TN's Tidbits: Corinne Coia signs URI letter of intent

November 10, 2010

Lincoln School hosted a press conference this morning for senior basketball star Corinne Coia, the 6-foot-4 center from North Smithfield. Corinne signed her letter of intent to attend the University of Rhode Island. Her parents, Jay and Corey, sat by her side and inked their names to the document as well.

Coia will play for URI coach Cathy Inglese, whose staff did a fine job scouting Coia, attending her games, and selling the youngster on the state school. Inglese had told this newspaper in early October that she would recruit from inside the state and this signing is evidence that she means what she says.

Lincoln School coach Christina Batastini-Sheehan, who played on a Final Four team at Stanford University back in 1997, thinks Inglese will recruit wherever she can find Division I talent. It just so happens that Coia, at 6-4 and 200 pounds, fits the bill. Christina envisions Coia as a low-post player but also mentions her senior center can run the floor. She is a good athlete. When you put size, strength and athletic talent in the same body, that makes for a Division I player.

So here's a salute to Corinne Coia, who has commuted from North Smithfield to Providence for more than two years and now reaps the benefits with a full ride to Kingston. Good luck from all of us here at The Call!