BANGOR, Maine — Kenzie Worcester conceded on Friday night that she doesn’t get nervous playing basketball.
That confidence comes from playing on four consecutive state championship teams at Washburn High School.
On Saturday afternoon, the freshman guard’s big-game experience again helped yield a championship.
Worcester connected for a game-high 22 points on her way to tournament Most Valuable Player honors on Saturday, leading top-seeded Husson University to a 58-49 victory over Castleton University in the North Atlantic Conference championship game at Newman Gymnasium.
Coach Kissy Walker’s Eagles (20-6) claimed their first league title since 2011 and earn the NAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III championship. They will await news of their matchup in Monday afternoon’s selection show.
Worcester also posted three rebounds, two assists and two steals. NAC Player of the Year Victoria McIntyre of Mars Hill also earned all-tourney recognition after posting six points, 10 rebounds and a blocked shot, while NAC Defensive Player of the Year Chandler Guerrette of Presque Isle contributed 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Anna MacKenzie chipped in with six points and 10 rebounds and Darla Morales added seven points and six rebounds for Husson, which won its 13th straight game.
Bryanna duPont paced No. 2 Castleton (21-5) with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Lindsay Sabo and Makayla Farrara netted 11 points. Farrara and duPont also made the all-tournament team along with Kristi Willey of Maine Maritime Academy of Castine and Marjani Lillard of New England College.
Husson held the Spartans to 28 percent shooting (18-for-64), even though Castleton had 16 more shot attempts. The Eagles also came away with a 48-30 rebounding advantage.
Husson was able to put Castleton on its heels early, building a 24-9 lead in the first 10 minutes.
The Eagles led 12-7 when they began their initial push. McIntyre sank two foul shots, then MacKenzie hit a free throw and answered a basket by duPont by making a layup.
Worcester went on a tear to end the quarter. She opened a string of six straight points with a layup off a pass from Denae Johnson, then came up with a steal and converted with a layup. After a Castleton miss, Worcester was fouled and made both shots to give the Eagles a 24-9 advantage.
The Spartans methodically worked their way back into contention and cut the deficit to 45-43 with 6:36 remaining, but Worcester drove in for a layup, was fouled and completed the conventional three-point play.
Morales followed with a 3-pointer and Worcester snipped a jumper to hold Castleton at bay and Husson made five of eight foul shots down the stretch to secure the win and the title.