Northern Michigan University head coach Casey Thousand watches the Wildcats play Saginaw Valley State during their GLIAC women’s basketball game played at Vandament Arena in Marquette on Jan. 18. (Photo courtesy of Cara Kamps)

MARQUETTE — Head women’s basketball coach Casey Thousand of Northern Michigan University has announced that a half-dozen high school students have signed national letters of intent to become Wildcats players for the 2026-27 season.

Taylor Gifford, Adysen Fanta, Alli Jirsa, Izzy Ivezaj, Teagan Schoenecker and Claire VanDamme will join the Northern program a year from now.

“We are absolutely thrilled about our incoming 2026 recruiting class,” Thousand said in an NMU Sports Information news release about the announcement. “Each of these young women embodies the values that define our program, and we can’t wait to watch them grow as individuals and teammates.

“They represent a talented and well-rounded group from across the Midwest region, and we are confident they will make a positive impact within our team while continuing to build our culture of excellence.”

The group includes one player from the Lower Peninsula, three from Wisconsin and one each from Illinois and Ohio.

Here are brief sketches of each:

Taylor Gifford — 6-foot forward, from Waukesha, Wisconsin, West High School. She is a versatile forward averaging 12.6 points and 7.8 rebounds a game last season. Twice named Second Team all-conference and earned a spot on the Classic 8 All-Defensive Team. Also twice honored with a Scholar-Athlete Award.

Adysen Fanta — 5-9 guard, from Downers Grove, Illinois, North H.S. She averaged 7.8 ppg and 3.9 rebounds, earning West Suburban Silver all-conference honors, along with DuPage County All-Area honorable mention. She was on a team that won two regional championships and a West Suburban Silver Conference title.

Off-court, she is involved in leadership and service — served as head ambassador for Morgan’s Message, was her yearbook editor-in-chief and National Honor Society member. She has been involved in student council and community outreach initiatives, including Pretty in Purple, Lights of Love and American Heart Association fundraising.

Alli Jirsa — 5-8 point guard, from Verona, Wisconsin, Area H.S. An all-around player, she averaged 13.1 ppg, 4.4 rebounds, four assists and three steals a game as a junior. She earned First Team all-conference and Division 1 all-state honorable mention this year, along with all-conference honorable mention in 2024.

She has a 3.97 grade-point average, and has been academic all-state three times and a National Honor Society member.

Izzy Ivezaj — 6-3 center, Rochester Hills, Mich., Stoney Creek H.S. She averaged 7.8 ppg, 8.6 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game, holding school records with 86 blocks and 223 rebounds in a season. Will be a four-year varsity player and three-year captain, leading her team to MHSAA Division 1 district and regional championships, earning all-conference twice.

In the classroom and community, she is a two-time National Honor Society officer, Athletic Leadership Club president and student council representative. She won a Michigan Student Leadership Unsung Hero Award and been a SAFE Ambassador and Link Crew leader.

Teagan Schoenecker — 6-1 guard-forward, from Oregon, Wisconsin, H.S. Also a standout in soccer, she averaged 19.6 ppg and 7.5 rebounds on the basketball court last season. Named First Team all-conference and all-state honorable mention after earning all-conference honorable mention in 2024.

In soccer, she helped her team win a 2024 state title and was Second Team all-conference. Has a 4.0 GPA and member of National Honor Society.

Claire VanDamme — 6-3 center, from Kent, Ohio, Theodore Roosevelt H.S. A skilled post player averaging 12 ppg, 10 rebounds, two assists and three blocks a game. She is a five-year letterwinner, earning All-Suburban League honors the last two seasons, along with Inland District recognition. Listed on Prep Hoops Top Performer and All-American Watch lists.

She has a 4.34 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release reviewing the recruits. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.