Eastern Michigan Athletics
Women's Basketball Announces Recruiting Class
11/8/2017 10:49:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Eagles signed four high school seniors to NLI's
Signing Day Video
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Second-year Eastern Michigan University Women's Basketball Head Coach Fred Castro announced the signing of four high school seniors to National Letters of Intent Wednesday, Nov. 8, two days ahead of EMU's 2017-18 season opener. The Eagles inked Jenna Annecchiarico (Baldwin, N.Y.-Baldwin), Natalia Pineda (Miami, Fla.-John A. Ferguson), Makenna Drabick (North Canton, Ohio-Hoover), and Kiara Johnson (Tonawonda, N.Y.-Cardinal O'Hara).
"This is an exciting day for our program as we add these four talented student-athletes," Castro said. "The common denominator with this group is that they all come from winning programs, they are ultra competitive, and all love Eastern Michigan. I want to thank my staff for working so hard to evaluate and recruit this special group. Abi Olajuwon, our recruiting coordinator, did a masterful job executing our recruiting game plan which helps position our program to compete for championships in coming years."
A well-rounded guard, Annechiarico is a four-year letterwinner and three-time captain for Baldwin High School. The 5-foot-5 guard led the Bruins to three consecutive Nassau AA championships and a New York State Championship, and has shown the ability to be a game-changer at both point and shooting guard. As a junior, Annechiarico averaged 15.9 points, 2.8 steals, and 2.5 assists per game.
"We are thrilled to add a point guard of Jenna's caliber," Castro added. "Jenna is the ultimate competitor. I have seen her will her teams to victory because of her relentless effort. She comes from winning high school and AAU programs, where she won championships and has been mentored by Tom Catapano."
According to Dan Olson of the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and espnW hoopgurlz, Annechiarico is a "valuable signee for Eastern Michigan. A leader, tough, competitive, and unselfish. A capable offensive weapon in the back court."
Hailing from Miami, Fla., Pineda is a 5-foot-9 guard out of the Sunshine State. A three-year letterwinner and two-time captain at John A. Ferguson High School, Pineda can stretch the floor with her ability to knock down shots from the perimeter. A two-time All-Dade County selection, Pineda's career-high 52 points sits as the Ferguson record for points in a single game. The South Florida native has been recognized as the 2017 Miami Herald 9A-7A Girl's Basketball Player of the Year, is a multiple Art Turner Player of the Game honoree as awarded by BlueStar Media, and has garnered several other distinctions while leading the Falcons to a pair of district championships, two state runner-up finishes, and multiple GMAC Championships.
"Natalia comes to us from Ferguson High School in Miami, Fla. where she has competed in the state finals and rewritten her high school's record book in points and wins," Castro stated. "Natalia is a big guard that can shoot with range and attack the rim because of her athleticism. She will fit in perfectly in our dribble-drive offense moving forward."
Dan Olson of the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and espnW hoopgurlz, recognizes Pineda as " a combo-guard with mid-range skills and a capable ball handler versus pressure."
Drabick is a 5-foot-9 guard from North Canton, Ohio. A decorated high school player, Drabick is a three-year letterwinner out of Hoover High School. A two-time All-Federal League selection, Drabick also reeled in all-county honors twice. A Third Team All-Ohio selection as a junior, Drabick led the Vikings to a Sweet 16 appearance and recorded the third-most rebounds in single-season history.
"Makenna came to our elite camp a year ago and made an immediate impression on our staff and players," Castro recalled. "Makenna is a physical lefty that can shoot the three and carry defenders to the rim. Like her Hoover High School team, she is tough nosed and competes every second she is on the floor."
A 6-foot-2 forward out of Tonawanda, N.Y., Johnson preps at Cardinal O'Hara where she is a four-year letterwinner. Johson was named Second Team All-Catholic League as a junior after averaging 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.
"Kiara is one of the few true back-to-the-basket post players in the 2018 class," Castro said. "She loves to be on the block and bully opponents with her physical presence. In addition to her strength, Kiara also posses a nice touch from the perimeter, which makes her a tough match up. We could not be happier to add the New York talent."
Dan Olson of the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and espnW hoopgurlz lists Johson as "a versatile post prospect that brings a front court defensive presence and capable offensive game."
Eastern Michigan officially opens the season Friday, Nov. 10, against Florida A&M University in the second leg of an Education Day doubleheader with the EMU men's basketball team. Tipoff is scheduled for approximately 1 p.m. inside the Convocation Center.
2017 EMU Women's Basketball Recruiting Class
What People Are Saying About EMU's 2018 Recruiting Class
"With the addition of these four prospects, Castro and his staff have put together a class who can pay immediate dividends upon their arrival to Ypsilanti next fall. The class addresses need in every aspect of the game from ball handling and perimeter scoring to front-court depth. Castro's 2018 class has emerged as one of the premier mid-major college recruiting hauls in the nation."
Brandon Clay, Owner of BrandonClayScouting.com / ProspectsNation.com
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Second-year Eastern Michigan University Women's Basketball Head Coach Fred Castro announced the signing of four high school seniors to National Letters of Intent Wednesday, Nov. 8, two days ahead of EMU's 2017-18 season opener. The Eagles inked Jenna Annecchiarico (Baldwin, N.Y.-Baldwin), Natalia Pineda (Miami, Fla.-John A. Ferguson), Makenna Drabick (North Canton, Ohio-Hoover), and Kiara Johnson (Tonawonda, N.Y.-Cardinal O'Hara).
"This is an exciting day for our program as we add these four talented student-athletes," Castro said. "The common denominator with this group is that they all come from winning programs, they are ultra competitive, and all love Eastern Michigan. I want to thank my staff for working so hard to evaluate and recruit this special group. Abi Olajuwon, our recruiting coordinator, did a masterful job executing our recruiting game plan which helps position our program to compete for championships in coming years."
A well-rounded guard, Annechiarico is a four-year letterwinner and three-time captain for Baldwin High School. The 5-foot-5 guard led the Bruins to three consecutive Nassau AA championships and a New York State Championship, and has shown the ability to be a game-changer at both point and shooting guard. As a junior, Annechiarico averaged 15.9 points, 2.8 steals, and 2.5 assists per game.
"We are thrilled to add a point guard of Jenna's caliber," Castro added. "Jenna is the ultimate competitor. I have seen her will her teams to victory because of her relentless effort. She comes from winning high school and AAU programs, where she won championships and has been mentored by Tom Catapano."
According to Dan Olson of the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and espnW hoopgurlz, Annechiarico is a "valuable signee for Eastern Michigan. A leader, tough, competitive, and unselfish. A capable offensive weapon in the back court."
Hailing from Miami, Fla., Pineda is a 5-foot-9 guard out of the Sunshine State. A three-year letterwinner and two-time captain at John A. Ferguson High School, Pineda can stretch the floor with her ability to knock down shots from the perimeter. A two-time All-Dade County selection, Pineda's career-high 52 points sits as the Ferguson record for points in a single game. The South Florida native has been recognized as the 2017 Miami Herald 9A-7A Girl's Basketball Player of the Year, is a multiple Art Turner Player of the Game honoree as awarded by BlueStar Media, and has garnered several other distinctions while leading the Falcons to a pair of district championships, two state runner-up finishes, and multiple GMAC Championships.
"Natalia comes to us from Ferguson High School in Miami, Fla. where she has competed in the state finals and rewritten her high school's record book in points and wins," Castro stated. "Natalia is a big guard that can shoot with range and attack the rim because of her athleticism. She will fit in perfectly in our dribble-drive offense moving forward."
Dan Olson of the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and espnW hoopgurlz, recognizes Pineda as " a combo-guard with mid-range skills and a capable ball handler versus pressure."
Drabick is a 5-foot-9 guard from North Canton, Ohio. A decorated high school player, Drabick is a three-year letterwinner out of Hoover High School. A two-time All-Federal League selection, Drabick also reeled in all-county honors twice. A Third Team All-Ohio selection as a junior, Drabick led the Vikings to a Sweet 16 appearance and recorded the third-most rebounds in single-season history.
"Makenna came to our elite camp a year ago and made an immediate impression on our staff and players," Castro recalled. "Makenna is a physical lefty that can shoot the three and carry defenders to the rim. Like her Hoover High School team, she is tough nosed and competes every second she is on the floor."
A 6-foot-2 forward out of Tonawanda, N.Y., Johnson preps at Cardinal O'Hara where she is a four-year letterwinner. Johson was named Second Team All-Catholic League as a junior after averaging 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.
"Kiara is one of the few true back-to-the-basket post players in the 2018 class," Castro said. "She loves to be on the block and bully opponents with her physical presence. In addition to her strength, Kiara also posses a nice touch from the perimeter, which makes her a tough match up. We could not be happier to add the New York talent."
Dan Olson of the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and espnW hoopgurlz lists Johson as "a versatile post prospect that brings a front court defensive presence and capable offensive game."
Eastern Michigan officially opens the season Friday, Nov. 10, against Florida A&M University in the second leg of an Education Day doubleheader with the EMU men's basketball team. Tipoff is scheduled for approximately 1 p.m. inside the Convocation Center.
2017 EMU Women's Basketball Recruiting Class
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Cl. | Hometown-High School |
| Jenna Annecchiarico | G | 5-5 | Fr. | Baldwin, N.Y.-Baldwin |
| Makenna Drabick | G | 5-9 | Fr. | North Canton, Ohio-Hoover |
| Kiara Johnson | F | 6-2 | Fr. | Tonawonda, N.Y.-Cardinal O'Hara |
| Natalia Pineda | G | 5-9 | Fr. | Miami, Fla.-John A. Ferguson |
What People Are Saying About EMU's 2018 Recruiting Class
"With the addition of these four prospects, Castro and his staff have put together a class who can pay immediate dividends upon their arrival to Ypsilanti next fall. The class addresses need in every aspect of the game from ball handling and perimeter scoring to front-court depth. Castro's 2018 class has emerged as one of the premier mid-major college recruiting hauls in the nation."
Brandon Clay, Owner of BrandonClayScouting.com / ProspectsNation.com
That time of year again!🔒😤
Thursday, December 18
Women's Basketball Highlights at Indiana, Dec. 14, 2025
Sunday, December 14
Ainhoa Cea 500 Career Points Highlight
Wednesday, December 10
Women's Basketball Cinematic Recap against Duquesne
Tuesday, December 09