Local girls standing out on UMPI Lady Owls basketball team

    PRESQUE ISLE – The University of Maine at Presque Isle women’s basketball team enters the 2010-11 season with high expectations of being competitive in both non-conference and Sunrise Conference play. 
    The Owls, led by fourth-year head coach Tracy Guerrette, completed last season with a 9-13 record while finishing second in the conference at 9-3. This year’s team, 1-4 through its first five games, is comprised of a solid core of returning players from last year’s squad, mixed in with a talented group of transfers and freshmen.
    Leading the way for the Owls is senior co-captain Megan Korhonen of Littleton. In her fourth season at UMPI, Korhonen provides solid leadership and confidence for the Owls, modeling a strong work ethic every day in practice. She is a versatile player who can play any position on the court, and will see time at the point, on the wing and in the post. Korhonen led the Owls in scoring last season with 11.8 points per game and was selected to the Sunrise All-Conference Second Team.
    Junior co-captain Emily Moore will see more time at the point guard position as the Owls’ coach of the floor. Moore, who is from Lisbon, brings “passion and competitiveness to the team,” according to Guerrette, and is also its defensive specialist. Her game has evolved from slasher and driver to playmaker as she is always looking to create options for her teammates.
Contributed photo
OWL WOMEN — Members of the University of Maine at Presque Isle women’s basketball team are, in front from left, Randi Kaplan, Olivia McNally, Megan Korhonen, Emily Moore, Taylor-Jo Quint and Emily Pelletier; back, Kaci Hudson, Kayla Fleming, Julie Peers, Rashell Saucier, Renee Moore, Taylor Ussery and Liron Albag. The team is coached by Tracy Guerrette.
    Senior Julie Peers of Caswell, who played her high school ball in Limestone, returns as a starting post player from last season. Peers’ commitment and dedication as a student-athlete is invaluable to her team. She is always consistent in her effort and is a tough presence on both ends of the court. Despite being only 5-foot-8, Peers plays “a lot bigger than her size and has learned how to finish strong in the post,” according to Guerrette. She led the team in rebounding last season with 6.8 per game.
    Fellow senior Kayla Fleming of Hodgdon has returned this season stronger, both with confidence and as a player.
    “Kayla is really stepping into her role as a post player and leader for the team; her encouragement and presence every day in practice is of great value to hear teammates,” Guerrette said.
    Her strength is her post defense and she continues to improve every day on the offensive side of play.
    Sophomore Emily Pelletier of Fort Kent brings a great love for the game. She is a pure shooter who led the team and the state of Maine in three-point field goal percentage last season.
    “Emily also has a great knowledge for the game and brings poise to her team,” Guerrette said. “She will need to become even more of a threat on the offensive end and continue to develop versatility to her game.”
    Pelletier was second for the Owls in scoring last season with 11 points per game.
    Sophomore Taylor Ussery of La Verne, Calif. progressed tremendously last season as a strong post presence and has entered this season with greater confidence and strength in the paint. Ussery is “a natural leader” and continues to better herself on the low block, both with finishing strong offensively and on the defensive end, said her coach.
    The Owls had a couple of transfers into this year’s mix with junior Taylor-Jo Quint of Hodgdon and sophomore Liron Albag of Ganot Hadar, Israel.
    Quint, who played for Eastern Nazarene of Boston last season, is a natural point guard who sees the floor well and has great court sense. Guerrette said she has a “pass first” mentality and is always looking to create scoring opportunities for her teammates.
    Albag, who played her first year at the University of Maine at Machias, is a very coachable player and is always looking to work on her game. She is a great dribble-drive perimeter play and is continuing to develop on the defensive end.
    “Liron plays with a lot of heart and intensity, and so far this season, has provided a spark off the bench,” Guerrette said. 
    Rashell Saucier of Washburn leads a solid group of incoming freshmen. Saucier is a very athletic forward who will look to step into an impact role immediately as a scorer for the Owls.
    “She creates a difficult matchup for opposing teams due to her ability to consistently make the outside shot, take her defender off the dribble, or post up strong inside,” said the coach. 
    Olivia McNally of Sherman is a solid all-around player with a great handle and nice shooting touch. As McNally continues to make the transition to the demands of college basketball, she will grow into a great collegiate player, said Guerrette.
    Randi Kaplan of Embden, who attended Carrabec High School, plays with a lot of “passion, power, and intensity,”
    “She is the difference-maker on the team,” Guerrette said. “She is a great penetrator and a top guard defender for the Owls. 
    Renee Moore of Lisbon is another versatile player for UMPI. She will mostly see time as a post player, but can easily step out into the guard position. She has a great shooting range and her “never quit attitude” makes her a tough force on the low block.
    Rounding out the list of newcomers to this year’s squad is Kaci Hudson of Windsor. “Having played at the top high school level (Class A Erskine Academy), she brings confidence and poise to her team,” Guerrette said.
    As an off guard, she can shoot off the pass, create for herself off the bounce, or take it strong to the basket. Hudson is a great decision maker and continues to surprise and impress her teammates every day.
    Once again this year, the Owls have a tough pre-conference schedule, playing the likes of Bowdoin, Bates, Colby, Husson, UM-Farmington, Maine Maritime Academy and Eastern Connecticut State University. 
    “I believe in order to be the best, you have to play the best,” Guerrette said about her challenging December slate. “Playing against some of the best teams in the state and beyond is a great opportunity for my student-athletes, and it will also best prepare us for Sunrise Conference play in January.
    “Our goal as a team is to focus on the process of getting better every day in practice, knowing that it is a challenge to be both mentally and physically prepared to compete every day. More importantly, I want my team to enjoy their collegiate basketball experience, build strong-lasting relationships with their teammates, and develop into better young ladies during their time here at the university.”
    The Owls play at Colby College Saturday, Dec. 11 and at UM-Farmington Sunday, Dec. 12 before playing their first homes games of the season Dec. 18 and 19 against Eastern Maine Community College and UM-Augusta, respectively. Game times at Wieden Gymnasium are 1 p.m. both days.