It’s easy to forget about the University of New England when you’re debating the merits of women’s basketball programs in Maine this winter.
Bowdoin and Southern Maine took up residence in NCAA Division III’s consensus top five the moment last season ended, and neither powerhouse has done anything to prove they don’t belong in that discussion.
Bates is finally healthy and making a midseason run at another national tournament berth, with a recent victory over Bowdoin to prove it. And the University of Maine at Farmington and Maine Maritime appear on a collision course for the North Atlantic Conference championship and an automatic NCAA bid.
Now, after stringing together three consecutive wins at the beginning of January, including two in Commonwealth Coast Conference play, UNE might have a right to ask, “What about us?”
Nine different players have started a game this winter for the Nor’easters, and four of them have strong local ties.
Brooke and Sheena Weston have taken their sister act south to Biddeford from Dirigo High School, and the Cougars’ winning ways also seem to have made the trip.
Brooke has started seven games as a freshman and is second on the team with 32 assists. One of her prime performances to date was a 14-point, 10-rebound effort in a 53-50 league win over Roger Williams on Jan. 7. She also ranks among the Nor’easters top five in 3-pointers (eight, tied for second), rebounding (3.3 per game, third) and scoring (6.8, fifth).
Sheena, a junior, has nine starts and is third on the club in assists and fourth in steals.
Former Lewiston High School teammates Katie Morin and Kelsi Royer also are in UNE’s starting rotation.
Morin was one of the conference’s top rookies last season, and the sprained ankle that kept her out of action around the holidays is the only hint of a sophomore jinx.
The crafty guard returned to the lineup last Thursday and scored all 10 of her points in the second half to push the Nor’easters past Framingham State, 60-44. Two days later, she combined with first-year standout Alli Gamache for 28 second-half points in a 73-57 rout of Commonwealth Coast rival Gordon.
Royer has matched Brooke Weston’s output with 8 3-pointers and is averaging 3.8 points per game as a senior forward.
UNE dropped a 60-56 decision to Endicott College on Tuesday night, falling to 7-5 on the campaign. The Nor’easters hosted Anna Maria on Thursday evening and visit Curry on Saturday.
Not to be outdone
Isaac Stickney of Rumford is enjoying a splendid sophomore season for the UNE men. The 6-foot-6 graduate of Mountain Valley High School has started every game for the Nor’easters (4-9). Stickney leads the team in field goal percentage (53.9), blocked shots (29) and rebounds per game (9.3). He’s second in scoring (12.5 points per game) and steals (eight for the season).
Two other area players have shared the frontcourt with Stickney. Nick Farynaz, a 6-4 junior forward from Gray, checks in third on the team with 9.3 points per game and is a perfect 14-for-14 from the free-throw line. Kenny Poulin of Auburn (Edward Little) also sees time as a spot starter and key reserve. He trails only Stickney with six blocks.
Ex-Patriots
Katie Whittier has garnered most of the headlines this winter for her breakout season at the University of Maine, but no fewer than three of Whittier’s former Gray-New Gloucester High School teammates are shining at the small college level.
Josalee Danieli has played in all 15 games, starting three as a sophomore at Rhode Island College. She’s hitting 55.3 percent of her field goal tries, leading the team, and is among RIC’s top four in scoring and rebounding. Danieli hit for double figures in two recent victories, scoring 17 points as the Anchorwomen downed Westfield State, 70-46, and chalking up 14 in a 63-55 defeat of Roger Williams.
Dawn Ross has played in 14 of the first 16 games for top-ranked USM, coupling 2.5 points per game with nine steals. And Danielle Somma has made key defensive contributions as a senior guard at Saint Joseph’s College.
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