ORONO, Maine — Last season marked a turning point for the University of Maine women’s basketball program.
The Black Bears achieved a 13-game improvement over 2012-2013 with a 17-15 record that marked their first winning season in eight years. UMaine finished fourth in America East (10-6) and lost to Hartford in the quarterfinals, but went 1-1 in the Women’s Basketball Invitational.
Coach Richard Barron begins his fourth season in Orono with a team laden with experience and depth as it looks to establish itself as a legitimate league championship contender.
UMaine’s roster features eight juniors and a senior along with two sophomores, one of whom played significant minutes last season.
“We definitely feel like we have a veteran presence, a core group of players who know what we’re doing, and we feel like we can be pretty consistent with what our strategies were last year and just try to improve on them,” Barron said.
Leading the way is junior Liz Wood, an All-America East second-team and all-defensive team pick. The 5-foot-10 forward is UMaine’s top returner in points (12.6 per game), rebounds (6.7 rpg), assists (2.8 apg), steals (2.1 spg) and minutes played (31.5 mpg).
“Her versatility stands out,” Barron said. “She’s a tough matchup for people, is strong enough and has good footwork to match up inside, and is a great shooter and can handle the ball like a guard and pull anybody who’s bigger away from the basket.”
The key losses were senior guard Ashleigh Roberts, UMaine’s top scorer (13.9 ppg) and postgrad point guard Cherrish Wallace (7.6 ppg).
Other junior mainstays are shooting guard Lauren Bodine (7.4 ppg, .405 3-point field goal percentage), combo guard Sophie Weckstrom (5.5 ppg, 1.5 apg), 6-2 forward Mikaela Gustafsson (4.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg), guard/forward Chantel Charles (4.5 ppg) and 6-4 forward Anna Heise (4.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg).
Bodine and Weckstrom complement each other in the backcourt.
“Lauren was one of the best shooters in the country last year and has worked hard at trying to add other things to her game so she can be more of a creator,” Barron said.
“(Weckstrom) can handle the ball, is a very competent shooter and has worked on become a more aggressive defender,” he added.
Charles, who is rounding back into shape after a preseason foot injury, also provides a variety of skills.
“She’s like a Swiss Army knife,” Barron said. “She can shoot the 3, can get to the rim, is a good passer and has one of the best basketball IQs on the team.”
Gustafson has expanded her offensive skills and continues to improve her defense and rebounding, while a healthy, trim Heise strives to polish her footwork and hit the boards to accompany her soft shooting touch.
UMaine’s backcourt is bolstered by speedy sophomore Sigi Koizar (4.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg), who aims to expand her shooting range and confidence level.
“She’s very creative and is able to make moves in the paint, keep her balance and get to the rim,” Barron said.
Courtney Anderson of Greene (2.6 ppg), the team’s only senior, inspires with her work ethic and court presence.
“She maybe is our best on-floor leader,” Barron said. “She’s very vocal and knows the game well, understands our philosophy and is doing a good job of mentoring.”
UMaine expects growth from sophomore forward Sheraton Jones, who is strong and aggressive around the basket.
The Bears have welcomed in junior Bella Swan, a 5-11 transfer from Salt Lake Community College. She is a quick forward who can score and play solid defense.
“She’s extremely athletic, long, a really good perimeter defender,” Barron said.
Junior guard Milica Mitrovic is working her way back from reconstructive knee surgery.
UMaine’s freshman class includes guards Christiana Gerostergiou, whom Barron said is learning the system quickly, and Parise Rossignol of Van Buren, the state’s No. 2 scorer all-time with 2,589 points, along with forwards Kirsten Johnson and Janessa Fauntroy.
“They’re going to have the chance to get better throughout the season without feeling like they’re losing games to learn lessons,” Barron said of the newcomers.
The flexibility and depth of this ballclub means the Bears should be difficult for opponents to contain.
“We have probably 10 players who could score double digits in any game,” Barron said.
The experience also should translate into better execution and decision-making late in close games and produce more wins.
“We’ve really simplified the playbook and letting kids make decisions in the motion offense or reads in the set plays,” he explained.
The sheer number of potential contributors may test the coaching staff.
“It presents challenges in terms of how you try to come up with the best lineups or give time to different groups to play together,” Barron said.
“It’s just a matter of time to figure out the right balance.”
UMaine opens the season Friday night at Bryant University.