KINGSTON, Ont. (April 9, 2012) – Queen's women's basketball head coach Dave Wilson is pleased to announce that post Nicole Morse of Cottam, Ont., has verbally committed to play for the Gaels starting in the 2012-13 season.

“I had the pleasure to work with Nicole one on one after a knee injury prevented her from taking part in our December ID/Training Camp.  It was clear that she had a solid skill set and the right work ethic," said Coach Wilson.  

"The opportunity to see her play in a game came three weeks later and  after a couple of possessions up and down the court, with the well-coached Windsor Valliant Club program, I was sold.  Nicole is a very physical player who does not shy away from contact.   She has good hands in traffic and a soft touch around the hoop.  That, combined with her passion for rebounding, will make her a valuable player in our program.”

Morse, a 6-foot post, began her playing career with the Kingsville Class before moving on to become a member of the Windsor Valiants JUEL team for the past two seasons. This season with her highschool team the Essex Red Raiders, Morse was named a first-team WECSSAA All-Star for her efforts. Her grade nine and 10 junior team also won their WECSSAA all-county championship titles.

“I chose Queen's because of the highly rated academics and the beautiful water front campus," said Morse on making Queen's her choice for academics and athletics. "I love the atmosphere and all the facilities that Queen's has to offer. I am also very excited for the opportunity to be able to grow and develop as a basketball player under Coach Wilson's guidance.”

Morse joins the Gaels 2012 recruiting class which already includes Robyn Pearson of Toronto, Ont.,  Laura Baker of West Vancouver, B.C. and Maria Gill of Holland Landing, Ont.