Thibodeau signs on dotted line> Old Town star in UMaine’s fold, John Gordon expects full recovery

Corey Thibodeau has signed an NCAA Letter of Intent to play basketball at the University of Maine, and Black Bears coach Rudy Keeling believes the Old Town High School star can make an impact at the Division I level.

Thibodeau is an outstanding shooter, as evidenced by his 26.2-point scoring average last season, but Keeling points to other attributes as the keys to his future.

“He’s quick, he jumps well, and he’s adventurous. He’s got a little bit of Casey [Arena] in him in that he pushes the ball and tries to make things happen,” Keeling said. “I think he truly is a combination guard. He can play some point and he can play some off-guard. He’s good with the ball.”

Keeling projects Thibodeau as a shooting guard who has the potential to work at the point and possibly see some playing time there. He said the transition will depend upon Thibodeau’s ability to think like a point guard.

“He thinks shot. Right now, he doesn’t have a point guard mentality, but we hope we can get him to understand what a point guard does,” Keeling said.

Being a local star, Thibodeau has the potential to enhance the team’s fan support.

“I hope it challenges the fans to come out and take a look,” Keeling said. “You couldn’t have had a more exciting kid in the state tournament.”

UMaine freshman John Gordon is on the mend after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder three weeks ago. The procedure, which was performed by the Philadelphia Eagles’ team doctor, repaired a torn bicep tendon.

Gordon, a 5-foot-8 guard from Wilmington, Del., finished the season as the Bears’ leading scorer at 13.2 points per game, despite being plagued by shoulder problems for much of the season.

Gordon, who was named to the NAC All-Rookie Team, became the first UMaine freshman to lead the team in scoring since first-year players became eligible. He did so without starting a game.

Gordon is undergoing rehabilitation and will not be able to beging playing until August, according to Keeling. However, he is expected to make a full recovery.

Black Bears basketball guard Casey Arena is ready to begin his professional career and begins chasing that dream May 1 when he gets a tryout with the Portland Mountain Cats of the United States Basketball League.

Arena, a 6-foot-1 point guard, explained he is trying to finish up his school work and graduate so he can play pro ball. The USBL season ends in late June, when Arena plans to try out for a couple of professional teams in Spain.

“I’m excited,” said Arena, who hopes to use the Mountain Cats opportunity as a springboard for his European career. “If I can play for two months against some good competition, then I’ll go to Spain and try to make a team there.”

Former UMaine star Francois Bouchard is playing pro ball in France, and Arena looks forward to the chance at earning some money with his hoop skills.

Pierre Michaud of the University of Maine-Presque Isle finished the 1995-96 season as the NAIA Division III national leader in field-goal percentage. The junior forward from Madawaska connected on 113 of 159 field goals for a sparkling .711 shooting percentage.

Michaud averaged 13 points per game for the 17-7 Owls.

Sue Robbins of Belfast, the center fielder for Springfield College, is batting .386 with 15 RBIs and six doubles. Robbins has helped Springfield earn the No. 1 ranking in the NCAA Division III Northeast Poll.

Former John Bapst High basketball standout Jason Webster had a solid sophomore season playing for Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. The 6-foot-8 forward started 17 of 22 games, averaging 5.7 points and 4.7 rebounds for the 14-8 Bantams.