UMPI’s women basketball team welcomes new coach
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The University of Maine at Presque Isle women’s basketball team adds five new players and will look to the direction of first-year head coach Traci Halvorson to improve on a 4-20 record from a year ago.
Last year’s leading scorer Amanda Hotham and sharpshooter Sydney Churchill are both seniors from Fort Fairfield and they return to lead the Owls this season. Hotham averaged 12.7 points last season and grabbed eight rebounds a contest, while Churchill started all 24 games while putting up 8.8 ppg and leading the team with 34 assists.
Junior guard Brianna Losee, a junior from Pittsfield, also brings her experience and leadership back for the Owls, as she averaged 28 minutes a game last season and contributed 7.8 points and 1.7 assists per game.
Holli Boyce, a sophomore from Stonington; Jessy Dickison, a junior from Houlton; Janae Libby, a junior from Fort Fairfield; Kylee Alton, a senior from Burnham; and Teegan Laweryson, a junior from Moscow, all return this season, having contributed key minutes during the 2015-16 campaign.
The Owls welcome some new faces that will be expected to contribute this season. Senior transfer Carla Halvorson of Easton, the coach’s daughter, will join the backcourt this season. Emilia Churchill, a freshman from Washburn, will also add some athleticism to the guard position.
Morgan Wilcox, a sophomore from Presque Isle, and Rhylee Wright, a freshman from Frenchville, round out the Owls’ rookie class. Wilcox, at 5-7, has the ability to add size underneath, but also can step out to the perimeter and help the Owls there. Wright, a standout athlete from Wisdom High School, stands at 6-1 and will bolster the Owls’ inside game.
Coach Halvorson and the Owls opened their season at Thomas College in Waterville on Tuesday. They will next participate in the Pepsi Mariner Classic at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine. UMPI will draw the host Mariners on Friday at 5 p.m. and continue in the tournament on Saturday, with time and opponent pending the outcome of the tourney opener.
The Owls then open their home schedule on Wednesday, Nov. 23 with a noon start against Central Maine Community College. On Dec. 3, UMPI will host a rematch against MMA.
After three holiday tournaments, the Owls return home in the middle of January when they play host to SUNY-Delhi on Jan. 14. UM-Machias will make the trip to Presque Isle on Jan. 25. On Sunday, Feb. 12, UM-Fort Kent will pay a visit. The Owls will wrap up their regular season schedule with a home date against Alfred State Feb. 18.
