Nov. 11, 2009

OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University head women's basketball coach Maria Fantanarosa announced Wednesday the signing of four future RedHawks to National Letters of Intent. Erica Almady (Cleveland, Ohio/Hathaway Brown), Haley Robertson (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany), Hannah Robertson (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany) and Kelsey Simon (Vernon Hills, Ill./Stevenson) have all decided to continue their basketball careers at Miami University.

“This recruiting class is a combination of basketball skill and athleticism,” said Fantanarosa. “They are competitive student-athletes who will represent our program at the highest level, both on the court and in the classroom. My expectation for this class is to contribute the first day on campus.”

Almady is a 5-11 forward who led Hathaway Brown High School to a Ohio State Championship in 2009 as a junior. She hit four free throws down the stretch to help seal the win for the Blazers. She was named honorable mention all-state and first team all-conference last year. Playing for Lakota West High School as a sophomore in 2008, she led the team to a state runner-up finish and a top 25 national ranking. She averaged 10 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game last season.

“Erica is a very skilled inside player who can step out and hit the three,” said Fantanarosa. “She is a power forward who outworks people.”

The Robertsons are twins who have led New Albany High School in scoring the past three seasons. Hannah was the team MVP in 2009 after averaging 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.6 steals per game last season. She was named Second Team All-State, as well as First Team All-Ohio Capital Conference and First Team All-Central District. Haley averaged 14.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game last season. She won the team’s Best Defensive Player award and was named All-State honorable mention. She joined Hannah on the All-Ohio Capital Conference First-Team. Both players have been nominated for the McDonald’s All-American award going into their senior years.

“The Robertsons are the first twins that I have signed in my coaching career,” said Fantanarosa. “They are both athletic guards who are very competitive. Haley is a shooting guard who continues to improve at a rapid pace. Hannah is a dominant scorer who is explosive to the basket as an off guard, but also has the skills to play some point.”

Simon is a 6-2 post player who is a three-year letterwinner for Stevenson High School in Vernon Hills, Ill. She led the team to the 2009 Illinois State Regional Finals as a junior last season, and led her AAU team to a runner-up finish at the Full Package Elite National Tournament. She was named to the Illinois High School Association Scholastic Achievement team, and will be serving as team-captain for the second consecutive year as a senior. Her father Cliff Levingston was a NBA first-round draft pick by the Detroit Pistons in 1982 and played in the NBA for 11 seasons. Her brother David Simon was a four-year letterwinner for IPFW and currently plays professional basketball in the European Pro-A League.

“Kelsey will play the center position and is the player in this recruiting class who has the biggest upside,” said Fantanarosa. “She has only played the game for three years and has already proven to have Division I talent. Her athleticism is the strength of her game, and with time and experience she has the potential to be a dominant force inside.”

The 2009-10 edition of the RedHawks open the regular season Nov. 14-15 at the Iona Tip-Off Tournament in New Rochelle, N.Y. Miami faces Bucknell at 5 p.m. Saturday.

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