Nov. 13, 2008

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook head women's basketball coach Michele Cherry has announced the signings of Taylor Burner, Gerda Gatling and Sam Landers to National Letters of Intent, on Thursday. All three student-athletes will join the Seawolves as freshmen in 2009-10.

"I am very excited about the class we have signed during the early signing period," Cherry said. "All three of our signees are skilled players as well as great students. I have no doubt that they will be able to contribute to our program from day one. I'm thrilled to welcome them and their families into the Stony Brook family." Cherry said.

A native of nearby Port Jefferson, N.Y., Burner played her high school basketball last season at famed Christ the King High School where former Stony Brook women's basketball player Jill Cook is currently an assistant. Last year, Burner helped the Royals to a Class A State Federation Championship. This past October, she competed in the Metro Classic, pitting the best of the New York City Boroughs vs. New York Suburbs. Next summer, the 6'4'' center will play for the United States in the 2009 Maccabiah Games in Israel. Burner played her AAU basketball with the Silver Bullets NYC Elite and won back-to-back national championships in 2007 and last summer. As a student, Burner has a 3.1 GPA. "In Taylor we get a legitimate center who played on a two-time national AAU championship team and with a renowned high school program. She brings us an instant presence in the post, with her ability to score on the block and from the high post and in her ability to defend the paint. On top of that, she is a Long Island kid so we're really thrilled that she decided to stay home," Cherry said.

Currently a senior at Forest Park High School in Woodbridge, Va., the 5'11'' Gatling earned honorable mention all-state and all-area last season in the Cardinal District, arguably the most talented in the state of Virginia. Last season, she led her team to a 25-5 record and a berth in the Group AAA state final while playing along side three Division I commits. Gatling has a 3.5 GPA and was nominated for National Leadership Council. Gatling played her AAU basketball for the Fairfax Stars and earned all-area and all-state honors as an accomplished track and field competitor. "Gerda is a very gifted athlete who plays small forward. Her athleticism allows her to affect a game at both ends of the floor. Offensively, she is a slasher who can get out and run the floor as well as anyone. Defensively, she can really get after it. She can guard three positions and can force turnovers on and off the ball," Cherry said

Named a top player in the Patriot District by the Washington Post, Landers led her West Springfield High School team to the district championship final last season. A two-time captain, the 5'7'' point guard averaged 14.8 points per game last year and earned all-league and first team all-district honors. Landers has a 3.8 GPA and is a member of the Spanish and National Honor Societies. She played her AAU basketball for the Lessons Learned Hoops. "Sam Landers is a gym rat and a just a straight-up basketball player. She is a very heady point guard who can score or distribute and who has great instincts for the game. She will bring us depth in the backcourt and a basketball IQ that is off the charts," Cherry said.

Stony Brook opens the 2008-09 season at home vs. Quinnipiac on Friday, November 14 at 5 pm. For tickets and more information, please call (631) 632-WOLF.