Husson features experience, depth Eagles should be a NAC title threat

BANGOR – It has been a reunion of sorts this fall for the seniors on the Husson College women’s basketball team.

Holly Gracie of Frankfort returns after missing last season – and having a baby, a son, Grayson. Calais native Crystal Martin is back in the fold after sitting out 2005-06.

Adding those two dynamic guards to a senior nucleus that already includes 6-foot-1 center Annie McIntosh of New Gloucester, swing player Carmen Ballard of Skowhegan and forward Jodie Merchant of Ellsworth could make the Eagles a legitimate threat to challenge for the North Atlantic Conference title.

“It feels like we’ve come full circle now, having everybody back, and we’re real strong,” McIntosh said. “We know how each other play.”

Coach Kissy Walker looks to that talented and experienced group to set the tone for a 1-1 Husson squad, which plays Bates College of Lewiston tonight at 7 in Newman Gym.

“I think this year we can be fighting for [the championship], but I do think that [UMaine]-Farmington and Maine Maritime are tough as well,” Walker said. “I think we have all the pieces, it’s just a matter of putting it together and keeping everybody healthy and happy.”

Ballard is Husson’s top returning scorer, averaging 12.2 points per game and 6.7 rebounds last winter. Merchant (11.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg) and McIntosh (6.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg) were other key contributors.

“Carmen and Jodie, they’re kind of the foundation of the team,” Walker said. “They’ve been here from Day 1 four years ago. They’ve kind of been through everything.”

Gracie, who is on pace to become Husson’s No. 2 career scorer, should provide an offensive boost. Martin, a tenacious defender and offensive threat, likely won’t play until the second semester after breaking her right hand while trying to dunk during a preseason event.

Sophomore guard Jenny Rollins of Corinth (8.8 ppg) is another veteran returnee.

The Eagles’ talent quotient got another boost with the addition of former Lee Academy star Shelby Pickering. The sophomore guard/forward played soccer at the University of Maine during 2005-06 and also practiced with the Black Bears basketball team.

“She’s relentless,” Walker said. “She keeps working her way in there and keeps fighting.”

The Eagles welcome back sophomores Laura Archer of Ellsworth, Michelle Barden of St. Albans and Chelsea Dow of Trenton. The freshman class is made up of guards Chere Wickstrom of Bangor, Brandi Winters of Penobscot and Jennifer Plourde of Howland and forwards Lindsay Barnes of Owls Head, Ashley Bragdon and Alyssa Bragdon of Newport and Kristin Richards of Rockport.

Senior Ashley Hichborn of Carmel, a transfer from UM-Fort Kent, also is on the team.

Husson features the largest squad in Walker’s 16 seasons. There are 18 players on the final roster after 24 people initially tried out.

“In 16 years I’d never had to make a cut,” Walker said.

“Last year we had like 12 or 13 and that seemed like a lot, so having 18-19 is kind of overwhelming,” McIntosh said. “Practices are a little slower trying to get everybody into everything, but it’s good.”

Having such a diverse roster also creates additional challenges for the coaches.

“My biggest concern is the team chemistry because we’ve got so many people,” Walker said. “I know I can’t keep them all happy [with playing time], so we’ve been talking a lot about roles and making sure everybody understands their roles.”