Versyp stressing return to basics Bears preparing for two-game trip

The University of Maine women’s basketball team looks to regroup and refocus this week after going 1-1 in the Dead River Co. Classic at Alfond Arena in Orono.

The Black Bears are coming off Sunday’s 57-49 loss to Marquette during which they played outstanding defense but struggled on the offensive end.

Marquette presented a tough challenge with big, strong players in the paint and quick, talented guards who could shoot on the perimeter. While UMaine held its own, coach Sharon Versyp knows her team has plenty of work to do.

They’ll start by getting back to basics.

“We’re just going to do fundamental practice,” Versyp said of the approach for this week, when the Bears have a Friday game at Wisconsin-Green Bay and a Sunday contest at Drake in Iowa.

“We’re not going to work on anything except passing, catching, taking care of the ball, boxing out; kind of getting back into the very small fundamentals,” Versyp said.

UMaine still appears to be working on establishing an on-court identity. That task has been made more difficult because of the numerous players who are capable of contributing.

Versyp clearly is looking for more consistency from her three seniors and four juniors while she incorporates a handful of underclassmen into the mix. With the level of nonleague competition UMaine is facing this season, the Bears have to execute better to win.

“The kids have got to respond. They’ve got to decide if they’re going to keep playing with some heart and soul, which we need to,” Versyp said. “We don’t just want to compete and that’s all we’re doing is competing. We need to take it to that next level.”

UMaine suffered through some bouts of stagnancy on offense while shooting a season-low 32 percent (17-for-54) from the field against Marquette. The Golden Eagles bottled up forward Heather Ernest of Temple with an active 1-1-3 zone, which played a part in her 4-for-15 shooting performance.

Ernest shot 9-for-30 (.300) from the floor over the weekend, averaging 13 points and 8.5 rebounds to lead the team in both categories.

“There were a lot of talented players on Maine, but [Ernest’s] obviously, in our opinion, the heart and soul,” said Marquette coach Terri Mitchell. “We just wanted to throw a lot of people at her, try to wear her down, always have someone in her face.”

In the half-court game, the Bears need to find ways to boost their scoring production, especially when Ernest is bottled up. That likely will mean dribble penetration by point guards Kim Corbitt and Missy Traversi, shooting guard Melissa Heon and small forward Julie Veilleux.

3 Bears named All-New England

Marcus Williams, Pete Richardson and Brandon McGowan of the University of Maine football team have been named to the All-New England I-AA squad selected by the New England Football Writers.

Williams, a junior tailback from Amherst, Mass., overcame a torn knee ligament to become the first UMaine player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season twice. He netted 1,284 yards and 12 touchdowns on 248 carries (5.2 yards per carry), serving as the focal point of the UMaine offense.

Williams’ job was made easier by the efforts of Richardson, a senior tackle from Millinocket. Richardson, a 6-foot-6, 305-pounder, was a force up front for the Bears.

Both Richardson and Williams were All-Atlantic 10 first-team choices this fall.

McGowan, a junior free safety from Jersey City, N.J., earned recognition on the defensive team. The Atlantic 10 second-teamer led UMaine with 89 tackles, including 51 solos. He made an interception and recovered two fumbles.

The UMaine trio is among 17 Atlantic 10 players who will be honored Thursday at the annual NEFW Captains and Awards Banquet in Randolph, Mass.

Cassidy coaching at Methuen HS

Former UMaine women’s basketball standout Jamie Cassidy has moved into the coaching ranks.

Cassidy, who starred for the Bears from 1996-2000, then played briefly for the WNBA’s Miami Sol, has been hired as the head coach at Methuen (Mass.) High School.

The 25-year-old Cassidy will replace her former coach, Mimi Hyde, who is on a year’s leave of absence. Cassidy is third on UMaine’s all-time scoring list with 2,380 points and was a WBCA/Kodak District I All-American in 1999.