Taking intelligent shots and being aware of her equally talented teammates has made Katie Whittier arguably the most improved player in America East women’s basketball this winter.
Ann McInerney is thrilled with Whittier’s workmanlike approach and her ability to explode for double-digit points and rebounds against nationally ranked competition, so the first-year University of Maine coach probably doesn’t want to hear this. But if Whittier could find it in her heart to be a smidge more selfish, she would rate some national attention to supplement that status as her league’s best-kept secret.
Through 10 games, Whittier has connected on a staggering 47 of her 68 field-goal attempts, a sweltering, Shaq-like 69.1 percent clip.
So where does this unstoppable presence under the offensive glass and along the baseline place Whittier among the premier players in Division I?
Um, nowhere. The NCAA doesn’t log your name under the leaders in the “official” statistic unless you’re averaging five field goals per contest. Whittier, a 6-foot-2 forward, currently falls three hoops shy of qualifying.
Not that she cared much in the aftermath of Monday’s 77-67 victory over Holy Cross in Portland, with consuming thoughts of a possible fourth consecutive America East regular-season title dancing in everyone’s head.
“It’s great to be back home, playing in front of family and friends. We havent played a home game since the week after Thanksgiving,” Whittier said. “I’m just excited to start the conference schedule.”
Maine hosted Binghamton on Wednesday night.
Whittier’s ascension from a role player averaging under two points and two rebounds per game to a crucial component of Maine’s starting five was easily the Black Bears’ most pleasant surprise of the first semester.
Although Maine took its lumps during a six-game winning streak, the last four on the road against foes from major conferences, Whittier backed down to nobody. She claimed a spot on the Hurricane Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team in Miami on Dec. 28-29 with 30 points in the two games, shooting an unthinkable 15-of-16 from the floor.
Her only miss came in the consolation game against North Carolina A&T, and talk about a minor detail. Whittier collected a career-high 22 points in leading Maine to a 78-68 triumph.
“The second game in Miami gave us all a lot of confidence,” said Whittier, who has already played more minutes under McInerney than in her first two seasons at Maine, combined.
Whittier’s current average would make her the second most accurate shooter in Division I, trailing only Olayinka Sanni of West Virginia (73.1).
She ranks among Maine’s leaders in points per game (fourth, 10.5), rebounds per game (third, 6.3) and blocked shots (second after swatting her sixth shot of the winter against Holy Cross). Whittier weaved a double-double in first three games of the season.
Prior to two late, game-clinching baskets, Whittier was relatively quiet against Holy Cross. True to form, that was fine with her.
“Everybody contributed,” she said. “We took good shots, drew some fouls and made our free throws.”
Land of giants
The University of Maine at Farmington women’s basketball team has won five of its first six games, enough to trigger thoughts of a possible North Atlantic Conference title run and the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament that would come with it.
Not bad, considering that the Beavers went into this season widely considered no better than the No. 4 team in the state. UMF has played each of the Big Three, a stretch that concludes tonight when the Beavers visit Bowdoin College at 7 p.m.
UMF faced the first two titanic challenges at home, falling 83-50 to then-No. 1 Southern Maine on Nov. 19 before stunning Bates, 62-59, three weeks later. Junior forward Kari Simpson leads UMF in scoring (18.7), rebounding (9.2) and 3-pointers (12) and has picked up a pair of NAC Player of the Week plaudits.
Keeping it close might be considered a moral victory against Bowdoin (9-1), which is ranked No. 5 in the current D3hoops.com poll and seeks its 60th straight win at Morrell Gymnasium. Eileen Flaherty (14.3 ppg) and Julia Loonin (12.2) pace the Polar Bears, while freshman Alexa Kaubris of Rumford is fourth on the squad with 14 steals.
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