The former Edward Little star has found happiness at USM.
By Kevin Mills
Staff Writer

GORHAM – It probably was not the lesson that Megan Myles expected college life to provide.

After earning a basketball scholarship to Merrimack College, the former Edward Little standout discovered that money doesn’t necessarily buy you contentment.

“I’m glad I went there and got to experience it for a year,” said Myles. “I’m glad I learned what I learned, but I’m glad I didn’t stay there for another year. It’s definitely been one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

Myles left Merrimack after last year and hasn’t regretted the change. She transferred to the University of Southern Maine where she became a conference all-star and helped the Huskies reach Friday’s Division III Northeast semifinal at Bowdoin.

It isn’t often that a player of Myles caliber shows up on your doorstep in the middle of the summer, but it was a welcome sight for USM coach Gary Fifield.

“We really didn’t try to recruit her because we knew she was getting Division II looks and as a Division III school, you can’t waste your time trying to get somebody you know your not going to get,” said Fifield. “All you can do is let them know that if things don’t work out, here we are. Once in awhile you get lucky like we did and get someone who wants to come back home.”

It’s been a pretty good situation for both parties. Myles got a fresh start. USM added a talented and knowledgeable player. She stepped into an already strong program and averaged 23.5 points this season, tied for second on the team. She leads the team with 185 rebounds, 87 assists and 70 steals and is second in blocks with 15.

“It was great for us, and I think she’s enjoyed the time here as well,” said Fifield. “She’s enjoyed the level of play and has had some success here. I see it as a win-win situation for both of us.”

Myles was part of an EL team that reached the Western A final in back-to-back years and was a Miss Basketball finalist as a senior. She was the fourth-leading scorer in the program and just the second female to earn a scholarship. At Merrimack, she was averaging about 10 minutes per game early on but watched her minutes dwindle as the season progressed.

“It was a lot of different things,” said Myles. “I can’t really pinpoint any one thing. I just didn’t enjoy it there.”

By the early summer, Myles had decided against returning. She told the coaching staff at Merrimack that she wasn’t coming back and giving up her scholarship.

“It just wasn’t worth it to stay,” said Myles. “I did give up a lot, but I wasn’t a happy kid. It’s hard to play when you don’t have that passion anymore. It was a hard decision, but it made it pretty easy. All the years growing up and working for that scholarship and you feel like you have it taken away, but it was definitely worth it.”

When she chose to leave Merrimack, she had no backup plan in mind. She looked at different schools, like St. Joseph’s and Maine Maritime Academy. Because USM had a nursing program, and she had a familiarity with Fifield and the program, it seemed like a good fit.

“I just decided that was the best place for me both school-wise and athletically,” said Myles.

She knew some of the players from high school. She had played against Jen Webster at Franklin Pierce last year before she transferred to USM. Ashley Marble was another newcomer, giving up her volleyball scholarship at the University of Maine to go to USM. So there were people she knew and could relate to.

“I just came down and started playing pick-up with them and everything flowed great,” said Myles. “The chemistry was there. It seemed like it was meant to be even before the season started.”

With a bundle of talent already, Myles was able to step right in and play a variety of roles for the Huskies. Her size helps in the post while her ballhandling skills enables her to play on the perimeter.

“She just really has a great understanding of how to play the game,” said Fifield. “She brings a ton of versatility to the game. She plays position two through five. She’s just very multidimensional in what she can do.”

Despite being only a sophomore and a newcomer on the team, Myles has been able to establish herself as one of the squad’s leaders.

“I think she’s a great person for the team, team chemistry and team leadership,” said Fifield. “As a sophomore, she does some great things in terms of keeping the team focused and headed in the proper direction. I just think she’s a good person, and she’s very much a leader on and off the court for us. She keeps the team together.”

It has been a great experience for Myles after last year’s disappointment. It’s a ride that she and her fellow Huskies hope to keep going this weekend. USM lost to unbeaten Bowdoin, 59-52, back in early December.

A win over the Polar Bears Friday puts USM in Saturday’s game that could advance them to the national semifinals in Norfolk, Virginia.

“We can’t wait. I can’t wait,” said Myles. “We still have a bad taste in our mouths from when we lost to them after Thanksgiving. It’s something we haven’t forgotten.”