DAYTON, Ohio - University of Dayton women's basketball head coach Jim Jabir has announced the signing of three to National Letters of Intent. The Flyers will welcome Lauren Cannatelli (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota West), Madeleine Dennis (Perth, Western Australia/Mount Lawley) and Ashleigh Parkinson (Newark, Ohio/Newark Catholic) to the team in the fall of 2015.
"Lauren is a Dayton Flyer and she has been for a long time," commented Jabir. "She fits here in every way from her skill set to her work ethic and her character. Lauren comes from a great family and has been very well coached at Lakota West. We are fortunate to have Lauren join us next year and she will contribute to the continued growth of our program."
Cannatelli, a 5-8 shooting guard for Lakota West under head coach Andy Fishman was ranked 56th at her position by ESPN.com after averaging 15.7 ppg. and 2.2 spg. for the Firebirds as a junior last season. She helped lead her team to a state regional finals appearance, falling to eventual state champion Princeton. Cannatelli was named to the All-Greater Miami Conference First Team as a sophomore and junior and earned mention on the Second Team after her freshman season. She played club ball with Cincinnati Heat Premier.
"Maddy will be coming a very long way to join our program," Jabir mentioned. "Australia is about as far as you can get from Dayton. After she and her family researched all their options they realized that Dayton was the best place for her. Maddy comes with a high motor and great work ethic. She is very skilled for her size and plays with an attack mentality. We are pleased to have her."
Dennis, is a 6-2 forward at Mount Lawley Senior High School in Perth, Western Australia. She posted 12.6 ppg. and 5.1 rpg. with her U18 Kalamunda club team in 2014 and was also invited to the 2014 Australian Development Camp. Dennis was also a member of the Australia U17 squad that played in the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championships for Women.
"Ashleigh is a strong, tough player with a lot of skills," said Jabir. "She is very confident and will step into our program ready to contribute. Ashleigh knew early on that Dayton was a good fit for her and I expect her to make an impact on our program on and off the court."
Parkinson, a 6-2 guard/forward at Newark Catholic under head coach Rob Smith, helped lead her team to the Division 4 regional finals last season, falling to eventual state champions Reedsville Eastern. During that loss, Parkinson scored her 1,000th career point and she also broke the school record for blocks in a season with 81 – a record she originally set with 80 blocks during her sophomore season. She was named to the First Team MSL All-Conference, First Team District 11, First Team Central District, First Team All-County and First Team All-Newark Advocate following the 2013-14 season. Parkinson plays AAU ball with Capital City Stars.
