VESTAL, N.Y. – The Binghamton women's basketball program has announced the signing of four high school standouts as part of the National Letter of Intent (NLI) Early Signing Period. All four players will join the Bearcat program as freshmen next fall.
 
"Within this dynamic group of incoming freshmen, all of them bring a little something different to the table that will impact our program immediately," head coach Bethann Shapiro Ord said. "They all are high-character individuals who have a blue-collar work ethic and grit to be successful on and off the court. We talk about culture every day and these young ladies embody everything Binghamton Women's Basketball is about - Family, Excellence, Community and Passion for Success." 
 
Bella Pucci (Fairport, N.Y.) is a 5-8 guard from Fairport High School. As a junior, she averaged 19 points per game and was named fifth-team all-state by the New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA) at the Class AA level. A New York State (NYS) Section V All-Star, Pucci has twice been named to the All-Greater Rochester (AGR) first team and has been named all-county three times.
 
At the AAU level, Pucci's team is I-90 Elite.
 
"Bella is a tough competitor on the floor," Shapiro Ord said. "As a versatile guard that can handle the ball, distribute to teammates, and create for herself, Bella will be a natural leader for us on and off the court." 
 
In addition, Pucci has been named all-county three times in women's soccer at Fairport. During her career, she has scored 67 goals.
 
In the classroom, Pucci has received a pair of English F Awards, which are awarded to students who exemplify high integrity in the classroom, maintain good grades, and show dignity for all students.
 
Yanniah Boyd (Frederick, Md.) is a 5-11 guard from Riverdale Baptist High School. She has been ranked among the Top 20 prep players in the state of Maryland as well as the Top-10 wing players.
 
Boyd's AAU teams are the Germantown Lady Panthers and Fairfax Stars.
 
"Yanniah is an explosive athlete with the ability to breakdown off the bounce and pull up on a dime," Shapiro Ord said. "She will create nightmares on both ends of the floor with her length, speed, and athleticism."
 
Boyd has been a straight-A student her entire academic career and in 2019, she was the recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Award. That honor is given to one student from each public school in Frederick County (FCPS) and is based upon positive leadership qualities that are characteristic of Dr. King and exhibit FCPS' "Character Counts" pillars of responsibility, caring, fairness, trustworthiness, citizenship and respect.
 
Kendall Bennett (Elkins Park, Pa.) is a 6-2 post player from Germantown Academy. She is a two-time Interac-Academic Athletic League all-star (IAAL) and led her team to the 2022 IAAL title with an undefeated league season. Bennett holds the Germantown Academy record for the most points scored in a game (43) and was named the program's Most Outstanding Offensive Player in 2022.
 
Bennett's AAU team is Philly Rise EYBL.
 
"Kendall is a high-motor, hybrid post player whose length and athleticism will bring our up-tempo style of play to the next level," Shapiro Ord said.
 
Kaylee Krysztof (Cheektowaga, N.Y.) is a 5-9 guard from DePew High School. As a junior, she was a first-team Class B NYSSWA all-state selection. Krysztof was also the 2022 ECIC III Player of the Year, a first team All-Western New York (WNY) pick and was chosen to the first-team All-Bee squad.
 
Krysztof is in the NYSWAA record book for the most three-point field goals in a game (10 during the 2017-18 season) and three pointers in a season (78 during the 2021-22 campaign).
 
At the AAU level, Krysztof plays for I-90 Elite.
 
"Kaylee is automatic from beyond the arc," Shapiro Ord said. "With her knock-down jumper and ability to score at all levels, Kaylee will give us an automatic mismatch advantage on the court."
 
Krysztof is a member of the National Honor Society and has been her class Vice President since the eighth grade.
 
Binghamton hosts Army at home on Thursday at 7 p.m.
 
NOTE: Pucci is pronounced "POOH-chee", Yanniah is pronounced "Jih-NIE-uh" and Krysztof is pronounced "CHRIS-toff".