Trenkle settles in nicely at Bowdoin Smith, Nickerson also contributing for Pemper’s surging Polar Bears (8-0)

Lora Trenkle enjoys the campus atmosphere and friendly setting at Bowdoin College in Brunswick.

And while she initially wasn’t sure what the transition from George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill to the small liberal arts college might entail, Trenkle has found it a stimulating setting both academically and athletically.

Trenkle, a sophomore from Surry, is one of three former Eastern Maine stars who are playing key roles on the Bowdoin women’s basketball team that is off to an 8-0 start and is ranked No. 6 in the country in Division III.

Trenkle and freshman Alison Smith of Stockton Springs and Bangor High School are starters, while frosh Erika Nickerson of Benton (Lawrence High) is contributing coming off the bench.

“We’re playing really well right now,” Trenkle said Wednesday.

“It’s been great playing with people from your own state and going to school in Maine,” she added.

Southern Maine, Husson and Saint Joseph’s have garnered much of the attention among Maine’s Division III teams in recent years. These days, Bowdoin may be the state’s best small-college squad.

Last season, coach Stefanie Pemper directed Bowdoin to a 21-8 record, the New England Small College Athletic Conference title and a spot in the NCAA Division III “Sweet 16.”

“We’ve had a lot of firsts in Bowdoin history the last couple of years,” said Pemper, in her fourth season guiding the Polar Bears.

Trenkle, a 5-foot-9 guard, has been instrumental in Bowdoin’s resurgence. The two-time NEWS All-Maine second-team performer at GSA is averaging a team-leading 15.7 points per game along with 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals.

“Lora is one of the most talented players in the nation in Division III,” Pemper said. “She can hit the 3-[pointer], hit the pull-up jumper and can take it to the hole. She’s the full package.”

Trenkle is shooting 43 percent from the field, including 36 percent from 3-point range, and is connecting on 79 percent of her free throws while playing a team-high 29.3 minutes per game.

Playing college ball has required much more thinking as opposed to the run-and-gun high school style.

“In college basketball, you really need to play smart and be smart about the game,” said Trenkle, who also has stepped up her defense.

She is following up a freshman season during which she was named the NESCAC Rookie of the Year and an all-conference second-team selection. Trenkle averaged 13.4 points while shooting a league-best 88 percent from the foul line.

“She’s one of those players you could tell she was ready to be a college player,” Pemper said of the Trenkle, who plays shooting guard and shares point guard duties with senior Jessie Mayol.

“I feel comfortable playing either position,” said Trenkle, who plans to major in government. “I’ve had to work on creating space between me and the defender and going hard to the basket.”

Smith has made an immediate impact during her freshman season. The former two-time All-Maine pick out of Bangor High has worked her way into a starting role at Bowdoin.

The 5-9 Smith is playing the small-forward spot, where she’s averaging 4.1 points and 4.5 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per contest. Smith leads the Polar Bears with 15 steals.

“She’s given us great defense,” Pemper said. “She’s real good in the post as a guard. She’s very quick and very strong and she can jump. People don’t realize what a great athlete she is.”

Smith averaged 19.4 points and 10.2 rebounds last season for coach Tom Tennett’s Bangor Rams on her way to a NEWS All-Maine second-team spot.

Pemper said Smith is working to improve her outside shot in order to become harder to defend.

“She’s got great leadership skills for a freshman. The women on the team just adore her,” Pemper said.

Nickerson, a 6-foot forward, also has worked her way into the mix for the Polar Bears. The former Lawrence High standout has contributed 4.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while averaging 15.6 minutes of action.

Pemper is pleased to have such a strong contingent of Maine players on her squad. Bowdoin also features Mayol of Westbrook and Kristi Royer of Lewiston.

Bowdoin moves into its NESCAC its schedule on Jan. 25. Instate rivals Colby and Bates are expected to be among its toughest competition.