Blodgett has become this state’s basketball ambassador

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It has been only five years since Cindy Blodgett burst onto the Maine basketball scene in 1990 as a freshman at Lawrence High School in Fairfield.

Ever since, the rhythmic cadence of Blodgett dribbling a basketball on the hardwood and her uncanny scoring touch have mesmerized and unified Maine basketball fans of all ages.

Much in the way the Pied Piper of fairy-tale fame hypnotized the children of Hamlin with his music, Blodgett’s basketball mystique has countless young players lining up behind her.

Lisa Blais of Westbrook and Joanne Palombo of Brunswick were the first to set the standard in modern Maine girls basketball — since the Maine Principals’ Association began sanctioning schoolgirl tournaments in 1975.

More recently, former UMaine stars Rachel Bouchard of Farmingdale, Emily Ellis of Thorndike, Julie Treadwell of Orono, and Liz Coffin of Portage have been the pace setters. Some went out of state, including Marcie Lane of Augusta, who played at New Hampshire, and Portland’s Sharon Bay, who starred at Vermont.

Blodgett is bigger than all of them, and Maine basketball coaches and observers heartily agree that she has singlehandedly changed how people look at women’s basketball.

No question but she’s put girls basketball up front, said Bob Butler of York, who compiles the Heal point standings for the MPA and who has followed Maine high school basketball for almost 50 years.

She had the whole state interested. I’d have to say she was No. 1, maybe ahead of the boys, (in terms of her impact as a high school player,) Butler said.

Ambassador for women’s game

Last season, Blodgett continued her hoop magic at the Division I level, leading coach Palombo-McCallie’s University of Maine squad to a 24-6 record and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance. She has become the ambassador of the women’s game in Maine.

She has put a lot of focus on girls basketball, especially the University of Maine, said longtime Stearns of Millinocket coach Jerry Burleigh. It’s definitely a positive factor. I think the kids in our area aspire to be like her, because there’s only going to be one Cindy Blodgett.

Blodgett’s ability to captivate Mainers was never more evident than during her freshman season at UMaine. The Black Bears’ home attendance skyrocketed from an average of 1,393 fans per game to 3,598 per contest.

That’s an increase of 2,205 fans per game, the second-largest attendance gain in women’s college basketball last season. It also meant a six-figure boost for the UMaine athletic budget.

“People who maybe don’t even know a lick about basketball are watching her just because she’s fun to watch,” said Old Town High School girls basketball coach Garry Spencer.

Sure, UMaine was coming off a 20-7 season before the 1994-95 season and there was reason for optimism, but hope was transformed into fervor once Blodgett stepped onto the court.

She has helped make basketball in the state of Maine for young ladies much more exciting, said Rockland girls coach Terry Kenniston. Because of the exposure she’s been able to create, it’s having an impact from one end of the state to the other.

Young players’ heroine

Many young players look up to Blodgett as their hoop heroine. Kylie Allen, a junior at Waterville High, came to appreciate Blodgett’s talent after playing against her two years ago.

I didn’t really idolize her until after I played against her, said Allen, a freshman at the time. I was guarding her, but after she scored the first 10 , coach decided to switch. Cindy scored her 30 points and sat out the second half.

Ever since, Allen has collected Blodgett memorabilia and followed her career intently. Her dream is to play alongside Blodgett (related story).

Allen is not alone. Blodgett has had a profound effect on Maine youngsters who are setting loftier goals because Blodgett has raised the standard.

While playing Division I ball may be only a dream for many, Blodgett seems to have made players believe that is a more reachable goal because she is recognizable and accessible.

Males have tried to model themselves after their heroes in the pros, said Tom Berry, the girls coach at Southern Aroostook of Dyer Brook. The closest thing the girls have is to look at some of the college players. Blodgett has added an air of legitimacy to girls basketball which I think was sort of lacking before. The kids never saw anyone make it to the bigs before.

Blodgett, who was named the North Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Year, last summer played in the U.S. Olympic Festival in Denver. There, she led her team to the title and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Big stars from small towns

Blodgett has proven that a player from a small town in Maine can earn national prominence.

Every level, she moves up, said Calais girls coach Bob McShane. She just proves it again and proves it against the best players in the nation. She can just flat-out play with anybody.

For UMaine, Blodgett’s presence has generated the kind of national media attention recruiters can’t buy when trying to sell their programs. Sports Illustrated is preparing a story on the Blodgett-led Bears after focusing on Blodgett last year.

More importantly, she has helped make Maine an easy choice for the state’s budding high school players.

As a top women’s player in Maine, why would you want to go anywhere else? Spencer said. The program is so good that it recruits itself and Cindy has had a lot to do with that.

Coaches from every corner of the state say Blodgett is a frequent topic of conversation among their players — on and off the court.

I think girls basketball, partly because of Cindy, is growing in its popularity, said McShane, who sees the proliferation of the 3-point shot in the girls game as one of Blodgett’s key influences.

Everybody knows Cindy and we follow the (UMaine) team real closely, McShane said.

Statewide impact

Even in Westbrook, where Blue Blazes senior Brianna Fecteau is among the state’s top college recruits, Blodgett has made a significant impact.

I think everyone is just kind of rooting for her, said Westbrook coach Ben Palubinskas. A lot of people down in this area have kind of adopted her, also. She’s done a lot for basketball.

More than generating interest in girls basketball, Blodgett’s skills seem to be inspiring younger players to strive for excellence. By studying her, they are learning more about the game.

You’ll hear kids say, `Jeez, did you see that shot she made or did you see her do that?’ said Old Town’s Spencer. It’s causing the kids to actually think about the game, to maybe go out in the yard and try one of her moves.

And while her basketball skills and work ethic are superb, those who have met Blodgett respect her even more as a person.

She was really nice. She liked to talk to us about what we do in our spare time, said Angela Berry of Millinocket, who attended a UMaine hoop camp that Blodgett worked at last summer. I think she’s a good role model.

Blodgett is difficult, if not impossible, to imitate. Yet, she has Mainers keenly following women’s basketball in record numbers.

And, in the driveways and on the playgrounds, Maine youngsters are dribbling, shooting and passing in hopes of capturing even a moment of the excitement Blodgett has created on the basketball court.