Claire Ramonas intends to pursue a career as an early elementary educator.

It’s clear she already knows the importance of nurturing young people.

“Some of the girls call me ‘mom,’ and even the coaches see me as the mom of the team,” Ramonas said.

Ramonas will complete a standout four-year career as a forward on the Regis College women’s basketball team when she plays in the New England Women’s Basketball Association Senior All-Star Classic, held at Smith College at 1 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s definitely humbling and a big deal from what the coaches have been saying,” Ramonas said. “It will be fun to put my uniform on for one last time.”

A Portland resident who helped Deering High win consecutive Class A titles in 2008 and 2009, Ramonas averaged 10.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.0 steals, and led the team with a .526 field-goal percentage as Regis posted a 23-5 record.

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“Claire is undersized and plays in the post, but she’s very quick and can defend,” Regis Coach Angela Santa Fe said. “All the regional coaches vote on the NEWBA all-star game. A lot goes into it. Her being named is a successful moment for her and a nice milestone.”

Regis was 18-0 in New England Collegiate Conference play and for the second straight year advanced to the first round of the NCAA Division III championships, falling to nationally ranked Montclair State 78-51 on March 7.

Montclair State also beat Regis in the first round in 2013.

“The second half we outscored them,” Ramonas said. “We stayed positive and we just caught them on their best night. I’m the only senior on the team who is leaving so I think it’s a really good experience for them to take into next year.”

Ramonas became one of the most productive players in Regis history. She ranks third all-time in scoring (1,243 points), first in career field-goal percentage (.534), ninth in rebounds (716), fifth in blocks (60) and steals (226), and second in games played (110).

A first-team All-NECC pick as a sophomore, Ramonas was a second-team all-league choice the past two seasons.

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“I don’t necessarily define success by the statistics,” Ramonas said. “I feel what made my four years successful was our team success and the progress we made.”

Regis went 83-18 over Ramonas’ four years, including consecutive 23-5 seasons and three straight 18-0 regular-season conference marks.

“This year we beat Colby for the first time ever,” Ramonas said. “We beat Western Connecticut, a big-name team. We’re starting new traditions and expectations for the program.”

Ramonas’ coach her first three years at Regis was Gorham native and former University of Southern Maine star Julie Plant. This year former assistant Santa Fe (also an ex-USM player) took over after Plant took the head coaching job at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire.

“Claire has been in that transition of bringing a program from winning 50 percent of its games to now making the NCAA tournament two years in a row. She definitely had a big part of that,” Santa Fe said.

Plant’s decision to leave last summer was another opportunity for Ramonas to use her team-building skills. Through texts and phone calls she made sure the team was dedicated to coming back focused and ready to start another season.

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“That leadership role will be really hard to replace,” Santa Fe said.

“It just comes from me being here for four years and just wanting the younger girls to thrive and seeing the potential in them and wanting to bring it out of them,” Ramonas said. “I had two seniors that took me under their wings and showed me the ropes and made the transition so much easier. Our team is our second family.”

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Saint Michael’s College junior attack Kate Boyer of Standish (Bonny Eagle) had four goals in three wins last week as the Purple Knights started a season 4-0 for the first time since 1999.

SOFTBALL

South Portland’s Erin Bogdanovich, a 2013 All-Telegram selection, has made three starts this season for the University of Maine, working a total of 71/3 innings in her freshman season. The former star pitcher at South Portland High originally committed to Stetson University in Deland, Fla.

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At Maine she joins her older sister Alexis Bogdanovich, a junior, on the pitching staff. Alexis has thrown four complete games in four starts, with three relief appearances, and is 2-3 with a 2.33 ERA. Maine is currently 10-9.

Emmanuel College freshman Samantha Adams of Sanford is batting .316 with a home run and seven RBI in 11 games. She has also made three starts and two relief appearances on the mound, going 1-1 with a save and a 2.85 ERA for the Saints (6-7).

Steve Craig can be reached at 791-6413 or at:

scraig@pressherald.com

Twitter: SteveCCraig


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