or www.twitter.com/notredamewbb) or register for the Irish ALERT text-messaging system through the sidebar on the women’s basketball page at UND.com.
A capsule look at the three newest additions to the Fighting Irish women’s basketball program follows:
MADISON CABLE, 5-11, Guard (Mount Lebanon, Pa./Mount Lebanon High School)
Statistics/Records: Beginning her fourth year at Mount Lebanon High School (combined record of 89-8, .918) in Mount Lebanon, Pa., where she has been coached by Dori Oldaker … career per-game statistical averages of 10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.6 steals and 3.0 assists … has helped the Blue Devils to back-to-back Pennsylvania Class AAAA state championships in 2009 and 2010 (with a combined record of 60-2 in those two seasons), following a berth in the Class AAAA title game during her freshman season (2007-08) … in the past two championship seasons, she has per-game averages of 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.5 steals and 3.5 assists … MLHS is the first repeat Class AAAA champion to come from western Pennsylvania since that classification was added in 1984 … MLHS also has an active 50-game winning streak against Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) competition since a loss in the 2008 WPIAL tournament semifinals … as a junior in 2009-10, helped Mount Lebanon to 29-2 record, including season-ending 24-game winning streak, a No. 7 national ranking at season’s end, according to MaxPreps (tops in state across all four classes) and second consecutive state championship, as well as a second WPIAL crown in a row … averaged 15.0 ppg., 8.0 rpg., 5.0 spg., and 4.0 apg. … nearly single-handedly led her team to the 2010 state title, scoring 30 points and adding nine rebounds, six steals, five assists and four blocks in a 70-43 championship game win over Archbishop Ryan … also scored her 1,000th career point last season … as sophomore in 2008-09, helped team to a perfect 31-0 record, a No. 24 national ranking in the year-end MaxPreps poll (third in state and No. 1 in Class AAAA), the program’s first state championship and WPIAL title while averaging 12.0 ppg., 6.0 rpg., 4.0 spg., and 3.0 apg. … as freshman in 2007-08, was solid contributor on Class AAAA state runner-up squad that went 29-6 and was ranked 11th in the state; she averaged 6.0 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 2.0 spg. and 2.0 apg. … MLHS also has won three consecutive WPIAL Section 4 championships in Cable’s career … has enjoyed considerable success on the AAU circuit, playing for the Western Pennsylvania Bruins and coach Kyra Kaylor … averaged 26.0 ppg., in 2009-10, following similar productive offensive performances in 2008-09 (22.0 ppg.) and 2007-08 (18.0 ppg.).
Awards/Honors: Sporting News preseason honorable mention All-American (2010-11) … MaxPreps honorable mention All-American (2010) … ESPN Rise Underclassman All-America Team (2010) … first-team all-state selection (2010) … 2010 Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Player of the Year … 2010 ESPN/WTAE Female Basketball Player of the Year … two-time first-team all-WPIAL pick (2009, 2010) … two-time Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous Five selection (overall and south side in 2010; south side in 2009) … two-time first-team all-WPIAL Section 4 choice (2009, 2010) … two-time Almanac Most Valuable Player (2009, 2010) … first-team all-tournament team selection at 2009 Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix, Ariz. … will appear on cover of 2010 Nike Tournament of Champions media guide … ranked 52nd by ESPN Hoopgurlz … ranked 68th by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report (16th among small forwards) … ranked 76th by All-Star Girls Report (14th among shooting guards) … ranked 99th by Blue Star Basketball.
Personal Data: Born Dec. 17, 1992, in Pittsburgh, Pa. … daughter of Suzie and Dale Cable … has two older sisters, Kassie and Jourdan … will become sixth Pennsylvania resident to sign with Notre Dame women’s basketball program, and the second in as many years following the arrival of current freshman guard and Erie, Pa., native Kayla McBride … will be first Fighting Irish women’s basketball player to come from the Pittsburgh metro area since two-time honorable mention All-America wing Charel Allen (Monessen/Monessen HS) from 2004-08 … has two unique talents — can juggle while riding a wave skateboard, and has a scream that sounds like a siren.
Coach McGraw on Cable…
“Madison is going to help us in so many ways. She rebounds well for a big guard, can really shoot the three and is very solid handling the ball. She’s also a very smart, intense player with a great work ethic. Her high school team is really known for its attention to defense, which always helps in the transition to the college level, especially with our program, and she’s used to winning with her team winning back-to-back state titles. She might have been a little bit overlooked in the recruiting world, but we think she can really come in here and contribute.”
Bret McCormick (Analyst, All-Star Girls Report) on Cable…
“Madison is a multi-position player who started out playing the point, but has moved out to the other guard spots with her high school and AAU teams in the last couple of years. She’s a very aggressive player with a high basketball IQ, someone who knows how to come off screens, who attacks the basket well off the dribble and is a great three-point shooter. She’s really Muffet’s kind of player.”
All-Star Girls Report evaluation of Cable…
“Good athlete; good handles; can get to the hoop; pull up J; good b-ball IQ; shoots deep 3; high IQ; can play all 3 guard positions; aggressive; plays hard.”
Collegiate Girls Basketball Report evaluation of Cable…
“Fundamental perimeter performer with long frame; moves off ball; catches and finishes with body control in traffic; catch-and-shoot range to the arc; system producer; midrange consistency with a scorer’s mentality; exceptional athlete.”
Chris Hansen (National Director of Prospects, ESPN Hoopgurlz) on Cable…
“There isn’t a loose ball she won’t dive for. She brings smooth athleticism and good size to the perimeter with a knack for making plays, be it with the finish, pass, or an offensive rebound. Cable has all the intangibles that have become a hallmark of kids Muffet McGraw signs.”
ESPN Hoopgurlz evaluations of Cable…
“She is very smooth and athletic, has nice rise and release on her jump shot. Does a good job finishing layups … Hustling and scrapping player who simply makes plays. Solid fundamentally and makes good decisions. Slight build but decent height on the perimeter. Very young looking. The kind of player who is essential to a complete recruiting class.”
WHITNEY HOLLOWAY, 5-4, Guard (Plainfield, Ill./Montini Catholic High School)
Statistics/Records: Entering her fourth year as a starter at Montini Catholic High School (combined record of 89-13, .873) in Lombard, Ill., where she has been coached by Jason Nichols … career per-game statistical averages of 11.0 points, 4.8 assists and 3.6 steals … led the Broncos to the first Illinois Class 3A state championship in school history in 2010, following state third-place finish (semifinalist berth) in 2008 … team also has won three consecutive Class 3A sectional titles (2008-10) and two supersectional crowns (2008, 2010), as well as three consecutive Suburban Christian Conference (SCC) championships (2008-10) during Holloway’s career … as a junior in 2009-10, helped Montini Catholic to a 33-2 record (best in school history) and 3A state championship, even after losing post player Michala Johnson (now a freshman at Connecticut) due to injury for second consecutive season … averaged 13.0 ppg., 5.0 apg., and 3.0 spg. … played major role in final two state tournament games with 19 points in semifinal win over Springfield, and 12 points and seven assists in championship game win over Hillcrest … as sophomore in 2008-09, helped team to a 28-5 record while averaging 12.0 ppg., 6.5 apg., and 5.0 spg. … as freshman in 2007-08, helped team reach state semifinals with 28-6 record, averaging 8.0 ppg., 3.0 apg., and 3.0 spg. … sparkled on the AAU circuit, playing for Full Package/Midwest Elite and coach Ralph Gesualdo … helped Midwest Elite to four titles during summer 2010 AAU season — U.S. Junior Nationals in Washington, D.C., USJN Mid-America Challenge (Champaign, Ill.), USJN Premier Invitational (Cincinnati, Ohio) and USJN Summer Final (Chicago) … team also won Illinois under-17 AAU title and finished as runner-up at Nike Summer Showcase in Chicago.
Awards/Honors: Two-time all-state selection (2010 – first team; 2009 – second team) … 2010 My Suburban Life all-area Most Valuable Player … three-time all-area pick (2008-10) … 2010 Suburban Christian Conference Player of the Year … three-time first-team all-conference choice (2008-10) … three-time academic all-conference selection (2008-10) … twice attended Nike Skills Academy (2009, 2010) … ranked 20th by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report (fourth among point guards) … ranked 29th by Blue Star Basketball … ranked 45th by All-Star Girls Report (15th among point guards).
Personal Data: Born July 13, 1993, in St. Louis, Mo. … daughter of Carla and Chris Holloway … has one brother, CJ … will become 13th player from state of Illinois to suit up for Notre Dame, and the 12th to come from the Chicagoland area, a list that includes current Fighting Irish senior forward Devereaux Peters (Chicago/Fenwick HS) and sophomore guard Kaila Turner (Joliet/Marian Catholic HS).
Coach McGraw on Holloway…
“Whitney will bring us energy and intensity, especially at the defensive end. She also has a great work ethic and that winning mentality after leading her team to a state title last year when other key players went down with injuries. She’s another great ball handler against the press, she passes the ball and sees the court so well, and has a solid assist-to-turnover ratio.”
Bret McCormick (Analyst, All-Star Girls Report) on Holloway…
“Don’t be fooled by Whitney’s size — she’s very tough and explosive and she can get to the rim on just about anybody. She reminds me of Lorin Dixon at Connecticut with her speed and skill set. What’s also nice about Whitney is that she can relieve Skylar (Diggins) at the point and allow her to slide over to the two-guard spot at times.”
All-Star Girls Report evaluation of Holloway…
“Ultra quick; gets to the basket; pull up J; shoots 3; runs the show; good passer & handles; true gym rat.”
Collegiate Girls Basketball Report evaluation of Holloway…
“Quick lead-guard with basketball IQ; pushes tempo; handles; displays confidence at position; motors in transition; 3-point threat; penetrates and distributes.”
MARKISHA WRIGHT, 6-2, Forward (Des Moines, Iowa/Des Moines East High School)
Statistics/Records: Beginning her fourth year at East High School (combined record of 61-10, .859) in Des Moines, Iowa, where she has been coached by Sam Powell … career per-game statistical averages of 11.2 points and 6.3 rebounds … helped pace the Scarlets to an Iowa Class 4A state runner-up finish in 2010 … team also has won a regional title (2010) and three Central Iowa Metropolitan League (CIML) Metro Conference championships (2008-10) during her career … as a junior in 2009-10, helped East to a 25-1 record as team rolled to brink of state title before 38-35 loss to Linn-Mar in 4A championship game; finished season ranked fourth in the state … averaged 12.8 ppg. and 8.0 rpg., while shooting .492 from the floor and a school-record .754 from the free throw line … as sophomore in 2008-09, helped team to a 20-3 record while averaging 11.9 ppg. and 6.5 rpg. with .559 field goal percentage and .742 free throw percentage … as freshman in 2007-08, contributed to team’s 16-6 record, averaging 8.6 ppg. and 4.2 rpg. with .522 field goal percentage and .789 free throw percentage (not enough attempts to qualify for school record) … found great success on the AAU circuit, playing for All Iowa Attack and coach Dickson Jensen … program has posted 120-10 record in past three seasons … averaging 12.0 ppg., 11.0 rpg., 3.0 bpg., in AAU play.
Awards/Honors: Sporting News preseason honorable mention All-American (2010-11) … two-time first-team all-state selection (2009, 2010) … three-time first-team all-metro pick (2008-10) … three-time all-district choice (2008-10) … two-time all-conference selection (2009, 2010) … ranked 51st by All-Star Girls Report (eighth among centers) … ranked 53rd by Blue Star Basketball … ranked 77th by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report (12th among power forwards).
Personal Data: Born Sept. 19, 1993, in Pasadena, Calif. … first name is pronounced marr-KEE-shuh … daughter of Nichole and Mark Wright … has two brothers, Joseph Martin and Mark Wright, Jr. … will be the third Iowa resident to join the Notre Dame women’s basketball program, and the first in two decades since the Liebscher sisters — Sheila (1979-81) and Sara (1987-91) — from Davenport, Iowa, played for the Fighting Irish; Sara Liebscher currently is a director of West Region development at Notre Dame … earned high school nickname of “Mom” for her maternal instincts while looking out for her teammates … her first cousin is former eight-time Major League Baseball All-Star slugger Darryl Strawberry, who played for 16 seasons with the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees, winning four World Series titles, two National League Silver Slugger awards and the 1983 National League Rookie of the Year award; he currently is a color analyst on SportsNet New York’s broadcasts of New York Mets games … her second cousin is D.J. Strawberry, son of Darryl, and a standout basketball player at the University of Maryland from 2004-07 before being drafted in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns.
Coach McGraw on Wright…
“Markisha fills what will be our biggest need during the next few seasons, which is an agile post who can rebound, score and defend. She’s going to be counted on to help fill the void created by Becca Bruszewski’s graduation following this season. Markisha brings toughness and aggressiveness to the position, as well as a solid back-to-the-basket game, and like Madison and Whitney, she has a strong work ethic and intensity.”
Bret McCormick (Analyst, All-Star Girls Report) on Wright…
“Markisha is a versatile post who can score inside on the block, but also has the ability to step outside. She’s strong, athletic and someone who uses her size well, and that can be a real asset for Notre Dame in the coming years.”
All-Star Girls Report evaluation of Wright…
“Very athletic; strong body; runs good; scores down low; good rebounder; nice FT; great upside; steps out to 3-point range; can play the 4 & 5 position.”
Collegiate Girls Basketball Report evaluation of Wright…
“Physical insider rebounds, putbacks; active on both ends of the floor; face-up game to the arc; pins and finishes in paint; aggressively competes on glass; attacks rim off the dribble; implemented dribble/drive attack to offensive arsenal.”
— ND —