WASHBURN, Maine — Aroostook County’s boys high school basketball all-time leading scorer is making a move.
Mitchell Worcester, who spent his freshman year as a redshirt player at the University of Maine at Orono, a Div. I program, has decided to attend Husson University in Bangor this fall to study physical education and play on the basketball team.
“I was interested in going there last year too,” Worcester admitted before choosing UMaine. “I really like the system Coach (Warren) Caruso runs down there. They like to run, which fits my style perfectly.”
The 20-year-old Worcester, who is 6-3 and 185 lbs., was a non-scholarship player who walked on and practiced with the Black Bears during the 2013-14 season but did not compete in any games.
“I learned a lot about the game of basketball [at UMaine], such as ways to defend screens and offensively what it takes to get by your defender,” Worcester said. “Also about the physical part, such as ways to get stronger and eating healthy.”
He is eligible to play immediately with the Div. III Eagles.
“We are excited to have Mitch join the Husson family,” Caruso said. “He has a very good offensive skill set and is a proven scorer. He is part of a very good recruiting class and he will play a role in our success this year.”
Last year, Husson compiled a 26-3 record, won the North Atlantic Conference tournament and competed in the NCAA Div. III Tournament, falling to Eastern Connecticut State.
Worcester, the son of Larry and Kim Worcester, played varsity basketball for the Washburn Beavers under coach Randy Norsworthy, graduating in 2013. He tallied 2,297 career points, second all-time in the state to Vinalhaven’s Raymond Alley, who also went on to play at Husson.
Worcester made 258 three-point shots during his varsity career and averaged 32.3 points per game his senior season, along with 12 rebounds, eight assists and three steals, leading the Beavers into the Eastern Maine Class D semifinals before the team was eliminated by Central Aroostook in overtime.
He was a finalist for the state’s prestigious Mr. Basketball Award as a senior and was a McDonald’s Senior All-Star and an Aroostook County Senior All-Star. Worcester was voted to the Bangor Daily News All-Maine second team and was also selected to the Maine Sunday Telegram all-state team.