There will be an increased Aroostook County influence on the Husson University women’s basketball team next season.
Coach Kissy Walker confirmed that Husson has received commitments from two more high school standouts as Washburn High School classmates Mackenzie Worcester and Joan Overman will attend the Bangor school in the fall.
Overman and Worcester were instrumental in spearheading Washburn to the last four of its unprecedented five consecutive Class D girls state championships.
Walker said both women plan to study physical therapy at Husson, where the women’s basketball team already includes two Aroostook County stars in Chandler Guerrette of Presque Isle and Victoria McIntyre of Central Aroostook in Mars Hill.
“They’re outstanding kids in every way and they’re winners,” said Walker, who will begin her 25th season at Husson in the fall. “They’re very athletic. I love that running and pressing style of game and they fit right into that.”
Walker said Worcester has great anticipation and can play up front in the press. She said Worcester is a talented point guard who can shoot and rebound and is “crafty with her penetration to the basket. She’s also stronger than she looks.”
Overman, according to Walker, will be a “nice addition defensively and she can also rebound. She has a nice little jump shot. She’s quick and has good anticipation.”
Worcester was the catalyst for a Washburn ballclub that raced to a 22-0 record last season for coach Diana Trams. The 5-foot-5 guard finished her career with 2,001 points after scoring 37 in the Beavers’ 60-54 state championship victory over Rangeley at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
Worcester, whose older brother, Mitch, plays for the Husson men’s basketball team, was a semifinalist for the Miss Maine Basketball award last season. She was a Bangor Daily News All-Maine second-team pick this year after averaging 25 points, nine assists and eight rebounds per game.
She also was a third-team choice in 2014 and an honorable mention in 2013. Worcester was a four-time Bangor Daily News Eastern Maine Class D All-Tournament selection and twice earned the Owen O. Osborne MVP honor.
Worcester was chosen for the Maine Soccer Coaches Class D East All-Star Team each of the last two years, helping Washburn win the program’s first Class D state title in 2013 after claiming an EM crown in 2012.
She also played a big part in the Beavers’ 2012 Class C cross-country state championship, turning in a sixth-place individual finish. Worcester also finished eighth in 2011 and 12th in 2013, helping Washburn earn state runner-up honors. She was 14th in the state meet last fall.
Overman had a dynamic impact on Washburn’s multi-sport successes in recent years. The 5-foot-8 forward claimed BDN All-Tourney recognition in basketball last season and was an honorable mention in 2013 and 2014.
The scrappy Overman averaged 12 points and six rebounds per contest last winter, performing with the effectiveness of a taller player around the basket.
On the soccer pitch, the forward joined her classmate as an All-Eastern Maine Class D selection and was instrumental in the Beavers’ state and regional championships in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Overman also competed in cross-country, taking 65th in the 2014 Class C state meet.
Both played on the Washburn softball team.
