BRONXVILLE, N.Y. – Concordia College New York head women's basketball coach Christie Tomasino Conforti announced the addition of eight newcomers to the women's basketball program on Monday. Joining the Clippers for the 2019-20 campaign are Marigona Bacaliu (Worcester, Mass.) Inasia Barham (Bronx, N.Y.), Eazette Bealon (New York, N.Y.), Christina Brown (Ardmore, Pa.), Shanice Graves (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Toni Kinard (Deer Park, N.Y.), Jaayden Lafontant (Thiells, N.Y.) and Ashley Wilson (Norwalk, Conn.).
"Christie Marrone, Maria Nardulli, Paige Corkins and I are very excited about these eight new additions to the program," Conforti said. "These incoming student-athletes will make an immediate impact on the court and will be key contributors for us long term."
Bacaliu joins the Clippers after scoring 1,000 points at University Park High School before leading Putnam Science Academy to a 22-9 season in the program's inaugural campaign.
"Marigona is a big guard who can do many different things for us," Conforti said. "She has a great outside shot and a nice pull up game. She can also get to the rim and create open looks for those around her."
Barham attended Monsignor Scanlan High School, where she helped guide the Crusaders to three Girls Catholic High School Athletic Association AA State Championship Finals appearances behind three 20-plus win seasons. During the 2018-19 campaign, Barham averaged 10.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals.
"Inasia is a strong guard who can get to the rim ," Conforti commented. "She can rebound the ball well for her position and is very tough defensively."
Joining Barham, Bealon also prepped at Monsignor Scanlan High School where she and Berham helped the Crusaders to three NY Archdiocesan Championships and three GCHSAA State Tournament berths. She averaged 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals during her senior season.
"Eazette is an athletic big who runs the floor very well for her size ," Conforti said. "She can finish strong at the rim and will rebound on both ends."
A guard/forward, Brown prepped at Harriton High School where she graduated as a member of the Ram's 1,000 point club. She helped the program to a pair of postseason berths during her four seasons.
"Christina is a big threat on the offensive end," Conforti said. "She can handle the ball, create for her teammates when needed, and really shoot it well."
Graves comes to Concordia from Monroe College, where she was a two-year letterwinner. She played in all 57 of the Mustangs' games during her two seasons, starting 27 last season while finishing second on the team with 80 steals and fourth with 5.1 rebounds per game to earn the team's Most Improved Award.
"Shanice is very versatile on both ends of the floor," Conforti stated. "She will bring experience to our group coming from Monroe College. Shanice has energy on the defensive end on a consistent basis and will play multiple positions for us."
Kinard joins the program after prepping at St. Anthony's High School, where she helped the Friars to four LIC Championship titles and one State Championship. She boasted a .721 field goal percentage during her senior year, adding 1.2 steals on the defensive end.
"Toni is a quick, athletic guard who works hard on both ends of the floor," Conforti said. "She can spot up and knock shots down consistently from the outside."
A NJSIAA Scholar-Athlete Award recipient and Top-20 Northeast Girls Recruiting honoree, Lafontant prepped at Saddle River Day School where she helped the Rebels to four NJSIAA State Tournament appearances with back-to-back Non-Public B Championship titles. She finished second on the team during the 2018-19 season with 6.57 rebounds per game.
"Jaayden comes from a winning program at Saddle River Day and can be a jack of all trades for us on both sides of the ball," said Conforti. "She will bring a huge spark for us on the defensive end, on the glass, and can guard 1-5"
An All-State and All-Fairfield County Interscholastic Conference honoree, Wilson comes to Concordia after leading the Bears to an undefeated season and top-100 national ranking according to Maxpreps. Her work on the court also earned her the Coaches Award.
"Ashley is a very aggressive, scrappy guard that will do all the little things you need to win games, as she has proven at Norwalk High School," Conforti said. "She can be very disruptive on the defensive end, pressure full court, and is a major threat from 3."
The women's basketball team went 7-21 during the 2018-19 season, going 5-14 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) action.
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