HONOLULU – A total of 32,479 miles highlights the diversity within the Chaminade University women's basketball team's 10 new signings for the 2023-24 season and the distance from O'ahu for head coach
Michael Edwards first recruiting class within the program.
The Silversword's signing class includes transfers junior
Sameera Elmasri, and sophomore
Ashley Holen, and an eight-player freshman class of
Morgan Escobedo,
Madison Gage,
Libby Hein,
Ellasyn Matlak,
Julien Parado,
Alyssa Schuetze,
Kylie Squier, and
Amaya Washington.
"Our coaching staff is extremely excited about our incoming class of 10 players for the 2023-2024 season," Edwards said. "It was very important to our coaching staff that we brought in players that could help us not only change the culture and attitude of our program but also raise the overall work ethic and love of the game.
"We talk a lot about 'Heart, Mind and Soul,' three characteristics we look for in each of our players and this class overwhelmingly represents those three pillars. We believe we added 10 high achieving academic student-athletes that truly love the game of basketball, have the work ethic to continue to develop as well as being great people and a pleasure to be around."
While her teammates all traveled a substantial distance to O'ahu, the 5-foot-6 guard from Ewa Beach choose to stay home. Parado, a James Campbell High School graduate and valedictorian, was a two-time O'ahu West Division First Team selection and the 2023 OIA West Division Player of the Year who helped the Sabers capture back-to-back OIA championships.
Edwards on Parado:
"Julien is a high IQ player, who understands her game and how to translate what she does well to what the team needs within the moment. A quick first step and solid defender, Julien will immediately help us in the backcourt and in defending opposing teams' top guards."
Alyssa Schuetze, a 5-11 freshman forward, had the quickest flight to O'ahu, traveling 2,516 miles from Temecula, California. The Great Oaks High School graduate helped the Wolfpack to the Southwestern League championship while earning first team all-league honors in 2023 and twice named the Wolfpack's most valuable player.
Edwards on Schuetze:
"Alyssa brings length and height to our front court but has the ability to step out and knock down the deep shot with her shooting ability. Alyssa continues to be willing to embrace a role that helps benefit the team and her continued focus and development in her strength and inside game will only enhance her opportunities for success on the court."
From Dream City Christian High School in Peoria, Arizona, 5-10 freshman wing
Amaya Washington traveled a total 2,793 miles to get to O'ahu. Washington, a 2023 McDonald's All-American nominee was also valedictorian at Dream City and named the school's Female Athlete of the Year.
Edwards on Washington:
"Amaya brings length, speed and athleticism to our perimeter and has the ability to be a strong defender on an opponent's top wing players. An extremely good outside shooter, Amaya brings a complete inside-outside type game on the offensive side of the ball."
Freshman
Morgan Escobedo, a 5-4 lightning quick guard from Scottsdale, Arizona and Pinnacle High School comes in at a sunny distance of 2,811 miles. Pinnacle's athlete of the year and team's most valuable player as a senior, Escobedo also earned high marks in the classroom finishing with an unweighted GPA of 4.0.
Edwards on Escobedo:
"Morgan knows who she is and what she does well, something most freshman need a little time to fully understand. A very quick point guard, Morgan will immediately give us additional help in our backcourt. But what we really like is Morgan's defensive intensity as our conference is full of very talented guards."
From Broomfield, Colorado and Legacy High School, 5-10 freshman guard
Madison Gage traveled a distance of 3,262 miles trading in her snow boots for slippers. As a senior, Gage was named to the All-Front Range League Team and All-Conference First Team.
Edwards on Gage:
"Madison already has a solid work ethic, one of the first in and last out, which is why she is such a tremendous shooter but her length and athleticism and continued devotion to getting better will allow her to truly succeed in our conference as she continues to develop."
Transfer redshirt sophomore
Ashley Holen traveled 3,474 miles from Watford City, North Dakota to showcase her talents. The 5-10 Holen is a slashing wing with outside shooting ability last playing for Division II Minot State in North Dakota. A Division II Academic Achievement Award honoree, Holen was a first team all-state awardee, WDA Senior Athlete of the Year and state Class A Senior Athlete of the Year winner in 2021 and class valedictorian.
Edwards on Holen:
"Ashley is a high energy player, never seems to have a bad day in practice and sets a great example to our younger players in how to continually give full effort. A very good shooter who will bring us more flow within the offense and help us on defense against taller wings in our conference."
Totaling 3,803 miles from O'ahu, a 5-10 forward from Shawnee, Kansas,
Sameera Elmasri transfers in from Division III Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama, where she played during the 2022-23 season. Elmasri, during the 2021-22 season, was part of Division II Claflin University women's program in Orangeburg, South Carolina. During the 2022-23 season, she averaged 12.9 ppg, while leading the Panthers in steals and rebounding average.
Edwards on Elmasri:
"Sameera brings experience and strength to the program. She knows and is confident in her abilities and attacks the rim fiercely absorbing contact but still successfully finishing. She will be looked to also provide that strength and confidence on the defensive end as our conference has a ton of strong front court players."
Further east at 4,375 miles, 5-9 freshman guard Elizabeth "Libby" Hein arrives on O'ahu from Kennesaw, Georgia and Harrison High School. A four-year varsity letter winner, during Hein's junior year, she helped her Mount Paran High School team capture a state championship. She was also a high academic achiever as a member of the National Honor Society and Honor Roll awardee.
Edwards on Hein:
"Libby is an energetic player that understands her abilities and continually looks to fill whatever role is required in the moment to help the team succeed. She is an attacking guard whose shot continues to improve that we believe can help us push the ball or initiate the break with her speed and quickness."
Freshman
Ellasyn Matlak already had a home on the water, but the Minneola, Florida native decided to trade in the fresh water comforts of home and travel 4,597 miles to O'ahu for a little salt water living. A graduate of South Lake High School, the 5-7 guard was a four-year captain and four-time recipient of the FACA District 8 POY award. She became only the third player in school history to eclipse the 1,000-point mark, while recording a quadruple-double, two triple-doubles and ten double-doubles during her high school career.
Edwards on Matlak:
"Ellasyn is a fierce competitor with an incredible work ethic and internal drive. She has developed into a very good shooter and will continue to develop and help add to our backcourt on both the offensive and defensive end of the floor."
The award for the furthest distance from O'ahu goes to 5-8 freshman guard
Kylie Squier from Branchville, New Jersey at 4,848 miles. The Pope John XXIII Regional graduate was a two-time team captain and was among the top 50 New Jersey statistical leaders while earning academic accolades including National Honor Society and Honors Art and Orchestra Awards.
Edwards on Squier:
"Kylie brings a strong work ethic to our program, being the first in and last out on most nights. A strong fundamental player who doesn't make many mistakes and takes care of the basketball plus can play multiple positions. Kylie will definitely provide us an overall spark and on offense an improvement within our teams midrange scoring."
The Silverswords return five players from last season's squad including seniors
Dallas Martinez (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Whittier College/Sacred Hearts Academy),
Emma Morris (Tucson, Ariz./Tanque Verde), and
Sasha Phillip (Hau'ula, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Hawai'i Baptist), along with sophomores
Dezaray Carter (Honolulu/Sacred Hearts Academy) and
Selena Buttery (Brockway, Pa./Brockway).
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