Bella Commits to Providence

Bella McLaughlin decided there isn’t much to wait for after Providence offered her a full scholarship last week so she committed to them yesterday and can now focus on her Junior season on the court and in the classroom. Providence had everything she was looking for from a basketball, academic, social, and distance standpoint. McLaughlin played significant minutes as a Freshman and helped a talented Hampden Academy team to a Northern Maine title. Last year, her team finished 10-3 in a Covid shortened season where she averaged 10 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals per game.
Firecracker founder Brian Clement noted that the 5’7” Point Guard is a tireless worker whose motor and consistency of effort are unusual. Hamden Academy Coach Nick Winchester, one of the most respected and accomplished current high school basketball coaches in Maine, said that he hasn’t seen many more committed and talented players and her improvement in the past year has been significant. “She’s unique and a terrific person as well.”
McLaughlin joined the Firecrackers this year and formed a dynamic backcourt with Chelsea Graiver on a young and talented National team coached by Chris Fitzpatrick. The Firecrackers finished 23-5 and played in the competitive Hoop Group league against some of the top competition on the East Coast.
Fitzpatrick was particularly impressed with McLaughlin’s speed and on ball defense. “She can fly, she distributes well, she is fearless, and she can score. I can’t wait to see her in a Providence uniform.” Providence plays in the Big East and is coached by Jim Crowley.