For most freshmen, the first year of playing college basketball is supposed to be one of adjustments: to life away from home and to a higher level of competition.
For Nikki Taylor of York and Kayla Burchill of Deering High in Portland, their freshmen seasons at Vermont were a little more complicated.
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Injuries forced the two into much larger roles than they imagined for the Catamounts. And while Vermont won only 10 games and was eliminated in the America East quarterfinals, Taylor and Burchill laid a foundation for future success.
“They both had great seasons in very different types of areas,” said Coach Lori Gear-McBride. “It’s so nice to have them step up for us and continue to grow and develop. I’m very excited about the future.”
Statistically, they were among Vermont’s leaders. They both averaged over 25 minutes and scored 8.3 points per game — tied for second on the team. Taylor averaged 6.8 rebounds (third) and had 13 blocked shots (second). Burchill averaged 4.3 rebounds and led the team with 62 3-pointers.
“I learned that (college basketball) is different in a lot of ways,” said Taylor. “The competition is better. Mentally it’s tougher. It’s such a long season and you just have to always be ready. You need to just pick yourself up and push yourself through.”
Taylor was named to the America East all-rookie team, along with Vermont point guard Tierra Shumpert. Gear-McBride said it was a shame Burchill
wasn’t there as well. “But we didn’t focus on those individual accolades,” she said. “This season was so much about doing whatever we needed to do to get the team going. Both Nikki and Kayla had to change their roles because of injuries and didn’t play where we envisioned them playing. But this (season) was about doing what needed to be done and pitching in to help the team win.”
Taylor, recruited to play power forward, ended up playing center much of the year. Burchill played on the wing and battled through nagging injuries.
“I learned a lot about just fighting through physical pain, battling through injuries,” said Burchill. “And I learned to be more vocal on the court.
“I’m pleased with the season. I just hope we could have done better.”
The two finished strong. In Vermont’s 74-61 loss to Albany in the America East quarterfinals, Taylor scored a career-high 22 points, with eight rebounds and two blocks. Burchill scored 15 points — hitting 5 of 8 3 pointers — and grabbed eight rebounds.
“I hadn’t seen (Taylor) play like that, do as many things as she did in that game,” said Gear-McBride. “She was unstoppable inside. I felt bad we didn’t get her the ball more.”
As far as Burchill’s finale, the coach said, “She was on fire, which was interesting because she hadn’t played the previous game because she had hurt her shoulder. To come out and have that type of game was nice to see.”
Now that the season has ended, Gear-McBride has given them instructions for the off-season. “We’re giving them a bunch of things to work on,” she said. “I think both have a lot left in terms of growth.”
Burchill will work on her ballhandling skills and ability to get open on the perimeter. “I need to become more of a threat instead of just a 3-point shooter,” she said.
Taylor will work on, well, everything. “I definitely need to improve my dribbling, my outside shooting, my post moves,” she said. “The things that you know you need to improve on, it’s important you do them.”
LACROSSE
Thomas College is off to a 2-1 start in women’s lacrosse, aided by five local players. Junior midfielder Ceara DiBiase of Westbrook has four goals, five ground balls and 10 draw controls; sophomore midfielder Jillian Lambert of Dayton (Thornton Academy) has three goals and one assist, four ground balls and four draw controls; junior midfielder Jasmine Ryan of Berwick (Noble) has two goals, three assists and five ground balls; freshman defender Jasmine Roy of Dayton (Thornton Academy) has four ground balls and two draw controls; and freshman midfielder Jerrica Stackpole of Biddeford has appeared in two games.
• Senior midfielder Ashley Allen of South Portland (Waynflete) and junior midfielder Mariah Monks of Cape Elizabeth (Waynflete) are starters for Hamilton, which is ranked seventh nationally. The Continentals are 1-1, and Allen has one assist in the two games.
• Freshman Kate Boyer of Standish (Bonny Eagle) is an attack for St. Michael’s (0-1). Boyer had seven shots and three caused turnovers in a 10-9 loss to Keene State.
SOFTBALL
Senior catcher Megan Blier of Wells has been named a captain at Bentley for the second consecutive year. A career .248 hitter with five home runs, she caught every inning last year for the Falcons.
SWIMMING
Sophomore Jenni Roberts of Sanford is one of four Maryland swimmers at the NCAA Division I championships starting today at Auburn, Ala. Roberts qualified in the 200 individual medley, 100 butterfly and 200 butterfly. She had top-five times for Maryland in the 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 400 IM. Freshman Laura Flewelling of Scarborough also had a strong season for the Terrapins. She had the team’s second-best time in the 200 breast stroke, 200 IM, and 50 breast stroke, and the third-best time in the 100 breast stroke.
HONORS
Dick Whitmore, the retired Colby men’s basketball coach, will receive the Division III Outstanding Service Award from the National Association of Basketball Coaches during its convention on March 31 in New Orleans. Whitmore retired with a 637-341 record in 40 seasons with the Mules.
• Greely High graduate Geoff Getz will be inducted into the 14th class of the Brandeis Athletic Hall of Fame on March 31. Getz was a three-time NCAA Division III champion in the 800 meters and a six-time All-American. He also helped the 1997 cross country team to a fourth-place finish in the NCAAs.
Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:
mlowe@pressherald.com
Twitter: MikeLowePPH
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