University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Coach Mock Signs a Promising Trio for 2017
11.17.2016 | Women's Basketball
"We are excited to announce the signing of three talented young ladies to a National Letter of Intent to play basketball and continue their education at UNC Asheville. With the anticipated graduation of our four seniors we know that our current underclassmen have to continue to get better and that we need a signing class that can come in and compete in this league right away. We have done just that with this group. They are capable, confident, and determined to be a part of establishing this program as a consistent contender in the Big South Conference. Armanii, Amaryah, and Juliet will also bring dynamic personalities to our team and this wonderful UNCÂ Asheville community. What impresses me most about these three is how much they want to be a part of the culture of excellence at UNC Asheville both on and off the court. I can hear it in their voices each time I speak with them on the phone. They are truly excited to be Bulldogs. My entire staff does an incredible job of identifying the right fits for our program and kudos to Coach Josh Petersen for coordinating our recruiting efforts. Â " Â
Amaryah Corpening - Freedom High School – Morganton, NC   5-6 Guard
"Amaryah Corpening is a great sign for us because she is a winner, a leader, and one of the hardest workers we saw on the court last season. It is a special opportunity when circumstances line up to sign local talent that can help you win ballgames. Coming out of Morganton, NC and playing for UNC Asheville soccer alum and basketball coach Amber Reddick at Freedom High School, this is a win-win. Amaryah is a point guard and a proven floor general who expects excellence from herself and her teammates every time she plays the game. We have always run two point guards in our offensive system and when Ja'Da Brayboy graduates Amaryah will fill a much needed void sliding into that role a long side Jessica Wall. I am looking forward to coaching someone with Amaryah's heart and her embodiment of our core values of love, work ethic and process."Â Â
After only three years in the high school ranks, Corpening has compiled quite the high school resume. Her junior year she was named to the 3A/4A All Tournament Team in North Carolina, as well as the 3A/4A All Conference Team. In the same season, she helped lead Freedom High School to a 32-0 record and a NCHSAA 3A State Championship. Off the court, Corpening is involved in a multitude of different academic arenas including, National Honor Society and Anchor Club.
Armanii Grice – Ridge View High School – Columbia, SC                              5-9 Guard
"Armanii Grice is a strong, athletic perimeter threat who can shoot the three, attack the basket and rebound with the best of them. She came to our team camp this past summer and I knew as soon as we watched her play in that setting that we had to have her in blue and white. She loves to compete and you can tell by watching her she is having a lot of fun doing what she loves. Armanii's competitiveness and drive shine through every time she is on the court and she will be a tough match-up. She is goal oriented and focused and will be a great asset to next year's team."Â
Armanii will bring the Bulldogs size at the guard spot and a vast amount of experience on the court. Grice is a four time All Region Player in the Columbia area and has steadily improved statistically in her first three years of high school. Her junior year, Grice averaged 15.2 ppg, 9 apg, & 5 rpg. Most recently, Armanii Grice was one of eight players named to the 2016-2017 SCBCA (South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association) Preseason Elite Girls Team. As a member of FCA, BETA Club, and the high school's drama club, Armanii is a well-rounded student as well as an exemplary athlete.
Juliet Esadah – Jones County Junior College – Ellisville, MS       6-0 Post
"Juliet Esadah will add depth and quickness to our post position. She has the versatility to play both the 4 and the 5 for us and will enhance our paint production on both ends of the floor. She is very mobile and should be able to help us in our full-court presses as well as in our transition offense with her ability to run the floor. Juliet is the first international player we have coached in the program since I have been the head coach and we are looking forward to have her perspective and experience. She is an astute learner and gives careful consideration to her decision making both on and off the court. Her care level for her teammates is very high and I appreciate the humility and graciousness she presents herself with every time I have been around her."Â
Juliet is a native of Warri, in the Delta region of Nigeria. She comes from a family of 11 children, 7 sisters and 4 brothers. Esadah came to the United States to complete her final two years of high school at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, TN. At Hamilton Heights, Juliet was able to not only elevate her game – climbing up the ESPN rankings, but she also elevated to the top of her class. Esadah graduated salutatorian or her class.
She is interested in studying economics at UNC Asheville, with the hopes of giving back to her country of Nigeria. Giving back is something that Juliet is already familiar with. She is a member of A2S (Access 2 Success) which is the basketball/educational program that brought Esadah to the States. Undoubtedly, her addition will strengthen the athleticism of the Bulldog's front court, and her personal values will be a reflection of our current team. Â
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Amaryah Corpening - Freedom High School – Morganton, NC   5-6 Guard
"Amaryah Corpening is a great sign for us because she is a winner, a leader, and one of the hardest workers we saw on the court last season. It is a special opportunity when circumstances line up to sign local talent that can help you win ballgames. Coming out of Morganton, NC and playing for UNC Asheville soccer alum and basketball coach Amber Reddick at Freedom High School, this is a win-win. Amaryah is a point guard and a proven floor general who expects excellence from herself and her teammates every time she plays the game. We have always run two point guards in our offensive system and when Ja'Da Brayboy graduates Amaryah will fill a much needed void sliding into that role a long side Jessica Wall. I am looking forward to coaching someone with Amaryah's heart and her embodiment of our core values of love, work ethic and process."Â Â
After only three years in the high school ranks, Corpening has compiled quite the high school resume. Her junior year she was named to the 3A/4A All Tournament Team in North Carolina, as well as the 3A/4A All Conference Team. In the same season, she helped lead Freedom High School to a 32-0 record and a NCHSAA 3A State Championship. Off the court, Corpening is involved in a multitude of different academic arenas including, National Honor Society and Anchor Club.
Armanii Grice – Ridge View High School – Columbia, SC                              5-9 Guard
"Armanii Grice is a strong, athletic perimeter threat who can shoot the three, attack the basket and rebound with the best of them. She came to our team camp this past summer and I knew as soon as we watched her play in that setting that we had to have her in blue and white. She loves to compete and you can tell by watching her she is having a lot of fun doing what she loves. Armanii's competitiveness and drive shine through every time she is on the court and she will be a tough match-up. She is goal oriented and focused and will be a great asset to next year's team."Â
Armanii will bring the Bulldogs size at the guard spot and a vast amount of experience on the court. Grice is a four time All Region Player in the Columbia area and has steadily improved statistically in her first three years of high school. Her junior year, Grice averaged 15.2 ppg, 9 apg, & 5 rpg. Most recently, Armanii Grice was one of eight players named to the 2016-2017 SCBCA (South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association) Preseason Elite Girls Team. As a member of FCA, BETA Club, and the high school's drama club, Armanii is a well-rounded student as well as an exemplary athlete.
Juliet Esadah – Jones County Junior College – Ellisville, MS       6-0 Post
"Juliet Esadah will add depth and quickness to our post position. She has the versatility to play both the 4 and the 5 for us and will enhance our paint production on both ends of the floor. She is very mobile and should be able to help us in our full-court presses as well as in our transition offense with her ability to run the floor. Juliet is the first international player we have coached in the program since I have been the head coach and we are looking forward to have her perspective and experience. She is an astute learner and gives careful consideration to her decision making both on and off the court. Her care level for her teammates is very high and I appreciate the humility and graciousness she presents herself with every time I have been around her."Â
Juliet is a native of Warri, in the Delta region of Nigeria. She comes from a family of 11 children, 7 sisters and 4 brothers. Esadah came to the United States to complete her final two years of high school at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, TN. At Hamilton Heights, Juliet was able to not only elevate her game – climbing up the ESPN rankings, but she also elevated to the top of her class. Esadah graduated salutatorian or her class.
She is interested in studying economics at UNC Asheville, with the hopes of giving back to her country of Nigeria. Giving back is something that Juliet is already familiar with. She is a member of A2S (Access 2 Success) which is the basketball/educational program that brought Esadah to the States. Undoubtedly, her addition will strengthen the athleticism of the Bulldog's front court, and her personal values will be a reflection of our current team. Â
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