Bailey Signs NLI, Set to Join CCSU Women's Basketball for 2009-10 Season

Central Connecticut women's basketball head coach Beryl Piper announced the addition of Bacon Academy's Brooke Bailey to her 2009-10 recruiting class. Bailey, a 6-1 combo guard from Colchester, CT, signed her national letter of intent to become a Blue Devil this fall. She is the third student-athlete to sign with the program, joining Kirsten Daamen and Jameilia Dillon.

"We are extremely excited to welcome Brooke to Central Connecticut," Piper said. "She's such a versatile player. Throughout her career, Brooke has gained the ability to shoot, pass, rebound and handle the ball. She is going to be able to help us at more than one position."

Bailey, who grew from 5-8 to 6-1 between her junior and senior seasons, is coming off an award-filled senior campaign. Averaging 12.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, she earned multiple All-State and all-region honors, an All-Eastern Connecticut Conference accolade and spots in the CHSCA and JCC All-Star games. Bailey guided Bacon Academy to the CIAC Class M State Championship, hitting a turnaround jumper with four seconds left in a 55-53 win over Berlin.

She received MVP honors for her efforts and also garnered the MVP award at the CHSCA All-Star game. In addition to her senior season awards, the two-year captain collected an All-ECC selection as a junior.

Additionally, Bailey captained the Bacon Academy volleyball team for two seasons. She earned all-conference and all-area honors as both a junior and senior.

Bailey also excels in the classroom. She received an Academic All-State award and was named the top scholar-athlete at Bacon Academy this year.

"We are proud to have another stellar student join our program," Piper said. "With her academic prowess, she is solid addition to what we are trying to build both on and off the court at Central Connecticut."

CCSU finished last season at 18-14 overall and 12-6 in Northeast Conference play. The Blue Devils, who had the nation's top turnaround, ended the 2008-09 campaign with a first round WNIT loss at Boston University. The postseason appearance was Central Connecticut's first in its NCAA Division I women's basketball history.

NOTE: Daamen and Dillon were inked during the early signing period. Read the full release on Daamen and Dillon by clicking here.