ORONO – The University of Maine athletic department has announced that a pair of former women’s basketball players – Heather Ernest and Jamie Cassidy – will have their jerseys retired this season.

Ernest, a two-time America East Player of the Year, starred for the Black Bears from 2000-04, earning all-league honors each season. The former Mt. Blue standout finished her career with 1,804 points and 1,040 rebounds. Behind Ernest, Maine recorded back-to-back 25-win seasons for the first time in school history. Her number will be raised to the rafters prior to the Black Bears game against Michigan on Dec. 18.

Cassidy, who will be honored on Jan. 30, was a on the team from 1996-2000, and was the Black Bears third all-time leading scorer. She concluded her career with 2,380 points, placing her third on the America East career list.