Ferrito announces her commitment to Wisconsin

Jonathan Alder senior Mary Ferrito is ready to take her skills to the next level after committing to the University of Wisconsin women’s basketball team this month as a walk-on player.
After scoring her 1,000th career point against the Urbana Hillclimbers, plans of playing at the next level were not in the cards for Ferrito.

 However, the senior Lady Pioneer’s love for the game was very apparent.

Jonathan Alder Athletic Director Scott Reule, Mary Ferrito and her head coach Allan Eggleston pose after the Lady Pioneer earned her 1,000th career point against Urbana earlier in the season.

“I obviously love basketball… it’s always been my thing,” Ferrito told the Journal-Tribune. “Going into college, I didn’t want to sacrifice my career goals and education just to play basketball.”

Several teams reached out to the Plain City native regarding her skillset, however, those programs seemingly did not feel like home.

Shortly after reaching her career scoring milestone in mid-season, University of Wisconsin Women’s assistant coach Kate Barnosky reached out and shared there was a walk-on position available with the Big Ten program.

Ferrito is no stranger to Madison, Wisconsin. Her parents, Tony and Katie, both grew up in the state and attended the university, making it a fitting destination for the prospective student- athlete.

“All of my extended family lives up there,” Ferrito said. “From a very young age, I was very familiar with Madison’s campus… that was their stomping ground.”

Growing up and visiting with family, Ferrito fell for the agricultural state as it proved to be her ideal place to continue her education as well as athletics.

As of now, Ferrito is planning to study environmental sciences for her bachelor’s degree.

She also intends on attaining a master’s degree in marine biology.

“There’s tons of lab opportunities and field work,” Ferrito said. “I just want to get those science degrees and go from there.”

Regardless if she had the opportunity to play college basketball, the Lady Pioneer had her heart set on Wisconsin and would go there just as a student if given the chance.

Things began to heat up once the university’s women’s program started to reach out. After having a highlighted senior season which ended in a Division II district final game, Ferrito was thrilled to get notice by a Big Ten program.

Ferrito led the Central Buckeye Conference in points per game (18.8) and was fifth in field goal percentage (46.6) during her senior season at JA.

After speaking with her family, Ferrito finally committed to UW in February, but could not publicly share the news until mid-March after she was accepted into the university.

“Things change really quickly,” Ferrito said. “I am a firm believer in everything happens for a reason… it’s like a dream come true.”

Standing at 5-10, the soon-to-be Badger is prepping for off-season workouts while also participating on JA’s varsity track and field team this spring season.

“I joined track this spring for the purpose of staying in shape and getting faster,” Ferrito said.

In a visit to Wisconsin in early March, Ferrito met with strength and conditioning personnel seeking to upgrade her physical talents. Staff members have been keeping in touch with her track workouts throughout the season.

Ferrito is leaving Ohio June 14 to travel to Wisconsin and participated in the team’s summer program. That consists of eight weeks of strength training and basketball skill work.

Alder senior Mary Ferrito gets a layup against Whitehall during the sectional playoffs.

“I will be living on campus for two months,” Ferrito said. “It’s the off season so the grind has to be there.”

As a player with walk-on status, Ferrito is going into a program with many new faces on its staff. Wisconsin recorded an 8-21 overall record and 5-13 in Big Ten contests this past season. Speaking with the newly-minted Badger, head coach Marisa Moseley is not about labels.

“She does not favor anybody based on seniority, background, scholarship or not,” Ferrito said. “It’s really whoever grinds the hardest and makes the most of their playing time.”

While comforted, the Division II second-team All-Ohio member hoopster still wears a chip on her shoulder.

“Even though she’s already established that I won’t be treated differently, it makes me feel like I need to prove myself,” Ferrito said. “That doesn’t bother me at all.”

Looking back at her career at JA, it was not always smooth sailing for the natural competitor. In the spring of her junior year, as basketball workouts started, head coach Allen Eggleston took the helm for the Lady Pioneers.

Working with a new cast, the new coach struck fire in Ferrito, turning her hopes and dreams into a reality.

“He absolutely reignited my passion for the game, gave me so much confidence and believed in me and our team,” Ferrito said. “I was so ready to go back into the recruiting game.

“I can never say thank you enough to him.”

Lady Pioneer Mary Ferrito gets settled on defense as Bishop Hartley takes the ball down the court during the District Finals.

Playing with her senior class since fourth grade, she also gives credit to her teammates and family for pushing her this far in her athletic career.

“I could not have done it without their support,” Ferrito said. “My dad grinded my entire basketball career… same with my mom and brother.”

Ferrito is also thankful for Moseley and Barnosky for giving her the chance to compete at the next level along with the rest of the staff.

“I am just super excited to get to Madison,” Ferrito said.