MMA’s Alyssa Burns leads MWBCA scorers Bowdoin Athletic Hall member Phil Soule dies

As part of its effort to promote women’s basketball in the state, the Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Association selects a list of weekly award winners and publishes team and individual statistics for its members.

The organization caters to all the state’s NCAA Division III and NAIA programs.

As we move toward the midpoint of the 2005-06 season, here are a few facts about some of Maine’s top small-college teams and players, with the numbers cited including games played through Jan. 14.

The top scorer in the MWBCA ranks is Alyssa Burns of Maine Maritime Academy in Castine. The 6-foot swing player from Dixfield is averaging 18.1 points per game through 11 contests for coach Craig Dagan’s 9-2 Mariners.

Burns, a junior at MMA, is in her second season with the program after giving up a scholarship after one season at Division II American International College (Mass.).

Burns also ranks fourth among MWBCA players with 2.7 steals per outing.

Among the most complete players in Maine is Meg Coffin of Bates. The 6-1 junior center has sparked the Bobcats to an 11-5 record, including last Friday’s upset of highly ranked Bowdoin in Lewiston.

Coffin is the state’s leading rebounder with 10.8 per game and also heads the steals list with 2.9 per contest.

Coffin is the No. 3 scorer (17.1 ppg) on the strength of a .582 field-goal percentage (second) and she is second in blocked shots with 1.5 per game.

If you’re looking for the freshman making the biggest impact this season, look no further than Thomas College in Waterville. There, freshman Toby Martin of Wayne has made a smooth transition from Maranacook High of Readfield to the college game.

Martin, a 5-3 guard for the 7-6 Terriers, is the No. 2 scorer in the MWBCA with 17.7 ppg and has helped her team put up a state-best 75.5 ppg. She is second with 2.8 steals per game and also ranks seventh in free-throw percentage at .797.

In the team statistics, Bowdoin College of Brunswick is setting the tone defensively, giving up only 48.8 points on 32 percent shooting by its opponents.

Coach Stefanie Pemper’s Polar Bears (12-2) are outscoring opponents by an average of 25.7 points, having scored 74.7 ppg.

Speaking of offense, the University of Southern Maine in Gorham checks in as the best overall shooting team in the MWBCA. Coach Gary Fifield’s Huskies (14-1) are connecting on 44 percent of their shots from the field and are converting 73 percent of their free throws.

USM is third in 3-point shooting percentage – behind Husson College of Bangor (.375) and Bowdoin (.332) – at .324.

Bowdoin mourns loss of Soule

The Bowdoin College athletic community this week is mourning the loss of longtime coaching staff member Phil Soule.

Soule, 64, died Sunday as the result of an accidental fall in Vermont.

Soule was a significant presence at the Brunswick institution for almost 40 years. He joined the Bowdoin staff in 1967 after teaching English and coaching several sports at Fryeburg Academy.

Soule became a staple as an offensive and defensive line coach for the Polar Bears football team. He also held numerous other coaching positions at Bowdoin, including stints as the head coach for wrestling, baseball and squash.

Soule was an assistant coach in track and field and lacrosse.

In 2004, Soule was inducted into the Bowdoin College Athletic Hall of Honor along with his father, William (Class of 1936), and brothers Paul (’66), Morton (’68) and James (’77), all of whom were outstanding athletes for the Polar Bears.

Phil Soule, a nation champion canoe racer and ultramarathoner, lived in Brunswick with his wife Maureen. The couple attended numerous Bowdoin home athletic contests.

The University of Maine graduate had a distinguished football career with the Black Bears. He was twice named an All-Maine offensive lineman.

As a high school athlete, Soule set the state record in the shot put during a meet held at Bowdoin’s Whittier Field.

Soule is survived by four children and 10 grandchildren.

Funeral services are scheduled for today at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Brunswick.