Caterina makes return to Maine with Wildcats Former Deering star now junior at UNH

It has been awhile since Jamaal Caterina has played basketball in the state of Maine as a member of a school’s squad.

“It’s my first ever as a college player, and it’s been four years since I played a high school game here,” said the former two-time BDN All-Maine first-team selection who last played in the Pine Tree State as a senior star for Deering High School of Portland.

Sunday afternoon, the 2000-2001 Maine Mr. Basketball award winner returns to try to help lead his University of New Hampshire Wildcats to a win over the University of Maine in a key 1 p.m. America East conference game at Alfond Arena.

Caterina’s road back to Maine was circuitous one as he attended Brewster Academy in N.H. to play prep school ball for a year and then signed on with American University in Washington, D.C. Two years later, Caterina needed a change and transferred to UNH.

“I just felt like I needed a change and my mother and I knew coach [Phil] Rowe, so I came here,” he explained.

That was the fall of 2004. After Caterina sat out that season as a Division I transfer, Rowe was fired and replaced with former East Carolina head coach Bill Herrion.

“It’s a different situation with the coaches, philosophy-wise, but they’ve given me a chance and I’ve been able to become a factor on the team,” said the 6-foot-6 junior forward.

Caterina has played in all 25 games this season and started 20 of them. He’s averaging 5.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 22 minutes a game and is coming off a career-best 11 rebounds to go with nine points against Stony Brook University.

“Just the fact that I got a fresh start here has really worked out for me,” Caterina said. “I’m happy here.”

Caterina is not your typical forward, as he plays inside without relying on physical power and is also able to match up well with small forwards and guards because of his athletic ability and versatility.

“I have quickness and ability to still get the job done on bigger guys, but I do it by getting around or between them,” Caterina explained.

Basically, Caterina does for UNH what former Bangor High star Joe Campbell did for Maine the last three years.

“Our coach really emphasizes defense, so that’s the first thing I’m supposed to give off the bench,” he explained. “On offense, I’ve never really been a change-maker because I let the offense come to me or take what other teams give me.”

Sunday, he’ll be helping UNH try to take a win out of Alfond.