PRESQUE ISLE — It’s been a challenging preseason for the University of Maine at Presque Isle women’s basketball team, but first-year coach Doug Carter likes what he sees from his small but committed group of athletes.
The Owls have just a 10-player roster and due to injuries and having some athletes just conclude their fall season, Carter said the team had not been able to play five-on-five entering the weekend’s Star City Classic tournament.
“It’s made the first part of the season a challenge, but I believe this is a special group that will bond together and overachieve,” said the coach.
“I’ve been really, really pleased with how receptive our young ladies have been to what I am trying to teach. I am trying to be flexible and use our players’ strengths to our advantage,” he added. “I have a committed group of extremely tough young ladies who will fight, scrap and claw for any advantage and I simply love that as a coach who relies on emotion to motivate.”
The UMPI leaders are senior Olivia McNally of Sherman and junior Brigitte Pratt of Southwest Harbor, who will serve as captains. Sophomore point guard Darby Toth of Hebron, Ohio has also impressed Carter during early-season workouts.
“Those three are not big in size, but their impact on our program is as huge as three players can possibly be,” he said.
McNally is an extremely talented player who can fill a stat sheet, as evidenced by her 9.4 points, 5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game last year. Pratt’s on-court presence is exceptional and she is a strong vocal leader.
Toth is a talented and intelligent floor leader and is expected to play with more confidence in her second season with the squad.
Amanda Hotham, a 5-10 forward from Fort Fairfield, is also back and will have an expanded role in her second year with the program. Another local former high school star, Rebecca Campbell of Washburn, has rejoined the team and at 5-10 gives the Owls a scoring and rebounding presence.
“Amanda is a solid shooter, capable of carrying us through some lulls, while Rebecca has some offensive ability and is working hard to get back into the swing of playing college-level ball,” Carter said.
Sophomore six-footer Janel Sewell of Mobile, Ala., another returnee, is suffering from concussion symptoms and has not been able to stop on the floor. Freshmen guards Kristin Thompson and Sydney Churchill have been pleasant surprises as unknown commodities just coming into a collegiate program. Thompson is from Medway and was a top performer for a strong Schenck program, while Churchill was a four-year player and a key outside shooting threat for Fort Fairfield.
“They fit into our group perfectly, unlike most freshmen who have difficulties dealing with the idea of becoming a ‘role player’ until they become more experienced,” Carter said. “I cannot say enough about their maturity in adding quality play and a positive attitude to our group.”
Katie Paternaude of Presque Isle and Leslie Theriault of Enfield are making the transition from the volleyball team and round out the roster.
“I am excited because this group has some goals, which involve playing winning basketball and establishing a sense of pride back into the program,” Carter said.
