Recruting Report: Niagara Women Fill Key Roles

Here's another in the series looking at players joining conference teams for the upcoming season.

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NIAGARA WOMEN

- Tiffany Corselli, a 5-foot-5 point guard: She is a relatively late addition, originally committing to Monroe Community College of Rochester before opting to get right into the Division I ranks with Niagara. She is a small, but dynamic point guard who averaged 21.6 points, 4.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 4.2 steals per game at Alexander Hamilton High School in Yonkers this past season. She also had interest from St. Bonaventure and NJIT. "Tiffany is a dynamic guard," said Niagara coach Kendra Faustin, in a release issued by the school. "She can hit the three's, handle the basketball and mix it up off the dribble. She competes with a smile on her face and enjoys herself every time she steps on the floor."

- Donisha Watson, a 6-foot-4 junior forward; She is a transfer from Monroe Community College where she was a two-year starter. She averaged 7.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game there this past season and was third nationally among NJCAA Division I players with 84 blocks. "Donisha will be a presence in the paint on both ends of the floor," said Faustin. "We are looking forward to seeing her in a Niagara uniform this year."

- Emily Granuth, a 5-11 freshman guard: She is the all-time leading scorer for the Wakefield H.S. program (The Plains, Va.), scoring 1,391 points over three varsity seasons and averaging 16.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game as a senior. "Emily can really extend the defense with her long-range three-point shooting," said Faustin. "Her basketball IQ and work ethic will be great assets to our team."

- Victoria Rampado, 6-2 freshman forward: She comes from just the other side of the border, having played at A.N. Myer school in Niagara Falls, On. She was named that city's top high school basketball player for the past three seasons. She also competed in the Canadian U17 National Tournament this past summer. That team won all five games it played and she was Rampado was named the tournament MVP. "Victoria is a strong and physical face-up post player who can score in a variety of ways," Faustin said. "She has the ability to be a special player in the MAAC."

ANALYSIS: After unexpectedly losing three key players (center Lauren Gatto, forward Shy Britton and point guard Kayla Stroman) early, the Purple Eagles needed some recruiting help, and it appears to have happened. Watson already has junior college experience, so should be the most-ready to contribute right away. Corselli looks like she's capable of getting big minutes early, and Rampado should also help out up front, and should play a key role, too. A number of sources believe Rampado can be an immediate contributor and, eventually, one of the league's better post players. And, teams never have enough outside shooting, and Granuth, by all accounts, is a sniper and should get minutes, as well.