BGSU signees (left to right) Kadie Hempfling, Morgan McMillen & Sydney Palermo
Roos, Falcons Sign Three to National Letters of Intent
November 09, 2017 | Women's Basketball
Hempfling, McMillen & Palermo to join BGSU in 2018-19 academic year
Bowling Green State University women's basketball coach Jennifer Roos has announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Kadie Hempfling (Ottawa, Ohio), Morgan McMillen (Berlin, Ohio) and Sydney Palermo (Erie, Pa.) will join the Falcon program for the 2018-19 academic year.
BGSU SIGNEES PHOTO GALLERY
All three of the signees have helped their high-school teams make deep state tournament runs in the last two years. All three schools have advanced to the state championship game at least once during that two-year span.
In the classroom, all three student-athletes have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. Two of the three have a GPA higher than 3.6, with one maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.
"Our program is very proud to announce the signing class of 2018," Roos said. "This class brings a strong work ethic, championship playing experience and a true passion for the game. The experience that each have gained with their respective high-school coaches and AAU programs is second to none.
"In addition, their leadership skill sets are highly advanced, and they have been put in position to lead within their high school programs. These three signees, along with their families, will be great representatives of Bowling Green State University and the community."
Hempfling, a 5-9 guard, is currently in her senior season at Ottawa-Glandorf H.S., under coach Troy Yant. She is a two-time All-Ohio selection, having been named to the Division II first team last season after earning second-team all-state honors the previous year. Last season, she averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game in leading the Titans to the state semifinals. As a sophomore, Hempfling had 15.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg and 3.4 apg as O-G advanced to the Division II state final. She is a two-time Western Buckeye League Player of the Year. The Titans have posted a 79-7 overall record and have won three-straight regional titles in Hempfling's career to date. She has played AAU ball for Score More Athletic Club (SMAC).
"Kadie has an extremely high basketball I.Q. and has played every position on the floor in her young career," said Roos. "Her toughness and tenacity, along with the ability to score the basketball, will make her a tough matchup for other defenders."
McMillen, a 5-9 guard, is in her senior season at Berlin Hiland H.S., playing for coach Dave Schlabach. Last season, she helped the Hawks to a 29-1 record and a state championship in Division IV. McMillen, who averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists, was named to the All-Ohio Third Team. She also earned all-district, all-region and all-conference (Inter-Valley Conference) first-team honors. In 2016, McMillen was invited to the trials for the 2016 USA Basketball Women's U17 World Championship Team. She has played AAU ball for Sports City U.
"Morgan's play has been recognized at the national level with her invite to the USA trials, and she is an OHSAA state champion," said Roos. "She is a tireless worker who loves to compete, and she knows the value of hard work. Morgan will have the ability to impact the game in multiple statistical categories."
Palermo, a 6-2 forward, is a senior at Villa Maria Academy, and plays for coach Dough Chuzie. Entering her fourth year as a starter, Palermo has helped the Victors to the state championship game in each of the last two seasons. In her sophomore campaign, the team won 29-straight games before suffering a loss in the Class 3A state title game. Last year, Villa Maria went 22-6 with a Region 4 championship, a District 10 Class 4A championship and another PIAA runner-up finish. Palermo, playing with four other Division-I players, averaged 7.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game and earned all-region honors last season. A National Honor Society member, she has played AAU ball for the Erie Saints.
"Sydney will bring a strong low post presence along with three-point shooting range," said Roos. "She played a pivotal role in her high school's state championship run last season. She is extremely coachable, and we are very fortunate to have her play for us."
The Falcons have 14 student-athletes, including two seniors – Rachel Myers and Haley Puk – on the 2017-18 roster. BGSU posted a 92-62 win over Seton Hill University on Sunday (Nov. 5), in the team's lone exhibition game, and the Falcons open the '17-18 regular-season campaign on Friday evening (Nov. 10). BGSU hosts Eastern Kentucky University in a 5:30 p.m. tipoff at the Stroh Center.
BGSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SIGNEES
Kadie Hempfling 5-9 G Ottawa, Ohio (Ottawa-Glandorf)
Morgan McMillen 5-9 G Berlin, Ohio (Hiland)
Sydney Palermo  6-2 F Erie, Pa. (Villa Maria Academy)
BGSU SIGNEES PHOTO GALLERY
All three of the signees have helped their high-school teams make deep state tournament runs in the last two years. All three schools have advanced to the state championship game at least once during that two-year span.
In the classroom, all three student-athletes have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. Two of the three have a GPA higher than 3.6, with one maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.
"Our program is very proud to announce the signing class of 2018," Roos said. "This class brings a strong work ethic, championship playing experience and a true passion for the game. The experience that each have gained with their respective high-school coaches and AAU programs is second to none.
"In addition, their leadership skill sets are highly advanced, and they have been put in position to lead within their high school programs. These three signees, along with their families, will be great representatives of Bowling Green State University and the community."
Hempfling, a 5-9 guard, is currently in her senior season at Ottawa-Glandorf H.S., under coach Troy Yant. She is a two-time All-Ohio selection, having been named to the Division II first team last season after earning second-team all-state honors the previous year. Last season, she averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game in leading the Titans to the state semifinals. As a sophomore, Hempfling had 15.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg and 3.4 apg as O-G advanced to the Division II state final. She is a two-time Western Buckeye League Player of the Year. The Titans have posted a 79-7 overall record and have won three-straight regional titles in Hempfling's career to date. She has played AAU ball for Score More Athletic Club (SMAC).
"Kadie has an extremely high basketball I.Q. and has played every position on the floor in her young career," said Roos. "Her toughness and tenacity, along with the ability to score the basketball, will make her a tough matchup for other defenders."
McMillen, a 5-9 guard, is in her senior season at Berlin Hiland H.S., playing for coach Dave Schlabach. Last season, she helped the Hawks to a 29-1 record and a state championship in Division IV. McMillen, who averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists, was named to the All-Ohio Third Team. She also earned all-district, all-region and all-conference (Inter-Valley Conference) first-team honors. In 2016, McMillen was invited to the trials for the 2016 USA Basketball Women's U17 World Championship Team. She has played AAU ball for Sports City U.
"Morgan's play has been recognized at the national level with her invite to the USA trials, and she is an OHSAA state champion," said Roos. "She is a tireless worker who loves to compete, and she knows the value of hard work. Morgan will have the ability to impact the game in multiple statistical categories."
Palermo, a 6-2 forward, is a senior at Villa Maria Academy, and plays for coach Dough Chuzie. Entering her fourth year as a starter, Palermo has helped the Victors to the state championship game in each of the last two seasons. In her sophomore campaign, the team won 29-straight games before suffering a loss in the Class 3A state title game. Last year, Villa Maria went 22-6 with a Region 4 championship, a District 10 Class 4A championship and another PIAA runner-up finish. Palermo, playing with four other Division-I players, averaged 7.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game and earned all-region honors last season. A National Honor Society member, she has played AAU ball for the Erie Saints.
"Sydney will bring a strong low post presence along with three-point shooting range," said Roos. "She played a pivotal role in her high school's state championship run last season. She is extremely coachable, and we are very fortunate to have her play for us."
The Falcons have 14 student-athletes, including two seniors – Rachel Myers and Haley Puk – on the 2017-18 roster. BGSU posted a 92-62 win over Seton Hill University on Sunday (Nov. 5), in the team's lone exhibition game, and the Falcons open the '17-18 regular-season campaign on Friday evening (Nov. 10). BGSU hosts Eastern Kentucky University in a 5:30 p.m. tipoff at the Stroh Center.
BGSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SIGNEES
Kadie Hempfling 5-9 G Ottawa, Ohio (Ottawa-Glandorf)
Morgan McMillen 5-9 G Berlin, Ohio (Hiland)
Sydney Palermo  6-2 F Erie, Pa. (Villa Maria Academy)
Players Mentioned
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