Central Michigan University Athletics
Women's Basketball Welcomes Five Freshmen in 2024 Signee Class
5/29/2024 10:13:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Head Coach Kristin Haynie’s first recruiting class features Miss Basketball Finalists from two states
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Central Michigan Women's Basketball added a decorated group of five 2024 high school graduates in the first full recruiting cycle of Head Coach Kristin Haynie.
Two players were named Miss Basketball Finalists: Madi Morson (Canton, Mich. / Salem) and Ayanna-Sarai Darrington (Lexington, Ky. / Frederick Douglass).
Darrington, a 6-foot-2 forward, has been the centerpiece down low for Frederick Douglass for the last two seasons, leading to back-to-back district titles and the 2023 Region 11 Championship. She scored 27 points and reeled in 29 rebounds in the 2023 region title, the effort on the boards tied for seventh all-time in Kentucky girls' basketball history. The 2024 Kentucky Miss Basketball Finalist finished her high school career with over 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds as a four-year contributor for Frederick Douglass.
"Ayanna, a Miss Basketball Candidate from Kentucky, is going to make a huge impact with her post presence and ability to crash the boards," Head Coach Kristin Haynie said. "Her athleticism won't only impact our team, but the MAC as well."
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Morson, a 5-foot-8 guard, is a two-time all-state and state dream team selection and was a pivotal piece for the 2023 regional championship for Salem High School. The 2024 Michigan Miss Basketball Finalist was also the Detroit Free Press's No. 3 player in Michigan ahead of her senior year. Toward the end of her illustrious high school tenure, Morson claimed Salem's school record with 44 points on a 16-of-20 shooting night from the floor, having posted a pair of 30-point contests in postseason play as a junior. Morson was also a track & field standout as she earned the 2024 state championship in the high jump after back-to-back runner-up finishes in the event as a sophomore and junior.
"A Miss Basketball candidate for our home state of Michigan, Madi is a great all-around talent. She can score in multiple ways, play on both sides of the ball, and we can't wait for her to bring her passion and fire to our team."
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The Chippewas plucked two prospects from southwest Ohio: Jayda Mosley (Cincinnati, Ohio / Purcell Marian) and Riley Smith (Miamisburg, Ohio / Archbishop Alter).
Mosley, a 5-foot-7 guard, powered Purcell Marian High School to three consecutive OHSAA State Championships her sophomore through senior seasons. A key prospect for long-range shooting, Mosley graduated as the school's record holder in three-pointers made in a game (11) and in a season (100), both marks landed her name in the state's record book twice as well as the 11th player in Ohio girls' basketball history to reach 100 made threes in a season. She was also a three-time All-Miami Valley Conference first-team selection in softball, in the three seasons she played for Purcell Marian.
"Coming out of Ohio, Jayda is a three-time high school state champion. With her high basketball IQ and shooting ability, she is really going to impact our offense and spreading the floor."
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Smith, another 6-foot-2 forward, is another 2024 signee with state-championship pedigree as she graduated from 2022 OHSAA State Champion Archbishop Alter high School outside of Dayton. The 2024 District 15 Player of the Year led the Knights to three straight district and Greater Catholic League titles (2022-24) and was a three-time AP All-Southwest District selection. She graduated with over 1,000 career points, 500 career rebounds.
"Riley is an Ohio State Champion. She's a stretch 4 that does all the intangibles on both ends of the floor. With her size and length she's going to be perfect in our defensive system."
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A second Michigander rounds out the five-player freshman class for 2024-25: Amaya Smith (Flint, Mich. / Powers Catholic).
A 5-foot-7 guard, Amaya Smith concluded her high school career at Powers Catholic after competing in basketball and volleyball for three years at Lake Fenton High School in the Flint Metro area. A 2024 All-Saginaw Valley League first team selection, Smith led Powers to a district championship and the regional finale in 2024, and district title appearances for Lake Fenton in 2021 and 2022.
"Amaya has a great work ethic. We're excited for her defensive presence and ability to knock down open shots. Coming from Flint, right in our backyard, it's great to keep Michigan kids at home!"
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Two players were named Miss Basketball Finalists: Madi Morson (Canton, Mich. / Salem) and Ayanna-Sarai Darrington (Lexington, Ky. / Frederick Douglass).
Darrington, a 6-foot-2 forward, has been the centerpiece down low for Frederick Douglass for the last two seasons, leading to back-to-back district titles and the 2023 Region 11 Championship. She scored 27 points and reeled in 29 rebounds in the 2023 region title, the effort on the boards tied for seventh all-time in Kentucky girls' basketball history. The 2024 Kentucky Miss Basketball Finalist finished her high school career with over 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds as a four-year contributor for Frederick Douglass.
"Ayanna, a Miss Basketball Candidate from Kentucky, is going to make a huge impact with her post presence and ability to crash the boards," Head Coach Kristin Haynie said. "Her athleticism won't only impact our team, but the MAC as well."
FULL BIO
Morson, a 5-foot-8 guard, is a two-time all-state and state dream team selection and was a pivotal piece for the 2023 regional championship for Salem High School. The 2024 Michigan Miss Basketball Finalist was also the Detroit Free Press's No. 3 player in Michigan ahead of her senior year. Toward the end of her illustrious high school tenure, Morson claimed Salem's school record with 44 points on a 16-of-20 shooting night from the floor, having posted a pair of 30-point contests in postseason play as a junior. Morson was also a track & field standout as she earned the 2024 state championship in the high jump after back-to-back runner-up finishes in the event as a sophomore and junior.
"A Miss Basketball candidate for our home state of Michigan, Madi is a great all-around talent. She can score in multiple ways, play on both sides of the ball, and we can't wait for her to bring her passion and fire to our team."
FULL BIO
The Chippewas plucked two prospects from southwest Ohio: Jayda Mosley (Cincinnati, Ohio / Purcell Marian) and Riley Smith (Miamisburg, Ohio / Archbishop Alter).
Mosley, a 5-foot-7 guard, powered Purcell Marian High School to three consecutive OHSAA State Championships her sophomore through senior seasons. A key prospect for long-range shooting, Mosley graduated as the school's record holder in three-pointers made in a game (11) and in a season (100), both marks landed her name in the state's record book twice as well as the 11th player in Ohio girls' basketball history to reach 100 made threes in a season. She was also a three-time All-Miami Valley Conference first-team selection in softball, in the three seasons she played for Purcell Marian.
"Coming out of Ohio, Jayda is a three-time high school state champion. With her high basketball IQ and shooting ability, she is really going to impact our offense and spreading the floor."
FULL BIO
Smith, another 6-foot-2 forward, is another 2024 signee with state-championship pedigree as she graduated from 2022 OHSAA State Champion Archbishop Alter high School outside of Dayton. The 2024 District 15 Player of the Year led the Knights to three straight district and Greater Catholic League titles (2022-24) and was a three-time AP All-Southwest District selection. She graduated with over 1,000 career points, 500 career rebounds.
"Riley is an Ohio State Champion. She's a stretch 4 that does all the intangibles on both ends of the floor. With her size and length she's going to be perfect in our defensive system."
FULL BIO
A second Michigander rounds out the five-player freshman class for 2024-25: Amaya Smith (Flint, Mich. / Powers Catholic).
A 5-foot-7 guard, Amaya Smith concluded her high school career at Powers Catholic after competing in basketball and volleyball for three years at Lake Fenton High School in the Flint Metro area. A 2024 All-Saginaw Valley League first team selection, Smith led Powers to a district championship and the regional finale in 2024, and district title appearances for Lake Fenton in 2021 and 2022.
"Amaya has a great work ethic. We're excited for her defensive presence and ability to knock down open shots. Coming from Flint, right in our backyard, it's great to keep Michigan kids at home!"
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