HoopGurlz: Leary To Stay In New York
With Shakeya Leary's commitment to Syracuse, the Orange have had back-to-back classes where they have kept some of New York state's top players at home. They received a commitment earlier in the year from dynamic 6-foot-2 guard Tyler Ash and Leary provides a potential frontcourt star for years to come.
Both players are ranked in the HoopGurlz Hundred - Ash at 24 and Leary at 54 - and form a formidable case for a top 20 ranked recruiting class. Leary played for one of the country's top club travel teams, Exodus NYC. The program has been loaded with top prospects and this is the second year in a row Syracuse has plucked one of the programs best players. In the 2007 class they signed do-everything guard Erica Morrow who on top of talent brings the program great leadership. Morrow and Leary also attended the same high school, Murry Bergtraum, a perennial PSAL juggernaut.
Leary joined Morrow in 2007 on the All State First Team as selected by the New York State Sportswriters Association. She was also selected to the All Tournament team this summer of the End of the Oregon Trail tournament in Oregon City, Ore.
Leary brings size and athleticism to the front court for the Orange. She is 6-3 and has the ability to score on the block and in mid-range. When she focuses on punishing the opponent on the interior she is almost unstoppable at the high school level. She is also a stand out shot blocker and rebounder.
Coach Quentin Hillsman is building a core of talent heading into his second season as the Head Coach. The team was 3-13 last season in conference play and as this wealth of talent hits the hardwood the team will have the talent to start moving up the Big East standings. The season opens up for the Syracuse this weekend
