Women's Basketball Adds Two Transfers
6/12/2023 10:19:00 AM | Women's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell head coach Trevor Woodruff has announced the additions of Ashley O'Connor and Sophia Sabino to the roster for the upcoming 2023-24 season. Both players spent last season at former Patriot League foe Fordham University.
"We are thrilled to have Ashley and Sophia join us," said head coach Trevor Woodruff. "Both come from high-level high school programs and playing in the Atlantic 10 has given them good experience. We can't wait to integrate them with the team and into our system. We are looking forward to great careers for both of them."
O'Connor, a guard, made her collegiate debut on November 10, 2022, against Saint Peter's. The Sea Bright, N.J. native made an impact across the stat sheet scoring two points, collecting two rebounds, blocking a shot, and grabbing a steal. She appeared in seven games and scored in every entry averaging 2.4 points on 50% shooting. O'Connor averaged just over three points per game in her three Atlantic 10 games. Overall, the guard witnessed 38 minutes of action.
O'Connor's high school accomplishments shine across the individual and team spectrum. During her sophomore year at Saint John Vianney, the Lancers won the Non-Public A State and Shore Conference championships. The team finished the season ranked #1 in New Jersey and 19th nationally. O'Connor notched Hoop Group Shore All-Defensive honors. Her junior year saw her nab All-Shore First Team and All-Defense as the Lancers repeated as conference champions. Serving as team captain during her senior year, the Lancers pierced the competition going 32-1, winning the Tournament of Champions, another state title, and finished the year ranked top-five nationally. O'Connor again landed All-Shore First Team honors and won Hoop Group Defensive Player of the Year with a litany of all-team honors.
Woodruff on O'Connor: "Ashley is an intelligent combo guard. She can play multiple positions for us. She changes us defensively and is an elite perimeter defender. Offensively, she can make plays and hit perimeter jump shots. I think she will make an impact in multiple positions, and I can't wait to see what she can do in the Patriot League.
Sabino, a guard, made her collegiate debut against Yale on November 7, 2022, after redshirting her first year. As befitting a guard, she distributed two assists and contributed a rebound. She totaled her first collegiate point against Saint Peter's by depositing a free throw. Sabino twice scored a career-high of six points against Wagner and Post. She finished the 2022-23 season averaging 1.9 points per game with 59 minutes played.
A four-year starter at Red Bank Catholic, she played a key role in the Caseys' success. She won All-Freshman team accolades while assisting the team to a division championship and a Hoop Group title. She smashed her school's single-season assists record as a sophomore. A defensive menace and an offensive facilitator, she earned Second Team in the division and Hoop Group as a junior when she averaged over six assists and three steals. Sabino served as captain during her senior year.
Sabino hails from a hoops-dominated family. Her older sisters all played collegiate basketball. Sam Sabino competed at Saint Francis University, Sydney hooped for Patriot League rival Lafayette, and Shaelyn plays for Ithaca University. Mother Tracey donned the colors of Monmouth University.
Woodruff on Sabino: "First battle for Sophia is to get healthy. She is coming off an injury, so we are excited to continue that rehab and hopefully get her back to full speed by the start of the regular season. She excels in transition. She gives us a playmaker at the point guard position, someone who can get in the lane and create terrific passes, and has great size for her position. She adds another dimension to our perimeter group.
The Bison are finalizing the schedule and will open the season in November.