2008 Woodie Awards
High expectations set for seasoned women's team
Michael Tardiff
Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: Sports
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After suffering a heartbreaking loss in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Brandeis, the Huskies have since had to rebuild their roster and install a new coach.
But despite all of the changes, the Huskies are still picked to finish second in the Little East behind Eastern Connecticut and even received votes in the D3hoops.com top-25 poll.
With legendary coach Gary Fifield stepping down earlier in the semester, Mike McDevitt assumes the role of head coach for the Huskies and his emphasis is loud and clear: defense.
But the transition has been a smooth one and the prospects look bright.
"I think because I was here the previous five season it made it a lot easier to make the transition," McDevitt said of his installation.
With good team size and a solid cohort of players returning, the Huskies will look to familiar faces and a few new ones to help guide them to hopefully another berth in the NCAA tournament.
Led by 2007 Maine Collegiate Player of the Year and captain Stacy Kent (Northwood, NH), the Huskies will look to exceed the pundit's predictions and find their way back to the top of the Little East and back in the NCAA Tournament. Kent average 14.6 points per game for the Huskies to go along with 5.8 boards per contest.
"Stacy is one of the best players in the state and one of the best in the region," McDevitt said of his senior captain.
Kent will be joined in her leadership role by senior point guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan). A second-team all conference selection last year, Paradis will handle the ball-handling duties for the Huskies and provide a steady shooting touch.
McDevitt hopes that Paradis will provide more scoring than she has in the past, putting to use her shooting and ball-handling abilities.
After losing three of their top four scores from a year ago in Josalee Danieli, Shannon Kynoch and Angela Santa Fe, the Huskies will have to rely on Kent and a balanced supporting cast to do the brunt of their damage on the offensive end. Becky Dixon (Pittston), Kaylee Demillo (Jay) were selected to the All-Rookie team last year and should help Kent and Paradis carry the load for the Huskies.
Junior Haley Johnson (Simsbury, CT) played well in the Huskies for two scrimmages, leading the team in scoring, and should continue to develop as one of USM's most dangerous scoring threats.
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