ORONO – Coach Sharon Versyp had given Heather Ernest ample warning.

The University of Maine’s women’s basketball coach told the former Mt. Blue standout that if she wanted to make a name for herself as a Black Bear, she’d better brace herself.

“I told Heather Do you want to be the best and hang up there in the rafters and be one of the best players at UMaine?'” said Versyp. “Then I’m going to be on you, and I’m going to be extremely tough on you because you have the ability.'”

Versyp lived up to her promise, and Ernest lived up to her potential. Saturday the two stood together at center court as Ernest’s No. 11 was retired. She joins Cindy Blodgett, Rachel Bouchard and Liz Coffin on a banner high above the court in Alfond Arena. Jamie Cassidy will have her No. 24 retired January 30.

“I cried, but everybody who knows me knew I would cry,” said Ernest. “It was an honor, and it was even better to have Liz standing there next to me. I’m still in a little bit of shock.”

Ernest was presented a framed No. 11 jersey and received a standing ovation from the crowd. As her Black Bears beat Michigan, Ernest rekindled old friends and memories.

“I loved it here,” said Ernest. “I’ve said it before many times, and I’ll say it again, I wouldn’t have put myself anywhere else.”

Her college life actually began just about like every other freshman. She left home and joined the masses at UMaine. Between books and basketball, she dove right into college life – and hated it.

“In my freshman year, it was not a fun year,” said Ernest. “I called home crying saying that I wanted to come home, and my father said No.'”.

Ernest was told to finish out the year. If she wanted to rethink her college plans, her parents, John and Pam Ernest, would listen after her first year. Ernest now says her parents were right, as usual.

“At the end of the year, I was like “I love it at UMaine,” said Ernest.

Ernest had a mighty resume coming out of high school. She had led the Mt. Blue Cougars to back-to-back state championships, including a perfect season her senior year. She became the school’s all-time leading scorer and was named Miss Maine Basketball, the Gatorade Player of the Year in Maine and the USA Today Player of the Year.

When Chandler Woodcock took over the Cougar program Ernest’s sophomore year, there was little doubt about the potential he had in his 6-foot-1 center.

“I knew there wasn’t a question of whether she’d play or not,” said Woodcock. “It was a question of at what level. She could have played Division III as a junior. I had no doubt that she could play at the Division I level.”

Woodcock says she is pound-for-pound the best rebounder he’s ever seen in a female athlete. He used to tease her when she’d get 15 or 16 rebounds and game and 10 would be offensive boards. He’d ask her if she missed a few on purpose just to pad her stats.

When he first arrived Ernest was a tall player with mobility and good ball handling skills. She was a tough matchup for any foe, and her talent was just beginning to blossom. Woodcock knew she had the God-given talent, and he tried to shape it for the future.

“You have to have the athletic ability, and you have to have great discipline on the court and off in order to fulfill your academics,” he said. “She’s gifted athletically. She has the ultimate athletic drive to be successful, not individually but as a team. She’s a great team player.”

Ernest worked on her outside shooting. She built up her strength. She improved her knowledge of the game. She also prepared herself mentally.

“The focus of our discussions were to be mentally tough and to have great discipline to play Division I basketball.”

By her senior year, Ernest was attracting attention, but UMaine was late to express interest. One problem with Ernest was determining where she might fit in a lineup. Woodcock says she’s the prototype of post players you see today. She was more than just a tall body that could stake out territory in the paint.

“She was really sort of a late bloomer when it came to UMaine because they really didn’t know where to play her because she doesn’t fit the role of a 3, 4 or a 5,” said Woodcock.

Ernest eventually found her niche at UMaine. It took some adjustment and patience. A brief suspension got her off on a sour note, but Ernest persevered and soon thrived.

“I learned how to work hard and how to accept responsibility,” said Ernest. “I learned a lot about myself. All the mistakes I made, I got something out of them.”

Ernest credits her family for their support and direction throughout her career. Her sisters, Nicole and Tiffany, are much older than she. They gave her freedom to make her mistakes but were always there to help when needed.

“I attribute my success to the way I was raised,” said Ernest. “My parents had a lot to do with how I’d take the constructive criticism and the encouragement. My family has been a huge support for me. I had siblings, but I was kind of an only child too. I really have been blessed with my family and friends.”

Though she was accustomed to a slower, halfcourt game in high school, she fit in well with UMaine’s fast paced running game. She could easily go from running the fast break to dominating the boards inside. Her versatility was crucial to her success as well as that of the Black Bears.

Michigan coach Cheryl Burnett raved about Ernest after Saturday’s loss.

“I saw the films of last year, and I kept saying Who is that kid,'” said Burnett. “I just thought she was a phenomenal player. For us to be here when her number was retired was really a pleasure.”

Behind Ernest UMaine recorded back-to-back 25 win seasons in 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 for the first time in the program’s history. Her junior year the team was invited to the WNIT Tournament after losing the America East final. Her senior year, the Black Bears reached the NCAA Tournament and lost in the opening round to Texas Tech in Montana

Following her junior season, she was invited to the USA Basketball National Team Trials. She was a two-time America East Player of the Year and is just the third UMaine player to have over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Her 1,804 points ranks fifth all-time, and her 1,040 rebounds ranks third.

“It was an emotional moment for me out there with her because that doesn’t happen often,” said Versyp.

Ernest is now playing professionally in Luxembourg. She may go to graduate school next year to become a physician’s assistant or she could keep playing.

“My experience here is an experience that I’ll remember and treasure forever,” said Ernest. “For the good, the bad and the ugly, it all made me who I am today and where I am today.”