Bangor’s Bryce stars for Panthers

Melissa Bryce of Bangor is making a name for herself in her final year playing guard for the Plymouth (N.H.) State College women’s basketball team.

When she graduates in the spring, Bryce is certain to hold a number of school records. She already holds four records for the Panthers.

Nancy Feldman has coached Bryce and the Panthers for three years.

“This is by far her best year ever,” Feldman said of the team’s only senior. A four-year player, Bryce has been a full-time starter for the last two seasons.

Plymouth was 14-12 last season and 5-6 going into a Tuesday game with Norwich. This year’s goal is to better last year’s record and to make the Little East Conference tournament.

“We were disappointed last year (not to make the tourney) because we had six seniors on the team,” Feldman said.

“But we did not have a true point guard, and we had to ask Melissa to play that position, which made her year quite difficult. She was asked to play a different role, one she was not totally comfortable with. I knew that, and knew she sacrificed, personally, for the team. That was a frustration for her as well as the team.”

But all has changed this year with the arrival of freshmen Kelly and Kerri Foss of Biddeford, twins who both play point, enabling Bryce to return to her true off-guard position.

“Melissa is probably one of the best defensive players ever to come out of Maine,” Feldman said. “That kid is quick and low to the ground. She is always asked to defend the opposing point guard because we like to put a lot of pressure there and she can do that. She is tenacious.”

Returning to her natural position has helped Bryce regain confidence in her offensive game, Feldman pointed out. For her efforts, Bryce was named recently to the ECAC honor roll.

She has had some outstanding games of late, especially against the University of Southern Maine a week ago.

That’s a game she always gets up for, Feldman said. Against USM, Bryce had 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. She shot 4-for-6 from the floor and 2-for-4 from the line. “Not bad for a 5-foot-3 guard,” Feldman said.

The physical education major currently holds four school records: most steals in a career, 159; most steals in a season, 80; most 3-point field goals in a career, 45; and most 3-point field goals in a game, four against Castleton State in 1990.

What makes Bryce an even better player, Feldman said, is how she approaches the game off-court.

“Melissa always comes back into the season in tip-top condition. She comes back from Christmas break in top condition. She prides herself on her fitness, and that makes a tremendous difference.”

Bryce and the Panthers hope to be at least 15-11 this year, Feldman said. In the LEC with Plymouth and USM are Eastern Connecticut, the University of Massachusetts-Boston, the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, and Rhode Island College.

“After USM, the competition is pretty even,” Feldman said. “I really think we can vie for the No. 2 spot.”

“That is our goal, and I think it is realistic even though we have five freshmen and one senior. We knew we would be struggling a little bit, but once everyone gets meshed together, and we play up to par, we can get in to the conference championship. It would be great way for Melissa to end her career.”