ORONO – When the 2000-2001 season began, most fans of the University of Maine women’s basketball team weren’t thinking much about whether the Black Bears would be making a seventh straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Instead, the question was more along the lines of, “Do you think they’ll finish above or below .500?”

The skepticism was understandable.

UMaine had lost five of its top seven players from last season and had hired rookie head coach Sharon Versyp to replace Michigan State-bound Joanne Palombo-McCallie.

For the first time in several years, the perennially powerful Bears weren’t even being mentioned among the top three or four contenders in America East.

Nearly four months later, league opponents aren’t likely to be taking UMaine for granted. At press time, with one regular-season game remaining, the Bears sported a solid but unspectacular 12-14 overall record, including a 9-8 conference mark.

However, when the America East Championship begins March 9 at Patrick Gym in Burlington, Vt., nobody is likely to be overlooking this young UMaine ballclub.

All for one – and eight is all

UMaine heads into the postseason with its smallest roster in recent memory, eight players. Knee injuries ended the career and season of Martina Tinklova and Pam Cruz, respectively.

On Christmas Day, sophomore Christy Grover left the team citing chronic foot problems. Junior guard Lacey Stone was dismissed from the team in January after violating team rules. And Erica Sobel, on loan from the softball team, returned to play shortstop in February.

That left the Bears to make their stretch run with eight players, including three freshmen and two sophomores. With one regular-season game remaining, all UMaine had done was win eight of its last 11 games to put itself in position to claim fourth place in the conference standings.

If there’s one thing the small squad size has done, it’s help the players develop a strong bond.

“We can all fit in an elevator at a hotel, or we can all fit at a table in a restaurant,” quipped junior co-captain Tracy Guerrette. “Everybody’s so close together, off and on the court. We all know our roles now and we’re all getting better at our roles.”

While the tight-knit group continues to exhibit outstanding chemistry on and off the court, small numbers could present some playoff problems for the Bears. Not only can UMaine not afford to get into foul trouble, any hopes of making a run at the America East title means the Bears would have to deal with the fatigue of playing three consecutive days.

At this point the lack of depth, especially in the frontcourt, is a fact of life. But they’re there for each other.

“I love playing with these girls,” said senior co-captain Kizzy Lopez. “It’s a sense of family.”

Bustin’ out in Burlington

UMaine goes into the league tournament with a fairly high level of confidence. The Bears have beaten seven of their nine league opponents at least once, with No. 1 seed Delaware and Boston University being the exceptions.

One of the major factors is UMaine’s balance. While freshman forward Heather Ernest of Temple has been the leading scorer (13.8 points) and rebounder (10.6) all season, the Bears have several offensive weapons.

Of the eight players on the roster, seven have scored at least 16 points in a game this season and four of them have connected for 22 or more points at least once. Sophomore Anna James (5.7 ppg), noted for her outstanding post defense, is capable of scoring in the lane.

UMaine has ample weapons at the guard and forward spots as Guerrette (6.1 ppg), freshman Melissa Heon (6.1 ppg), and sophomore Ellen Geraghty (8.1 ppg) all are capable of knocking down 3-pointers. Heon is a quick slasher, while Geraghty can utilize her speed to beat opponents down the floor and to the basket.

Lopez (11.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and freshman Julie Veilleux of Augusta (7.8 ppg) handle the small forward role for the Bears, although Lopez is strong and polished enough to play with her back to the basket on the offensive end to help take some of the pressure off Ernest and James.

However, Lopez and Veilleux also are capable of beating opponents off the dribble and attacking the basket or stepping outside the arc and hitting a 3-pointer.

Junior center Eva Moldre is the Bears’ backup in the post, where she takes advantage of her size and strength.

Bringing out the best

If there is one element this team possesses, it is chemistry.

In stark contrast to last season, when UMaine was overly dependent upon one or two players for its offensive production, the Bears have gradually developed their offense to bring out the best attributes of each player, depending upon the situation.

Versyp has implemented a motion offense which, if properly executed, is capable of exploiting opponents’ defensive weaknesses. The philosophy helps explain why UMaine has had such a variety of scoring leaders over the course of the season.

It also has fostered a sense of worthiness among the players, who all seem to realize their contributions are valuable to the success of the team.

Mission impossible?

When UMaine takes the court next Thursday afternoon at Patrick Gym, the team will begin its quest to achieve what at the beginning of the season might have seemed unthinkable: winning the America East championship and earning another trip to the NCAA Tournament.

In a preseason vote, league coaches picked UMaine to finish sixth among the 10 teams. Under the circumstances, it probably was a fair evaluation of the Bears’ prospects for the season.

However, this Black Bear team cannot be counted out. It has too much determination, heart, and talent not to be considered a threat to knock off one of the higher-seeded teams.

All season, Versyp has found ways to bring out the best in her players at key times. With the pressure of winning the tournament squarely on the likes of Delaware and host Vermont, UMaine should be able to take more of a nothing-to-lose approach in its run for the title.

If the Bears play their best basketball of the season in Burlington, they may defy the odds and continue UMaine’s NCAA tradition.