Gary Fifield has built a Division III women’s basketball dynasty at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham.

Last weekend, the Huskies wrapped up their seventh consecutive Little East Conference championship and earned their ninth straight spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament. And they did it behind a nucleus of former Eastern Maine high school standouts.

Southern Maine takes a 25-3 record into Saturday’s NCAA second-round game against the winner of Wednesday’s Springfield-Salem State game. Leading the way are a handful of players NEWS readers have followed for years.

The Huskies have been paced this winter by a talented newcomer, freshman Tiffany Jones. The 5-foot-9 forward from Skowhegan took the LEC by storm, averaging 18.6 points and 4.2 rebounds on her way to league rookie of the year honors.

“You never expect to have a freshman come in and have quite the impact that [Jones] has had this year,” said Fifield, who earned coach of the year accolades for the ninth time in his 16 seasons at USM.

Jones, who finished as the LEC’s leading scorer, shot 49 percent from the floor (170-for-350) and 75 percent from the foul line (139-for-186).

“She has shown throughout the year the ability to score in many different ways, be it from the perimeter, driving to the basket, getting to the foul line and even posting up,” Fifield added. “She brings a lot of energy to the game.”

Another leader for the Huskies is senior Jess Libby of Orono. The 5-10 swing player averaged 9.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists while leading the league in 3-point percentage at .402 (39-for-97).

“It’s a great honor that [LEC coaches] recognize what Jess does for our team,” Fifield said. “She understands the game very well and has great court awareness.”

Sophomore Meg Cressler of Appleton, a former Camden-Rockport star, was an All-LEC second-team selection. The 5-8 guard averaged 11.4 points, a team-leading 6.8 rebounds and contributed 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals.

“She’s elevated her all-around game to a new level and is now among the premier players in the region,” Fifield said of Cressler, who usually guards the opponent’s top scorer. “She is a clutch player.”

Other key contributors for USM are sophomore Nikki Allen of Blue Hill (7.2 ppg), senior captain Kara Crockett of Glenburn (6.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and freshman guard Katie Frost of Calais (6.2 ppg, 2.8 apg).

The Huskies have plenty of depth, including Nicole Judkins, Kristen Tong, Coley Stetler of Lamoine, Cassie Carver of Lincoln, Sunshine Anders, Dianna Thibodeau, Donna Cowing of Weeks Mills, Jess Cyr of Caribou and Jill Morris.

Husson’s Gracie top rookie

Another Maine small-college player who turned in an exceptional freshman season was Holly Gracie of Husson College in Bangor.

Gracie, a 5-foot-7 guard from Frankfort, was recently selected the Sunrise Conference Women’s Basketball Rookie of the Year. Gracie, who played her high school ball at Searsport, emerged as a leader on a youthful Husson squad coached by Harold Williams.

“She has a fear factor of zero,” Williams said. “We want the ball in her hands when it comes clutch time and she wants the ball in her hands and is willing to take that risk.”

Gracie finished as the No. 4 scorer in the conference, averaging 15 points per game. She knocked down 39 3-pointers and converted 76 percent of her free throws (59-for-78).

“I think her work ethic is the No. 1 thing that caught people’s eyes,” Williams said. “Holly only knows how to give 100 percent when she steps across the line.”

In addition to her aggressive offensive play, Gracie was a tenacious defender for the Braves. She ranked second in the conference with 3.9 steals per contest and didn’t get easy defensive assignments.

“She’s real quick defensively and she usually guarded the other team’s best guard,” Williams said.