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Signing
Morgan Olander, a postgraduate student at Pomfret School, signs her NLI for D1 Basketball at Bryant University while parents (behind her) coach (seated) and advisers watch. Courtesy photo.
By Ron P. Coderre
Morgan Olander, a postgraduate student athlete at Pomfret School signed a letter of intent accepting a four-year full scholarship to play basketball at Bryant University, Smithfield, R.I.
The signing took place on National Letter of Intent day, Dec. 13.
Olander, who previously attended E.O. Smith High School in Mansfield, entered Pomfret School in September for both the academic experience and the opportunity to fine-tune her already impressive basketball skills, according to a Pomfret School news release. Her addition to the Lady Griffins basketball program is viewed as an invaluable addition to the team.
“It’s been only two weeks with Morgan but she is as steady and level-headed an athlete as I have coached. She brings composure to this young group, and balances us out on the floor,” said girls’ varsity basketball coach Rebecca Brooks.
In early season play Olander has been a welcome addition to the women’s hoop team, which boasts a 5-1 log in its first six games. Olander has proven to be an offensive force as well as the leading rebounder in early action. She’s posted a number of double-double efforts in leading the team in both scoring and rebounding as it’s off to the successful start of the 2012-2013 season.
“With her experience, leadership and talent we have an exciting two months ahead of us,” added Brooks.
In basketball circles the name Olander is immediately associated with tall, talented, strong, well-schooled basketball players. Morgan Olander is the third basketball player in the family of Stanley and Tracy Olander to accept a college basketball scholarship. Her brother Ryan is a senior at Fairfield University, where he is the Stags 6-feet, 10-inch center. Her brother Tyler is a 6-9 junior at UConn and the starting center for the Huskies of coach Kevin Ollie.
Bryant University is a member of the Northeast Conference. The school upgraded its NCAA status to Division I a number of years ago after being a Division II power in the Northeast-X Conference. Head coach Mary Burke, a Providence College graduate, is in her 22nd year as the women’s basketball program coach at Bryant University.
Olander is the second Pomfret School women’s basketball players to accept a scholarship to a Division I program in the past three years. Zenab Keita, a junior at Yale University, was the previous Pomfret player to receive a basketball scholarship.