Ernest is player of year Temple native wins 2nd honor

The University of Maine women’s basketball team has gone to great lengths this season to make sure it doesn’t rely too heavily on the talents of senior Heather Ernest.

The Black Bears accomplished that goal, exhibiting good scoring balance and depth while earning the America East regular season championship for the second straight season.

Even so, America East coaches recognize Ernest’s value to the team. They have voted her as the America East Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Ernest was named to the All-America East first team while teammate Melissa Heon was a second-team choice for the second year in a row. Joi Jefferson of Northeastern was the Defensive Player of the Year, Stony Brook’s Jessica Smith earned Rookie-of-the-Year honors and Binghamton’s Rich Conover was chosen Coach of the Year.

The winners were announced during Wednesday’s league awards luncheon in Farmington, Conn.

Ernest didn’t expect to win the award again.

“That’s awesome, but I really wasn’t expecting it, to be honest, so it was kind of shocking,” said Ernest, who credited her teammates with helping make her so successful.

“It just goes to show how great a team we are,” she said. “These are the girls that I battle against every day and they are the ones who have made me a standout.”

The all-conference first team also includes Aaron Yantzi of Vermont, Boston University’s Katie Terhune, Rachel Laws of Binghamton and Albany’s Danielle Hutcheson. Heon is joined on the second team by Erika Messam of Hartford, Maren Matthias of New Hampshire, Maralene Zwarich of Northeastern and Stony Brook’s Sherry Jordan.

The third team consists of Kate Townley and Leala Wegwerth of Binghamton, Becky Bonner and Adrienne Norris of BU and Stony Brook’s Smith. The All-Rookie Team includes Mykeema Ford and Smith of Stony Brook, Ikea Witt of Hartford, Ray Williams of UNH and Northeastern’s Jody Burrows.

Ernest, a versatile forward from Temple, is the first player to win the honor in consecutive years since former UMaine star Cindy Blodgett accomplished the feat in 1996 and ’97.

The 6-foot-1 Ernest led UMaine in scoring (16.9 points per game), rebounding (8.5 rebounds per game) and steals 50). She ranked third in the conference in scoring, field-goal percentage (.480) and fourth in rebounding.

Ernest’s numbers actually were down slightly from last season in several statistical categories, but her impact was not diminished. She is a polished performer in the low post, but also can step outside and hit 3-pointers (.372).

One of her best attributes is her ability to run the floor in transition.

Ernest is relishing her experience at UMaine.

“We have the best situation you can possibly imagine,” Ernest said. “I wouldn’t wish myself anywhere else or with any other teammates or with any other coaching staff.”

Heon once again served as UMaine’s emotional leader on the court. Her tenacious defense helped set the tone for the team, while she also averaged 11.0 points and 4.4 rebounds, while racking up 71 assists and 42 steals and shooting 39 percent from 3-point range.