Bradford key cog for Husson

Despite a largely veteran presence, the 2006-07 version of the Husson College men’s basketball team has been a work in progress in the regular season.

Even as late as three months into the season, head coach Warren Caruso was not only still tinkering with his rotations and substitutions, he was altering his starting lineup.

That all changed in mid-January with the insertion of freshman guard Brock Bradford into the starting five.

“Inserting him in the starting lineup in January was one of the last changes we made and we’ve played very well since,” said Caruso after his Eagles dismantled Thomas College Tuesday night. “We’ve played with a bunch of different rotations and tweaked our lineup a few times since the last time we played them, but I think we’re really deep now.”

The Eagles have gone 7-1 in games Bradford has started and are riding a six-game win streak. His promotion to starter means the Eagles have a traditional starting five of a center (6-foot-6 freshman Martin Cleveland of Portland), two forwards (6-4 senior Tyler Muzzy of Greenville and 6-6 sophomore Scott Kissinger) and two guards (Bradford and 5-11 Jason Harvey of Bucksport).

Bradford doesn’t feel more pressure as a starter. Actually, it’s quite the opposite.

“It’s great. There’s not the pressure you feel that every time you touch the ball, you have to do something with it,” said the Kenduskeag native. “We have a lot of different weapons and no matter who comes on, they can score and do something great.

“This is a lot of fun to be part of because there are so many targets to pass to.”

Bradford’s stats (6.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game) won’t blow anyone away, but there’s no arguing with his overall positive effect on the team.

“Brock does so many things for the team. He knows how to play the game, understands what he can and can’t do, and he does what he can do very well,” said Harvey. “We have so many guys who can do so many things, we don’t look for any one person to do it all. Brock just kinds of chips in and does very well all around.”

Bradford is listed as 6-1 and 170 pounds, but that 170 still seems a stretch even if he’s soaking wet. Still, there’s a lot of talent in that lean frame.

“He has great instincts for the game and makes very good decisions with the ball,” Caruso said. “He’s a great complement to the other guys we have on the floor.”

What Bradford may lack in physical size he makes up for in court smarts and execution.

“He’s a terrific freshman,” said Thomas coach T.J. Maines. “He plays within himself, doesn’t force things, has a very high IQ, and is the kind of guy every team would love to have.”

Eagles regroup after injuries

The Husson College women’s basketball team has had to deal with some key injury losses this season.

Back in December, senior guard Holly Gracie of Frankfort suffered a knee injury and was lost for the season.

Then, last month, Shelby Pickering broke a bone in her foot. The sophomore from Lee had been leading the Eagles in both scoring (17.2 ppg) and was second in rebounding (7.3 rpg).

On the heels of that injury, coach Kissy Walker’s team dropped five straight games.

However, the Eagles have bounced back with three consecutive victories, including Tuesday’s 64-62 win over Thomas College.

“We had a rough stretch losing a lot of people to injuries, but we’ve had the past three wins and it feels like we’re moving along good and getting the team tightly knit again,” said senior center Annie McIntosh of New Gloucester.

The Eagles appear to be re-establishing their on-court chemistry despite a lineup that includes several underclassmen. Walker also has been using 12 or 13 players.

Among the players who have picked up their production of late are sophomore guard Jenny Rollins of Corinth, senior center Annie McIntosh of New Gloucester and senior guard Crystal Martin of Calais.

“We’re starting to put it together a lot more now than what we have been,” Martin said.

During the recent three-game win streak, Husson edged Mount Ida 59-56, nipped Lasell 66-64 and held off Thomas.

“It’s been kind of a roller coaster through the whole season,” said senior Carmen Ballard of Skowhegan. “We’ve been through some tough games, lost a couple, but we’ve fought through and I think we’re on our way back up playing together and getting the confidence back. It’s nice to be peaking right now coming up to playoff time.”