Saucier and Moore
named to ‘All-Independent Team’
PRESQUE ISLE — University of Maine-Presque Isle women’s basketball players Rashell Saucier of Washburn and Emily Moore of Lisbon were recently named to the NCAA Association of Division III Independents’ “All-Independent Team” for their performances in the 2011-12 season.
Saucier, a two-time AD3I “Player of the Week” this season, was a unanimous first-team selection. The second-year starter for the Owls averaged 12.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.
At 5-8, the undersized post player still managed 10 “double-double’s” and only had two games all year where she did not hit double figures in either points or rebounds.
“I tried my best to improve from last year and I know within myself I’ve achieved just that,” said Saucier. “There will be more accomplishments to conquer in the years to come. But it’s my team and coach that have gotten me this far.”
Saucier shook off any thoughts of a “sophomore slump” by becoming a more well-rounded player. In addition to improvements in scoring and rebounding categories, the Washburn native averaged two assists and two steals per game while committing one third the amount of turnovers from the first half of the season to the second.
“‘Rash’ is one of those players that just wants to keep getting better in order to help the team,” said Owls head coach Marc Heidorf. “This year she needed to reduce her turnovers, she worked on it, and made great strides without sacrificing any other parts of her game. If, during this off-season, she decided she wanted to become a three-point shooter or point guard I don’t know that I’d bet against her.”
Senior captain Moore, also the winner of a AD3I “Player of the Week” award, was named to the second-team.
“I could not be happier for Emily,” Heidorf said. “The stats might not pop out at you, but what she contributed to this team as a leader and ballhandler is immeasurable. She gave us a sense of calm and confidence while on the court.”
Moore led the team with nearly four assists per game. She was the only Owl with a positive assist-to-turnover ratio.
“My senior year was great and I’m honored to have gotten this award,” said Moore, “but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. Without them none of my accomplishments would have been possible. I owe them a big thank you!
