Kristin Baker grew up watching basketball phenom Cindy Blodgett and dreaming about playing at the University of Maine. Next winter, Baker will get that opportunity.

The 5-foot-5 point guard at Valley High School in Bingham has announced she plans to walk on at UMaine next fall.

“She’s far and away the best all-around basketball player Valley girls have ever produced,” said Cavaliers coach Gordon Hartwell.

“She demands perfection of herself all the time,” he added.

Black Bears coach Ann McInerney is prohibited by NCAA rules from commenting on Baker.

The 17-year-old is a lifelong fan of the Black Bears.

“Since I was little I always wanted to go to Maine,” said the BDN All-Maine third-team selection from last season.

“I know it’s a big jump [to Division I], but I’m ready to make the move,” she said.

Baker wears No. 14 in tribute to Blodgett, who is an assistant coach at Brown University and who tried to recruit her. Hartwell said Baker had numerous offers from Division II schools.

“I didn’t really want to leave the state,” Baker said.

Baker averaged 22 points, 4.5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals last season for Valley.

“She is a highly skilled, gritty, tough player who really has no weaknesses,” said Piscataquis coach Brian Gaw. “She does everything pretty well.”

Baker, who is on pace to become Valley’s all-time scoring leader, boys or girls, and the girls’ career assists leader, said playmaking ability is her forte.

“She’s a tremendous penetrator and she’s a great passer,” Hartwell said.

Baker, who is expected to be the valedictorian of her class, has other important qualities.

“People don’t realize how incredibly strong she is,” Hartwell said. “She’s a bull.

“She has the whole package, and that includes heart and desire.”

MMA players earn NEFW honor

Don Thibodeau and Joe Crowe of Maine Maritime Academy in Castine have been named to the 2005 New England Football Writers Division II-III All-New England team.

Thibodeau and Crowe are among 28 players representing 19 schools to earn recognition. Roddy Ames of Colby College in Waterville also was an All-New England selection.

The players will be honored during Thursday’s NEFW banquet in Randolph, Mass.

The organization also will bestow the George Carens Award on former MMA coach and athletic director Bill Mottola.

Thibodeau, a senior fullback from Shawmut, emerged as the New England Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder rushed for 1,531 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Thibodeau ranked second in Division III, averaging 170.1 yards per game. He netted 6.1 yards per carry.

Crowe, a 6-3, 270-pound senior offensive lineman from Gorham, was instrumental in paving the way for Thibodeau’s outstanding season.

Ames made 19 receptions for 223 yards and six touchdowns in Colby’s 7-1 season. Ames averaged 11.7 yards per catch.

The Carens Award, the most prestigious given by the NEFW, is presented for outstanding contributions to football. Mottola gave 37 years of service to MMA as a coach and administrator and its Mariner Athletics Hall of Fame is named in his honor.