(l to r): Brynley Fitzgerald, Halle Wright, Sidney Zieski, Gabby Mocchi
Bobcats Add Four to Women’s Hoops Program
11/8/2017 3:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Montana State women’s basketball program has added four high school standouts to its roster for the 2018-19 season, announced Head Coach Tricia Binford on Wednesday afternoon. Signing with MSU are Gabrielle Mocchi, a 6-1 forward from Champlin, Minn., Halle Wright, a 6-0 forward from Aumsville, Ore., and Sidney Zieske, a 5-8 guard from Waconia, Minn. In addition, Brynley Fitzgerald, a 5-11 forward from Dillon, will join the program as a preferred walk-on.
The Montana State women's basketball program has added four high school standouts to its roster for the 2018-19 season, announced Head Coach Tricia Binford on Wednesday afternoon. Signing with MSU are Gabrielle Mocchi, a 6-1 forward from Champlin, Minn., Halle Wright, a 6-0 forward from Aumsville, Ore., and Sidney Zieske, a 5-8 guard from Waconia, Minn. In addition, Brynley Fitzgerald, a 5-11 forward from Dillon, will join the program as a preferred walk-on.
Mocchi, who preps at Champlin Park High School, averaged 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks as a junior for the Rebels and head coach Josh Steck. CPHS finished 21-7 overall and 9-3 in league play. For her efforts, she was named All-Northwest Suburban Honorable Mention. Mocchi also garnered all-conference academic accolades.
Mocchi has also played five seasons with the Minnesota Fury under the direction of co-director and founder Nick Storm. The Fury, one of the top club programs in the Midwest, has also produced current Bobcats Claire Lundberg, Martha Kuderer and Tori Martell.
She is the daughter of Francine and Richard Mocchi.
"Gabby is a strong kid, a good defender, and can really shoot it," Binford said. "She'll be able to play multiple positions will stretch the floor with her three-point range. She possesses a high basketball IQ and is a great fit for our program.
"The Fury has turned out strong character kids who are good students in the classroom and smart on the court," Binford added. "When these kids make their recruiting trips to Bozeman they've all come to the same conclusion that the university, community and our game-day atmosphere is something special."
Wright, who preps at Cascade High School, has helped the program to a 70-5 overall mark during her time with the Cougars under the leadership of head coach Mark Stevens. A three-time Oregon West League Player of the Year and a three-time Oregon 4A All-State selection, she averaged 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists as a junior guiding CHS to a fourth place state tournament showing. A two-time all-state tournament pick, Wright averaged 15.6 points and 12.6 rebounds as a sophomore, and 17.4 points and 10.2 rebounds as a freshman.
In addition, Wright played in the EYBL (Elite Youth Basketball League) with The FAST, one of 32-NIKE sponsored teams. The team captured a Blue Star national title her sophomore season under the mentorship of Lisa Griffith.
She is the daughter of Candis and Edgar Wright.
"Halle is flat-out tough," Binford said. "She is gritty and goes above and beyond what is asked of her. Halle has the ability to do numerous things. She can shoot, rebound and has so many intangibles. Our program has always done well with small-town kids. Halle is an outstanding fit for our team."
Zieske, who preps at Waconia High School, averaged 9.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game as a junior. For her efforts, she was named the Wildcats' most valuable player. Last season, Zieske was ranked No. 3 in the state of Minnesota for most three-pointers in a game with nine makes. A four-year letterwinner and honor roll student, Zieske received Spotlight on Scholarship academic recognition across all sports at WHS. She has also been a three-year member of the Minnesota Fury.
She is the daughter of Julie and Todd Zieske.
"Sidney will be a combo guard for us," Binford said. "She is a sharp-shooter and a great team player. As a defender, she will help with her length. She is another great fit and a very strong academic athlete."
Fitzgerald, who preps at Beaverhead County High School, averaged 15.9 points per game, while shooting 51 percent from the field as junior. She also led the Southwestern A pulling down 8.7 rebounds per outing. For her efforts, she garnered all-state accolades, First-Team All-Southwestern A honors, and was co-MVP of the Southwestern A, as well. As a sophomore, Fitzgerald poured in 12.7 points per game.
She is the daughter of Greg and Keeley Fitzgerald.
"Brynley is a tough, multi-sport athlete from a great family," Binford said. "She has come to our camps and possesses an outstanding work-ethic. We're excited that she's committed to walking on and making our program better."
Pronunciations:
Brynley Fitzgerald (BRINN-lee Fitzgerald)
Gabby Mocchi (Gabby MOCK-ee)
Halle Wright (HAILEY Wright)
Sidney Zieske (Sidney ZEE-ski)
Mocchi, who preps at Champlin Park High School, averaged 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks as a junior for the Rebels and head coach Josh Steck. CPHS finished 21-7 overall and 9-3 in league play. For her efforts, she was named All-Northwest Suburban Honorable Mention. Mocchi also garnered all-conference academic accolades.
Mocchi has also played five seasons with the Minnesota Fury under the direction of co-director and founder Nick Storm. The Fury, one of the top club programs in the Midwest, has also produced current Bobcats Claire Lundberg, Martha Kuderer and Tori Martell.
She is the daughter of Francine and Richard Mocchi.
"Gabby is a strong kid, a good defender, and can really shoot it," Binford said. "She'll be able to play multiple positions will stretch the floor with her three-point range. She possesses a high basketball IQ and is a great fit for our program.
"The Fury has turned out strong character kids who are good students in the classroom and smart on the court," Binford added. "When these kids make their recruiting trips to Bozeman they've all come to the same conclusion that the university, community and our game-day atmosphere is something special."
Wright, who preps at Cascade High School, has helped the program to a 70-5 overall mark during her time with the Cougars under the leadership of head coach Mark Stevens. A three-time Oregon West League Player of the Year and a three-time Oregon 4A All-State selection, she averaged 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists as a junior guiding CHS to a fourth place state tournament showing. A two-time all-state tournament pick, Wright averaged 15.6 points and 12.6 rebounds as a sophomore, and 17.4 points and 10.2 rebounds as a freshman.
In addition, Wright played in the EYBL (Elite Youth Basketball League) with The FAST, one of 32-NIKE sponsored teams. The team captured a Blue Star national title her sophomore season under the mentorship of Lisa Griffith.
She is the daughter of Candis and Edgar Wright.
"Halle is flat-out tough," Binford said. "She is gritty and goes above and beyond what is asked of her. Halle has the ability to do numerous things. She can shoot, rebound and has so many intangibles. Our program has always done well with small-town kids. Halle is an outstanding fit for our team."
Zieske, who preps at Waconia High School, averaged 9.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game as a junior. For her efforts, she was named the Wildcats' most valuable player. Last season, Zieske was ranked No. 3 in the state of Minnesota for most three-pointers in a game with nine makes. A four-year letterwinner and honor roll student, Zieske received Spotlight on Scholarship academic recognition across all sports at WHS. She has also been a three-year member of the Minnesota Fury.
She is the daughter of Julie and Todd Zieske.
"Sidney will be a combo guard for us," Binford said. "She is a sharp-shooter and a great team player. As a defender, she will help with her length. She is another great fit and a very strong academic athlete."
Fitzgerald, who preps at Beaverhead County High School, averaged 15.9 points per game, while shooting 51 percent from the field as junior. She also led the Southwestern A pulling down 8.7 rebounds per outing. For her efforts, she garnered all-state accolades, First-Team All-Southwestern A honors, and was co-MVP of the Southwestern A, as well. As a sophomore, Fitzgerald poured in 12.7 points per game.
She is the daughter of Greg and Keeley Fitzgerald.
"Brynley is a tough, multi-sport athlete from a great family," Binford said. "She has come to our camps and possesses an outstanding work-ethic. We're excited that she's committed to walking on and making our program better."
Pronunciations:
Brynley Fitzgerald (BRINN-lee Fitzgerald)
Gabby Mocchi (Gabby MOCK-ee)
Halle Wright (HAILEY Wright)
Sidney Zieske (Sidney ZEE-ski)
Players Mentioned
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