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2006-2007 SEASON PREVIEW

The UMF women’s basketball team enters the 2006-07 season with a bull’s eye on its back, having captured the North Atlantic Conference Championship a season ago and returning its top two players this season.  With high expectations once again, the Beavers begin the season with talent and depth at every position.  As much as things may have changed with the Beavers’ first-ever NCAA Tournament bid last season, the core values that have led to success remain unchanged.

“The NCAA Tournament was a great experience and we are hoping to build on that experience for this year,” said head coach Jamie Beaudoin.  “Our focus remains to play our best basketball in February, to play defense, and to improve every day.   We have a tough non-conference schedule, and being successful will also be measured by how we perform against these opponents”  

“Player development, team development, and learning to compete with the best teams in New England, are areas where we will continue to focus.”

Guards

Returning at point guard is all-league performer Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME), who averaged 9.9 points per game and dished out 116 assists last season.  She also shot over 36% from three-point range. 

“Sirois will handle the ball the majority of the time, but will need to look to score more often for us this season,” said Beaudoin.  “She is a good defender and is among the best guards in New England.”

She is joined in the backcourt by Amanda Byrne (Winslow, ME), who will see increased minutes along with Samantha Wiley (Lincolnville, ME) and Meagan Boyd (Kittery, ME), due to the graduation of Meagan Cyr and Brandi Rideout.

Erin Porter (Bangor, ME) is another key contributor who will see time in the backcourt this season and at the small forward position.  She had a promising freshman season last year and will be counted on for a greater role this season.

“Byrne is a great defensive player who can change the game with her speed and quickness,” said Beaudoin.  “We’ll need her to knock down the outside shot with greater consistency this season.  Boyd is a strong defender who plays hard and provides leadership for us.”

“Wiley has an ability to get into the lane and create opportunities for her teammates. Her continued development will be important as team try to get the ball out of the Sirois’ hands.”

Shannon Brown (Gorham, ME), who has shown improved offensive skills, and Whitney Page (Sorento, ME) will push for playing time at the guard position.

Forwards

UMF returns arguably the top forward in the league in Kari Simpson (Wells, ME), whose offensive repertoire, rebounding abilities and shot-blocking skills make her a versatile threat who can beat teams a number of ways.  Last season, while earning MVP honors in the NAC Tournament, she scored in double figures in 25 of 29 games, including a career-high 41 in a semifinal win over Lasell.  Simpson led the Beavers in scoring (18.3 ppg.) and rebounding (8.4 rpg.) last season and was an All-Maine and All-New England pick.  She also enters the 2006-07 season in close range of the career scoring mark at UMF.

“Simpson does it all for us and has managed to improve every season,” said Beaudoin.  “This season, she will have a lot more attention given to her at the offensive end of the floor, and defensively will be asked to have a larger roll in guarding the opposition’s best player.”

With the loss of Melissa Sawyer to graduation, Erin Johnson (Bailey Island, ME) will see an increased role in the frontcourt this season.  A strong player with a soft touch around the basketball, she will need to assert herself in order to take the low-post pressure off Simpson.

“Johnson gets good position and must make her shots to keep teams honest,” said Beaudoin.  “I fully expect her to have a productive season for us this year.”

Joining Simpson and Johnson in the post is first-year Stephanie Bossie (Winslow, ME), a physically gifted player who will see immediate playing time.  Another newcomer, Caitlyn Laflin (Farmingdale, ME) can play inside or outside and will give the Beavers’ some much-needed versatility and athleticism.  Rounding out the post players is Brianna Bunch (Gorham, ME), who will push for playing time.

“Bossie is already a good player who will only get better,” said Beaudoin.  “She is a good passer with the ability to play facing the basket as well as in the post.”

“Laflin brings a variety of skills to the court and will see increased playing time as she grows more comfortable with our system.   Bunch is a hard-working forward who plays very well defensively.”

Although UMF’s roster is smaller than in year’s past, there is a good chance that each player will have a key role this season, although any and all success will start with the senior duo of Simpson and Sirois.

“They are going to have to carry the load of our success,” said Beaudoin. “Sirois is a playmaker who will have to look to score more than she has in previous years.  Simpson we need to find a way to get her touches on the ball despite teams focusing on her.  She, like Siros, makes all the players on the floor that much better, not only due the fact they can score, but the fact the are both unselfish and are good passers.”

With both players back this season and an impressive group surrounding them, UMF figures to be among the conference’s top teams and once again challenging for the league title. 

“Our goal remains simple – to reach the NAC Tournament and go from there,” said Beaudoin.  “The conference will be interesting, with MMA returning three key players and the rest of the conference improving – every conference game will be important as teams look to secure a home tournament game.

Despite a likely crop of worthy challengers, the Beavers are primed for another run deep into the postseason and appear properly equipped to pursue the North Atlantic Conference title.

“The key to our success is going to be the development of players that last year were on our bench or playing in high school,” said Beaudoin.  “Our depth has been a key component the past few years, with an ability to play a variety of lineups, apply pressure defensively and push the ball offensively.  We might have to make some adjustments this season, such as looking to play more in the half court or actually trying to play a bigger lineup depending on match-ups.”

“February is a long way off. How we develop as a team will be determined by our ability to remain focused on daily improvement and understanding of our game.