ORONO – Even though the season ended nearly three weeks ago, University of Maine women’s basketball coach Sharon Versyp has been busy lately.

Not only are the Black Bears hoping to land another recruit during the late signing period that begins April 11, Versyp is trying to finalize UMaine’s non-conference schedule for the 2001-02 season.

While Versyp would like to sign another shooting guard this spring, she is even more concerned about finding opponents for two more home games next winter.

And recent talk of America East allowing Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra and Towson – four teams that are scheduled to leave the conference to join the Colonial Athletic Association for 2002-03 – to make their exit after this school year have created concern.

The move could have severe scheduling implications.

“It’s been major havoc for us because right now we need two games,” Versyp said. “If they leave, we’ll need four games.”

The early departure of the four schools would force UMaine and other America East teams to scramble to fill the additional schedule vacancies. However, with very little information available about the proposed vote, Versyp isn’t going to panic.

Versyp did say UMaine would like to keep Hofstra on its schedule even after the Pride join the CAA.

The Bears have got a pretty good handle on next year’s schedule. They open the season at Southeastern Conference power Georgia, which finished the season 27-6 and was No. 3 in the most recent Rating Percentage Index compiled by Collegiate Basketball News.

The Dead River Company Classic in Orono will include Wisconsin-Green Bay (22-9, 93rd in RPI), Arkansas-Little Rock (5-22, 221st) and Fairleigh Dickinson (11-17, 267th). UMaine also will travel to tournaments at Rice in Houston, Texas, and at Stetson in Deland, Fla.

The Bears open the Rice tourney against George Washington (22-10, 28th) for the right to play either host Rice (18-12, 72nd) or North Carolina-Greensboro (22-8, 75th). At Stetson, UMaine squares off against Georgia Southern (21-7, 88th) and would meet either Stetson (22-7, 127th) or Montana State (16-9, 158th) in the other game.

The Bears also face a return trip to Fordham (5-23, 255th).

“Our schedule right now is pretty tough,” Versyp said. “I want to make sure we do the right thing for our program, [create] the right stepping stones. It’s very strategic planning when you’re looking at scheduling. I think you need to have a good balance.”

No post players in the offing

Versyp had hoped to acquire another center for next season, but was unable to find a suitable post player with the kind of size and skills needed to help make the Bears more effective next season.

Last fall, UMaine signed 6-foot-6 center Nicole Jay out of Matawan, N.J. It is hoped she can contribute next season along with veterans Anna James, Heather Ernest of Temple and Eva Moldre.

“There’s a lot of 6-foot undersized kids, but there’s not a lot of women that are 6-2 and above who can play the five [position] like most people want it played,” Versyp said. “I’m not going to get somebody just to use a scholarship.”

Versyp, who is not allowed to comment specifically on potential recruits, did say the Bears are competing with other schools for a couple of good shooters.

“We’re down to two kids and if we get one of them, great,” she said. “But we want to find the right fit.”

Pam Cruz cleared to start playing

Pam Cruz, who underwent knee surgery last summer after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament, is poised to begin her comeback in earnest.

Cruz, a 5-foot-8 guard from Huntsville, Ala., missed the entire 2000-01 season while undergoing rehabilitation on the knee.

“As of [Monday], she’s been cleared to do anything,” Versyp said. “She needs to get back into playing shape and it’s our job these next two months to really discipline her and get her into shape so when she does go home for the summer, she’s ready to go.”

Cruz played in 27 games as a freshman, averaging 1.8 points per game while providing tenacity and quickness on the defensive end.