We’ve spent time honoring our seniors over the course of the last semester – now it’s time to start getting to know the newcomers, the Class of 2024! We’ll take a team-by-team look at our first-year students throughout the coming weeks, from the Fall athletes who will be making the varsity debuts later in 2021 to the Spring players that we will keep our fingers crossed about seeing in action later this semester.

We continue our New To The Judges’ Bench feature with women’s basketball!

ASHLEY AMBROSINO – 5-5 – G – MENDON, MASSACHUSETTS – PUTNAM SCIENCE ACADEMY

• Played for the Mustangs for five years, plus was a four-year member of the soccer team
• Planned Major: Biology
• Think that attracted me to Brandeis: To be able to get a great education as well as play basketball at a high level
• Favorite place on campus outside of Gosman: Dunkin’ Donuts
• Favorite place to travel: Hawaii
• I hope to study abroad because: I want to experience other cultures
• Dream job: Physical therapist
• Favorite movie: Rush Hour
• Most memorable sports moment: Malcolm Butler’s interception at the goal line against the Seahawks to win Superbowl XLIX for the Patriots
• Favorite emoji: 
• COACH SIMON: Ashley brings grit and determination to the guard position, with the skills to play the point and off the ball as well. She’s a disciplined defender and has already shown the ability to be a consistent contributor.

MACY ARSENAULT – 5-3 – G – BERLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE – HOLDERNESS SCHOOL

• Four-year starter for the Bulls at shooting guard, including captain as a junior and senior
• Helped Holderness to New England Preparatory School Athletic Conference titles in 2018 and 2019
• Also played field hockey for three years, winning a NEPSAC title as a junior
• Planned Major: Education
• Favorite high school memories: Winning the NEPSAC Championship for two years in a row.
• Favorite high school class: Advanced History of the West, a combination of AP Euro and AP US. The class was my favorite since it allowed me to understand and make connections in history between events happening in both Europe and America.
• Activity that helped get through the pandemic: Working out, specifically lifting and shooting hoops
• Dream job: Elementary school teacher, because I love kids and want to make an impact in their lives.
• Favorite Book: Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Greg Boyle
• COACH SIMON: Macy is a tireless worker who has already demonstrated strong leadership skills. In addition to being a very good 3-point shooter, she’s a heady player with a very good basketball IQ and makes good decisions with the ball in her hands.

CHRISTINA BACON – 5-9 – F – SCITUATE, RHODE ISLAND – LASALLE ACADEMY

• Three-year starter and senior captain for LaSalle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island
• Helped the Rams win two Rhode Island State championships in her career
• Was a McDonald's All-American nominee in 2020, earning All-Division honors in the process
• Also ran the 400-meters and competed in the high jump for the track and field team
• Planned Major: Business
• Favorite Athletic Moment: Winning the State Championship as a junior after losing in the Final Four the year before
• Favorite High School Class: My sophomore English class, because my teacher made the class very interesting and he also taught us a lot about the real world and life
• The thing that attracted me to Brandeis: the rigorous academics and the competitive conference that also allows us to travel
• Activity that has helped me get through the pandemic: Taking my dog for walks
• Favorite place to travel: The Bahamas
• Most recent summer job: Coaching basketball to middle school girls
• Favorite Move: The Hangover
• Favorite TV Show: The New Girl
• Favorite Song: Love Like Crazy by Lee Bryce
• Favorite pro team: the New England Patriots
• COACH SIMON: Christina brings a mixture of strength and versatility to the post position. She’s capable of scoring in the paint, and also has the ability to step out to the perimeter and shoot and drive the ball effectively.

  SELENYA GOMEZ – 5-6 – G – SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS – SPRINGFIELD CENTRAL

• Spent freshman and sophomore years of high school at Chicopee Comprehensive High School before moving to Springfield Central as a junior
• Played a postgraduate year at Pomfret School in Connecticut
• Played for three Western Massachusetts champions and in two state championship games in her career
• A 1,000-point scorer who was twice named All-Western Massachusetts by MassLive and earned All-New England Prep School Athletic Conference honors in her postgrad year
• Planned majors: Business / Sociology
• Favorite High School moments: Becoming a Massachusetts Division 1 state finalist two years in a row
• Favorite High School Class: Modern Africa, because I was interested in learning about the development of Africa and how places around the world have influenced or hindered its growth
• The thing that attracted me to Brandeis: the quality of education in a smaller community
• Favorite Movie: Déjà vu
• Favorite TV Show: Victorious
• Favorite Song: Rose In Harlem by Teyana Taylor
• Performer who would play me in the story of my life: Yara Shahidi
• If I could time travel, the era I would go to: the 1990s. I love ‘90s fashion and I would love to witness the rise of hip hop.
• Favorite athlete: Simone Biles
• Most memorable sports moment: going to the Basketball Hall of Fame induction in 2011 and meeting Dennis Rodman
• Dream Final Jeopardy! Categories: History or Sports
• COACH SIMON: In one word: competitor! Sel brings intensity on both ends of the floor and has the ability to be a disruptive force on defense. She’s a playmaker who thrives in our up-tempo system and is a threat to score from anywhere on the floor. 

LAUREN MIRSKY – 5-11 – F – OCEAN CITY, NEW JERSEY – OCEAN CITY

• Three-sport standout at Ocean City High School in New Jersey, playing soccer and tennis in addition to basketball
• Helped the Raiders win two Cape Atlantic League titles, three South Jersey championships
• Played in two N.J. State Tournament championship games
• Planned major: Undecided
• Favorite high school moments: Beating Mainland for 3 south jersey championships, and appearing in 2 state finals
• Favorite high school class: Chemistry
• Favorite place to travel: Disneyworld
• I want to study abroad in: France
• Dream job: Business owner
• Favorite Movie: Catch Me If You Can
• Favorite TV Show: Breaking Bad
• Favorite Song: Say So by Doja Cat
• Favorite Book: Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
• Performer who would play me in the story of my life: Kate Hudson
• Favorite College Team: Duke Basketball, because of Zion Williamson
• More Memorable Pro moment: The Philadelphia Eagles winning the Super Bowl
• Dream Final Jeopardy! Category: Adam Sandler Movies
• Favorite Emoji: Fire
• COACH SIMON: Lauren is a mobile, athletic post who does a lot of things well. She’s a hard-nosed player who competes with tenacity for rebounds She is definitely is a spark plug for our transition game.

CASEY PERRY – 5-11 – F – MILTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE – MARSHWOOD (MAINE)

• Four-year letter-winner in both soccer and basketball at Marshwood High School in Maine, serving as captain of both as a senior
• Named the Hawks’ Female Athlete of the Year for 2019-20
• Named the MVP of the Maine Class A South tournament after leading Marshwood to a state title in 2020
• Earned Seacoast Player of the Year honors as a senior
• Two-time All-State selection, as a sophomore and senior
• Planned Major: Biology
• Favorite High School Memory: Winning the state championship in basketball my senior year.
• Favorite High School Class: Chemistry
• Favorite place to travel: Jamaica
• Something I am looking forward to doing at Brandeis besides basketball: Intramural soccer and volleyball
• Dream job: Orthopedic surgeon
• Favorite movie: Step Brothers
• Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds
• Favorite Song: Y.O.U. by Luh Kel
• Performer who would play me in the story of my life: Margot Robbie
• If I could time travel, the era I would go to would be: the 1980’s, because it seems like fun
• Favorite pro team: Boston Celtics
• COACH SIMON: Casey brings athleticism, poise, and a driving work ethic to the post position. She’s an active and aggressive defender who rebounds with authority. On the offensive end, she runs the floor extremely well and will put a lot of pressure on the opponent’s transition defense.