Secaucus’ girls basketball star Julia McClure verbally committed to Wagner College in Staten Island after she made a visit to the school Saturday and attended one of the women’s team practices.
McClure was immediately impressed with the intensity of Wagner head coach Lisa Cermignano’s practices.
“I went to a practice and I saw that they worked hard the whole time, they were really talking and communicating with each other. It was just an environment I wanted to be in, ” McClure said.
Wagner offered McClure a full scholarship, and she said she already knows how the Division 1 Seahawks plan to use her.
Cermignano wants to see McClure use the same physical and versatile style she’s become known for at Secaucus High School.
“I’ll be like a strong 3-4 guard and everything like I do here, the hard work, I’ll be doing there, ” she said. “I’m comfortable there.”
McClure led the Patriots in scoring last season, averaging 13.9 points per game.
But Secaucus head coach John Sterling believes that McClure’s contribution to Wagner will go beyond her play on the court.
“Whether she starts or comes off the bench, she is going to be one heck of a practice player for (Wagner), ” Sterling said.
“She’s going to make everybody on the team better just because of the intensity of which she plays the game.”
No matter how McClure is used at the next level, she is already ecstatic at the idea of playing at Wagner.
For her, playing basketball at a Division I program will be a dream come true.
“I’m so excited, my dream was always to play Division I, and I’m glad I’m able to (realize it) now, ” she said.
