On to Chatham
BUTLER TWP — Morgan Gage considers herself a basketball junkie.
Now her love for the game is keeping her in the game.
The Butler senior guard signed a letter of intent recently to continue her academic and basketball career at Chatham University in Pittsburgh next year.
“I never thought this could happen until the (Chatham) coach approached me during AAU ball last year,” Gage said. “I made four visits to the school.
“I love Pittsburgh and the campus. The whole thing is a nice fit for me.”
Penn State-Behrend had expressed interest in Gage as well.
Gage is not a starter for the Golden Tornado. She is the second or third player off the bench for playoff-bound Butler and doesn't get a lot of minutes.
“It depends on the circumstances of the game and who our opponent is as to how much Morgan sees the floor,” Butler coach Mark Maier said.
But she has been playing AAU basketball for the 212 team based in Pittsburgh for a few years. Butler teammates Jenna Kunst, Alyssa Eyth and Mia Rader play for that team as well.
Kunst and Eyth are both headed to Mercyhurst University to play next season.
“I take no credit for any of these signings,” Maier said. “The hard work put in by these girls afforded them these opportunities.”
But Maier is particularly happy that Gage is extending her basketball career. She plans to study marketing at Chatham.
“You don't have to be a big star player in high school to find a place to play in college,” he said. “There are all kinds of opportunities available out there.
“If a kid wants to keep playing and is willing to work at it, that player can move on.”
Chatham is in its 25th year of women's basketball. The Cougars joined the Division III Presidents' Athletic Conference in 2007 and have managed one .500 season — 13-13 last year — in the program's history. Chatham is 4-17 so far this season.
Coach Sandy Rectenwald is in her seventh season and is 44-130 with the Cougars.
“My goal there is to play a lot and get honors academically,” Gage said. “It's a fairly new (basketball) program there and they're trying to build something positive. I'm looking forward to being a part of that.
“I've followed basketball for as long as I can remember. I watch the NBA and college basketball with my dad, have shot hoops in the driveway with him for years.”
Her 212 AAU team won two of the seven tournaments it competed in last season. The AAU campaign runs from April to July.
“I never get tired of playing,” Gage said.
“A basketball junkie, for sure,” Maier said, smiling. “It wouldn't surprise me if Morgan wound up coaching the game someday, in high school, college, wherever.
“One opportunity can lead to another. I'm glad she's taking this one.”
