There isn’t much Houlton High School’s Kolleen Bouchard hasn’t accomplished in her first two seasons on the basketball court for the Shires.
She led them to a Class C state championship as a freshman and did the same last year in Class B.
Bouchard was a Bangor Daily News All-Maine Schoolgirl Basketball first-team selection last season after being a second-teamer as a freshman.
She is one of the 10 players to watch among the players in the North division’s five classes (AA, A, B, C and D).
The others are Messalonskee of Oakland senior Sophie Holmes, John Bapst of Bangor junior Crystal Bell, Bangor senior Katie Butler, Presque Isle junior Emily Wheaton, Gardiner senior Lauren Chadwick, Deering of Portland senior Abi Ramirez, Waterville senior Jordan Jabar, Hermon senior Emi Higgins and Edward Little of Auburn senior Jordyn Reynolds.
Holmes was an All-Maine third teamer, and Wheaton, Ramirez, Bell, Reynolds, Higgins and Butler were honorable mentions.
Bouchard, according to John Bapst coach Mike Webb, is the “best all-around player in Eastern Maine.”
The 5-foot-11 guard averaged 20.7 points, nine rebounds, four blocked shots and 3.3 assists a year ago, and Houlton coach Shawn Graham said her game “improves every year. She has over 900 points. She does it all for us. She has very long arms and great body control.”
Holmes, a 5-8 guard, averaged 20.8 points, 11 rebounds, three steals per game, two assists and two blocked shots.
“She was second in the league in scoring and rebounding last year, and that says a lot,” said Messalonskee coach Keith Derosby. “She has great instincts defensively. And she’s a gym rat.”
Bell, a 5-7 guard, averaged 17 points, six rebounds and three assists for the Crusaders and is a proven point-producer from all over the court.
“She can shoot from anywhere. She has an eye for the basket. And she drives very well. She’s tenacious. She works on her game year-round,” said Webb.
Chadwick, a multipurpose 5-6 guard, has been the catalyst for the Tigers, averaging 14 points and six assists a year ago.
“She sets the tone for the whole team, and they feed off what she brings to the table,” said Gardiner coach Mike Gray. “She’s an outstanding guard who also rebounds well.”
Butler, a 6-foot center, is a formidable inside presence who has significantly improved her shooting touch. She averaged about 13 points and nine rebounds for the Rams a year ago.
In addition, Bangor coach Joe Johnson considers her a “relentless defender.”
Reynolds, a 6-foot center, is one of Class AA North’s best post players.
Edward Little coach Craig Jipson said she is a “very good rebounder and shot blocker.”
She had 17 points in the regional final last year and should be a more prolific scorer this season.
Ramirez is a very speedy and tireless guard who does a little bit of everything for Deering. She averaged 6.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and two steals per game.
“She’s a tough, tough kid,” said Jipson.
Jabar, a high-scoring forward, is a “real nice player” according to Gray. “She has pretty good range, she’s very athletic, and she gets to the basket. She’s similar to Chadwick.”
Higgins, a 6-foot forward, emerged as a star in the Class B North Tournament a year ago when she scored 35 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in upset victories over Mount Desert Island and Presque Isle.
“She’s versatile,” said Houlton’s Graham. “She can make that midrange shot, and she also has some nice post moves.”
Wheaton is a versatile 5-5 guard who runs the show for the Wildcats and averaged 16.2 points, 4.4 assists and 2.2 steals last year.
“She’s one of the toughest girls to defend in our class,” said Graham. “She gets to the rim well for her size, and she can also hit a step-back jumper. She’s an excellent ball-handler and a good passer.”
Others to watch: Sydney Allen, Central; Morgan Boudreau, Lawrence; McKenna Brodeur, Messalonskee; Abby Cavallaro, Cheverus; Morgan Dauk, George Stevens Academy; Victoria Harris, Lewiston; Erin Morton, Oxford Hills; Megan Peach, Dexter; Holly Preston, Shead; Tasia Titherington, Deering; Mary Toman, Gardiner.