The Marshalltown Community College women's basketball team received two National Letters of Intent on Friday afternoon as head coach Steve Garber inked commitments from Megan Wanatee of South Tama and JeAnn Hiraldo of Ames High School.
After graduating from South Tama County High School in 2013, Wanatee played for the NAIA Grand View Vikings during the first semester of the 2013-14 season. In a Nov. 7 meeting, Wanatee started and scored two points to go along with three assists and three rebounds against MCC.
"I'm really excited for the opportunity to play at Marshalltown," said Wanatee, a former high school teammate of current MCC women's basketball player Kaleigh Sieck. "Kaleigh and I have played together for a very long time. It'll be good to get back on the court with her."
Hiraldo joins the Tiger program after spending one year at Ames High School. Hiraldo, a native of Texas, helped lead the Little Cyclones to a 16-8 mark in 2013-14, including a division-best 5-1 record for head coach Joel Sullivan.
"Coach Garber really opened my eyes to what could happen for my future," Hiraldo expressed. "Being close to home and having the small-school feel also helped in my decision to become a Tiger."
Garber looked to both signees as potential impact players for the Tigers next season. "JeAnn is a very bright girl who has untapped potential, and her size is a very good sign for that potential. She'll have some flexibility to play multiple roles down low, an area that we need to fill."
On Wanatee's role for the Tigers, Garber noted the point guard instincts that the former Trojan possesses. "Megan has that point guard mentality that we need. She'll help us stabilize that role on both ends of the court for us. With her college experience, she has the ability to provide a leadership role."
The Tigers lost four players from the 2013-14 squad that went 18-12 under first-year head coach Garber, including two primary starters.
