HANOVER, N.H. — Dartmouth women's basketball head coach
Belle Koclanes has announced the addition of four new members in the Class of 2019 to the roster for the upcoming 2015-16 season.
Entering her third season on the sidelines, Koclanes will usher in her second recruiting class after winning 14 games in 2014-15. Three of the four newcomers hail west of the Mississippi with the fourth coming from Pennsylvania. Needing to add size and durability to the roster, Koclanes will add a pair of 6-3 forwards, a 5-8 wing, and a 5-2 point guard.
“We are excited to welcome our Class of 2019 to Hanover,” Koclanes said. “This group brings great length, speed and versatility to the floor as well as incredible personality. They are eager to arrive and motivated to contribute.”
Hailing from Chula Vista, California, Isalys “Ice” Quiñones played at Otay Ranch under Johnny Parra and was a two-year captain for the Mustangs. In her career, Quiñones averaged 11.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. A world traveler, who has visited 15 different countries, Quiñones is a very accomplished player and was named an All-San Diego All-Star as a senior in addition to All-Metro Mesa League First Team honors in her final two years. As a rising sophomore, she was named to the All-Metro Mesa Second Team. At Otay Ranch, “Ice” was a three-time team MVP and garnered the best offensive player, all-around basketball and the most improved athlete awards. Quiñones played AAU for San Diego Sol.
Koclanes on Quiñones: Ice is a naturally gifted, 6-3 presence on the floor with skill sets that are really just scratching the surface. She has the ability to score from the perimeter as well as in the paint and defensively has the length to majorly disrupt opponents. Most importantly, Ice is a consummate teammate who takes great pride in taking care of her family. She also takes great pride in her Puerto Rican heritage, especially during mealtime!
Emily Dryden — Lakewood, Colorado — will also vie for a spot in the frontcourt, as the 6-3 forward heads east after a four-year career at Mullen High School in Denver. As a senior, Dryden led her team to a deep postseason run into the Great 8 of the Colorado State tournament. After this season, she was named to the Colorado Honorable Mention squad and the First-Team All-Centennial League. She was tabbed to the All-Centennial League Second Team as a junior and Honorable Mention as a sophomore. Dryden played for Tyler Cline, who is the head coach at Mullen and Dryden's AAU program, Colorado Premier.
Koclanes on Dryden: Emily Dryden is quite the character! She is very witty and has an enthusiastic attitude for life, which is clearly demonstrated on the basketball court. Emily knows what it takes to lead others as she has shown throughout her high school career. She has a versatile offensive game and tremendous shot blocking abilities at 6'3 on the defensive end. We're excited about Emily's continued development.
Kealy Brown is a 5-8 guard from Henderson, Nevada, Brown played for Chad Kapanui at Liberty High School and GSB Elite AAU. Kealy was part of many successful teams at Liberty. Most recently, she led her team to a third-place finish in the Nevada state tournament. During her junior year, she helped lead her team to a state championship appearance. Prior to her senior season, she earned Las Vegas Sun Super Seven All-Area Team Honors. For her senior season, she was named to the All-Nevada Second Team after a spot on the All-Nevada Third Team as a junior.
Koclanes on Brown: During my very first phone call with Kealy she said, “I want to know everything about Dartmouth…tell me everything!” From that point on I knew she was going to be part of our family. Kealy is one of the most relentless players I have seen, constantly outworking others. She is grounded, levelheaded and entirely focused on achieving her goals. Offensively she will contribute in a variety of ways and defensively she is going to cause havoc.
Cy Lippold recently finished her postgraduate year at Blair Academy in New Jersey after four years at East Stroudsburg High School in Pennsylvania. Originally from The Bronx, New York, Lippold was a two-time First-Team All-Conference and First-Team All-Area standout at East Stroudsburg. At Blair, Lippold's team won the Mid-Atlantic Prep League Championship under head coach Quint Clarke. In 2013, Lippold was invited to the USA Basketball U16 trials. Lippold played her AAU ball for the NJ Demons and Rich Leary.
Koclanes on Lippold: Cy is a true point guard who has maturity well beyond her years. Her knowledge of the game and decision-making skills will propel our team to play at a much faster pace. At 5'2 Cy utilizes speed, vision, and craft to compose the offense. Defensively she brings great energy to the floor and is able to consistently put herself in the proper position to succeed. Above all, Cy is a great teammate and excellent communicator, essential traits for a point guard.
Dartmouth will open the season participating in the Preseason WNIT against Drexel on Friday, Nov. 13.