Vachon’s poise perfect> UM point guard lifts teammates, sinks opponents

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Norfolk, Va.; March 12, 1999.

The University of Maine women’s basketball team is poised against Stanford to win its first NCAA Tournament game.

With the game tied and the final 37 seconds ticking down, junior point guard Amy Vachon sets up the UMaine offense for the potential game-winning play. Sensing the timing isn’t right, she instead opts to pull the ball out and reset.

With 20 seconds left, Vachon feeds teammate Jamie Cassidy, whose shot misses. Martina Tinklova is left open as the defense collapses on Cassidy. She rebounds, is fouled, and makes two free throws. UMaine wins 60-58.

Vachon’s split-second decision, made under tremendous pressure, makes the difference.

“How many point guards have a clear head like that, who are going to take their time, reset, and handle the ball while [Stanford’s] Milena Flores is all over her?” asked UMaine coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie. “She recognized the timing was off. I think Amy thrives off pressure and those challenges.”

More than meets the eye

In spite of an average build and ordinary athletic attributes, Vachon has set new standards in three seasons at UMaine.

The effervescent guard from Augusta owns the school career assists record with 550 and needs only 56 more to break the America East mark. Vachon led the conference with a lofty 8.1 assists-per-game average last season, ranking fourth in the nation.

While at first glance she may not wow opponents, Vachon quickly proves there’s more to her than first meets the eye.

“If you look at her from a physical standpoint, she doesn’t intimidate anybody, but I think her knowledge of the game is excellent,” said Delaware coach Tina Martina. “She knows what needs to be done and has proven she can get it done.”

The 5-foot-7 playmaker also has been among the Bears’ most durable performers, averaging 30.3 minutes per game for her career, including 34.1 last season. Her tireless hustle, selfless attitude, basketball knowledge, and court instincts have made her one of the most effective point guards ever at UMaine.

Vachon also boasts career averages of 6.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.3 steals.

“When I walk down the street, people have no idea. They would never, ever guess [I’m a Division I player],” Vachon said with her ever-present smile. “I never let it bother me. You need to set your goals as high as you can, because then if you fall short, at least you fall short trying.”

Playing ball the Cony way

Vachon was introduced to the game at age 6 by her father, Paul Vachon, then the girls varsity basketball coach at Messalonskee High School in Oakland.

In the early years, Vachon often played with older girls, which forced her to push her skills to a higher level. She also benefited from playing alongside her twin brother Aaron on YMCA teams.

Under her father’s watchful eye, Vachon was taught to master dribbling skills and to play unselfishly. Those two elements were critical to the success of Paul Vachon’s later teams at Cony High, where Marcie Lane, Meaghan Lane, Becky Demos, and Lisa Morang became Amy’s hoop heroines.

“Dribbling and ballhandling is a big part of our program,” coach Vachon explained. “I tell my kids to have in their mind that there isn’t anybody in the country that can take the ball away from them.”

Cony’s offensive philosophy played a pivotal role in Vachon’s development as a guard who sparkled in fast-break situations. And while it might seem a potentially stressful situation, Vachon said playing for her father was exactly what she needed.

“It was an awesome experience. I wouldn’t have wanted to play for anyone else,” said Vachon, who called him “dad” rather than “coach.” “He expected a lot not only out of myself but out of my teammates. He was hard on all of us.”

While there were seldom, if ever, any set plays at Cony, the free-lance approach enabled Vachon to recognize situations and appreciate the value of beating the opposition down the floor.

“I pride myself the most on my ability to see the floor when I’m out there,” she said. “I enjoy getting someone the ball when they’re open, making a good pass.”

Therein lies the key to Vachon’s success.

The Division I experience

Vachon’s unselfishness translated perfectly to the college game, especially since there were plenty of other offensive-minded players in the fold at UMaine. She was a good complement to former high school nemesis and future pro Cindy Blodgett, in whose shadow she toiled her first two seasons.

While the majority of UMaine’s instate recruits wind up serving as role players, Vachon has been a key cog in the program almost since her arrival in Orono.

Among the major adjustments for Vachon were learning to run an offensive scheme with predetermined plays and playing for a coach other than her father. Palombo immediately recognized Vachon had a willingness to learn and an infectious, fun-loving personality.

“She is a tremendous person to coach and an excellent floor leader,” Palombo said. “I would say she’s the most underrated player ever to play at Maine. Amy has been willing to fulfill whatever role has been asked of her.”

Vachon played mostly at the shooting guard spot as a freshman, then handled much of the point-guard duties as a sophomore. Last season, with the exception of the two games she missed with a concussion, Vachon handled a tremendous amount of pressure, culminating with the second-round loss to Old Dominion in the NCAA tournament.

“I’m very confident and I feel like if I’m in the game, we have the best chance to succeed. I enjoyed every minute of it,” said Vachon, who overcame the pressure to lead America East with a 1.9 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Vachon’s skills are numerous, but she has earned a reputation as a point guard who can maneuver through defensive pressure, put the ball in her teammates’ hands in the perfect spot, and play aggressive defense.

And while she doesn’t have blistering speed off the dribble, Vachon is adept at using her body to shield defenders from stealing the ball while also maintaining her dribble to avoid getting trapped.

“There’s better athletes out there, but she gives Maine that competitive spark that has really enabled them to develop their tradition,” said Drexel coach Kevin Murphy. “She’s established Maine basketball at the next level. This is the year Amy’s going to define her legacy to Maine basketball.”

Bringing out the best in everyone

In contrast to her predecessor Blodgett, whose stellar career was built around creating shots for herself, Vachon has carved a niche by fostering team chemistry, on the court and off.

“The most classic type of great player is one who elevates their teammates, makes them better,” Palombo said. “She loves to play and she loves to make her teammates better. That’s a very powerful combination.”

One of the primary beneficiaries of Vachon’s playmaking talents is classmate Jamie Cassidy, who has fed off Vachon’s ability to get her the ball.

“Every post player wants to have a great point guard, somebody to get them the ball,” Cassidy said. “Honestly, there’s no other point guard in the country I’d rather play with. I trust her. Amy knows when I want [the ball], where I want it.”

Delaware’s Martin, who has attempted to devise ways to limit UMaine’s offensive effectiveness, said Vachon’s knowledge of the game and her ability to react to situations make the Bears tough to defend.

“She has a good feel for her teammates and what their strengths are,” Martin said. “That’s exactly what you want from your leader. No matter what we throw at them, she seems to pick it apart.”

Vachon does have the ability to score, either off penetration or from beyond the 3-point arc.

Her experience at UMaine has been so enjoyable because of her teammates, especially seniors Kristen McCormick, Katie Clark, and Cassidy. The quartet strives to have fun while working hard.

“It’s hard for most of us to go out there and be totally serious and not have a good time,” Vachon said. “We know where to draw the line. To finish out our last year together is going to be really exciting.”

Reaching for the stars

Vachon relishes the opportunity to play for UMaine, where she is studying elementary education in hopes of becoming a guidance counselor.

“I get to play for my own state and my house is an hour down the road,” Vachon said. “I’m glad I came here, because I never, ever, would have had the opportunities I’ve gotten if I had gone somewhere else.”

Just as many observers might initially underestimate Vachon’s basketball savvy, only the Bears themselves seem to believe they are capable of going far beyond the first round of the NCAAs this season.

“We have to keep building upon it,” Vachon said of the Stanford win. “People don’t think we can do it, but it doesn’t matter what other people think as long as we set our goals high and stay within ourselves.”