Quinnipiac University
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QU Women's Basketball Head Coach Tricia Fabbri Signs Three to National Letters of Intent
1/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HAMDEN, Connecticut – Quinnipiac University women's basketball head coach Tricia Fabbri has announced the signing of three student-athletes – Brittany Martin (Sicklerville, New Jersey), Aryn McClure (Queens, New York) and Edel Thornton (County Cork, Ireland) – to national letters of intent with the Bobcats.
"We are thrilled to announce our Class of 2019 and would like to welcome Brittany Martin, Aryn McClure and Edel Thornton to the Quinnipiac women's basketball family," Fabbri said. "In this recruiting class we wanted to get more athletic on the perimeter and this class certainly fits the bill."
Brittany Martin
Hometown: Sicklerville, New Jersey
High School/Previous School: Timber Creek
Height: 5-6
Position: Guard
The younger sister of current standout Jasmine Martin, Brittany has starred for Timber Creek High School in New Jersey just like her sister in Jasmine's four years before arriving at Quinnipiac. Currently averaging 19.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.4 steals per game, Brittany is on-pace to break Jasmine's all-time scoring record at Timber Creek. As a junior in 2013-14, Brittany earned Second Team All-State honors after averaging a team-leading 21.2 points per game and leading Timber Creek to the South Jersey, Group 3 final.
Referred to as one of the top players in South Jersey, Brittany has established herself as the go-to scorer on a Timber Creek squad that relies on her heavily for points on offense. Recently nominated as one of six New Jersey players for the McDonald's All-American game, Brittany is a superior athlete at the guard position and can play at both the one and two guard.
What Coach Fabbri Says About Brittany Martin:
"We're absolutely thrilled to have four more years with the Martin family and Brittany is another tremendous addition to our program. Brittany stands a great chance of breaking her sister Jasmine's all-time scoring record at Timber Creek and that really says it all. She's ultra-athletic, can get to the rim very quickly and has the versatility to guard multiple positions on defense. As an on-ball defender, Brittany already is at an elite level and projects to be a stopper on defense which is something we haven't had since Felicia Barron."
Aryn McClure
Hometown: Springfield Gardens, New York
High School/Previous School: Archbishop Molloy
Height: 6-0
Position: Guard/Forward
Ranked as the No. 264 overall Class of 2019 prospect by All Star Girls Report, Aryn McClure is the highest ranked player Quinnipiac has ever received. With heavy interest from several big programs in the area, McClure's all-around ability as a 6-foot forward with guard-like skills make her one of NYC's most versatile players. 
Playing for one of the best schools in the country in Archbishop Molloy, McClure helped lead Molloy to the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens final in 2013-14. As a junior in 2013-14, McClure averaged 15 points and 8.0 rebounds per game to earn CHSAA Div. I Second Team honors alongside future Quinnipiac teammate Jennifer Fay. An athletic perimeter performer, McClure has the athleticism to break down defenders with a quick first step attack. She is active on the glass, a quick leaper and her size presents plenty of mismatch potential for Coach Fabbri to utilize at Quinnipiac.
What Coach Fabbri Says About Aryn McClure:
Aryn is the highest rated prospect signed by Quinnipiac to-date. Her addition is a tremendous get for our program. She is a gifted athlete, unselfish with the ball and a gifted defender with the length to cause problems all over the court. She makes shots from both the inside and out but her playmaking skills really make her stand out among the rest. Her size gives us the versatility to use her at multiple positions and she comes from a great family."
Edel Thornton
Hometown: County Cork, Ireland
High School/Previous School: Ireland U-18 National Team / Brunell (Ireland)
Height: 5-11
Position: Guard
Edel Thornton is one of the brightest stars in Irish Basketball and in 2013 became the first player to ever win U18 and U20 National Cup Finals MVP honors in the same year. In the same calendar year, Thornton earned MVP honors at the final of the Women's Premier League Shield final, showing that she is not only one of the best underage players in Ireland but a true force in the senior women's game as well.
A starting point guard for the U-18 Irish National Team, Thornton has long been on the scene for Ireland basketball. Playing for the club team Brunell out of Cork, Thornton was the youngest player in the Women's Premier League for over two seasons after her rookie year in 2011. A proven big game performer, Thornton contributed a massive 35-point night to lead Brunell to the 2013 Ireland U20 Women's National Cup Championship. Fresh off a 28-point performance in the 2014 U20 Women's National Cup semifinals, Thornton looks to lead Brunell to a second straight U20 title later this month.
What Coach Fabbri Says About Edel Thornton:
"We fell in love with Edel at our camp this past summer. One of her defining qualities is her elite competitiveness. Her fierceness and drive both in games and practice is something you cannot teach. Edel fits our mold perfectly as a player who can play multiple positions. We aren't going to pigeon-hole her into one spot on the floor. She makes shots and makes plays for others on her drives."
Student-athletes, parents and fans can download the QU Athletics schedules to your laptop and mobile devices for free by clicking in the iCalendar link at the bottom of each sport's homepage or the master schedule page. Please follow Quinnipiac Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@QUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates.
Photo Credit:
Jose F. Moreno – Courier Post (Brittany Martin)
Issac Cass – MSG Varsity (Aryn McClure)
The Courtside Collective - (Edel Thornton)
Contact: Maxx McNall; maxx.mcnall@quinnipiac.edu
