UMaine confirms 3 signees Bears open tonight against Kent State

Abby Schrader thought she would really enjoy attending college in Boston, where one of her cousins goes to Boston College.

Instead, she’s headed for a place she referred to affectionately as “Hickville.”

Aside from the prospects of making the nine-hour drive from New Jersey to Orono, Schrader is excited about becoming a member of the University of Maine women’s basketball team.

Schrader, a 6-1 center, is among three players who signed National Letters of Intent Wednesday to attend UMaine on basketball scholarships starting next fall.

Katie Whittier of Gray-New Gloucester High and Kara Hickman of Huntingtown, Md., also signed to play for coach Sharon Versyp’s Black Bears, the university confirmed Thursday.

All three have been rated among the top 250 players in the country according to The All-Star Girls Report, a national recruiting guide.

“The people are just great,” Schrader said of the UMaine team and coaching staff. “Women’s basketball is it up there. I wanted to go somewhere where I wouldn’t just be a number and nobody would know about the team.”

Schrader averaged 17.5 points, 13.8 rebounds and six blocked shots last season, shooting 62 percent from the floor at Point Pleasant Boro, N.J.

“She has good hands, sees the floor exceptionally well, can block shots and finishes around the basket,” Versyp said.

The 5-9 Hickman was named to the Washington Post Southern Maryland first team after averaging 16 points, 5.5 rebounds and five assists at Calvert High in Prince Frederick, Md.

“She is a lefthanded player who can drive to the basket very well but also has a smooth shot,” Versyp said. “Her quickness and athletic ability allow her to be a very tenacious defender and a good rebounder.”

Whittier, a 6-2 post player, was a first-team all-conference selection last season, averaging 16 points, 13 rebounds and 4.3 blocked shots while leading the Patriots to the Western Maine Class B title.

“Katie runs the floor better than anyone I have seen in a long time,” Versyp said. “Her physical play in the paint, as well as her long arms, allows her to block shots and finish well around the basket.”

Bears play ‘Homecoming’ game

The UMaine women’s basketball team will make a rare “home” appearance in Augusta tonight when the Black Bears open their season against Kent State.

Sophomores Julie Veilleux of Augusta and Heather Ernest of Temple will enjoy a homecoming of sorts while playing closer to their high school fan base. Veilleux starred at Cony High in Augusta, while Ernest is a product of Mt. Blue High in Farmington.

“We were hoping we could play in Orono, but hopefully we’ll get 4 or 5,000 fans to come out,” said UMaine coach Sharon Versyp, who expects the opener to be the first step in the Bears’ season-long improvement.

“They’re ready to play and get our season going,” Versyp said. “The learning curve, I believe, is going to be very high because we’re so young.”

Kent State is expected to be a quality opponent and the neutral court takes away some of the home advantage the Bears might have enjoyed at Alfond Arena.

“It’s going to be a very tough test right off the bat and I think it’s great,” Versyp said. “It’s definitely going to give us a measuring stick.