ORONO – Back in high school, Sean McNally and Troy Barnies were two of the best around. Barnies played for Class A Edward Little, McNally for Class B Gardiner.

They were lured to the University of Maine as part of a rebuilding plan by Coach Ted Woodward that included in-state talent.

Come here, he told them. In three or four years you will lead this team.

Wednesday, the pair welcomed a new season at the team’s annual media day.

They are seniors. They are captains. They are the backbone of a team that went 19-11 last year and is expected to top that this season.

This, in short, is the year they have long anticipated.

“He told us this would be our team before long,” said McNally, remembering his coach’s recruiting pitch. “He said in three or four years we will be the leaders. That really got my career off on the right foot. I’d like to believe Troy and I have done our part to get here.”

Now, said Barnies, the pair are best friends. They share an apartment, and will one day stand up at the other’s wedding.

But long before that, they share high expectations.

Maine lost to New Hampshire in the opening round of last season’s America East tournament, an upset that ended a bid for 20 wins.

No Maine men’s basketball team has won its league tournament and reached the NCAAs.

“This year it’s time to get it done,” said Barnies. “We’ve been through it all. Now we know what it takes. We know what to expect.”

McNally, a 6-foot-7 center, averaged 10.3 points per game last season at forward. Barnies, a 6-7 forward, averaged 6.3 points.

Barnies and McNally have given all he expected and more, said Woodward.

“This is a team with a lot of character,” said Woodward. “A lot of that has to do with Sean and Troy. They competed to win at all costs in high school. And they do it to this day.”

With McNally and Barnies, Maine returns four of its starting five, including shooting guard Gerald McLemore, a preseason all-conference pick who scored 14.6 points per game, and 6-7 sophomore Murphy Burnatowski.

“I knew this program was down when I came here but I wanted something different,” said McLemore. “Now we go into games expecting to win in our heart. We’re not just going through the motions.”

One hole: point guard, a position being fought over by 5-9 junior Andrew Rogers and 6-foot junior college transfer Raheem Singleton.

“We recognize we have to write our own story again this year,” said Woodward. “We have lots to do. Weaknesses to clean up. It’s a big mountain to climb but we’re excited to get working.”

WOMEN’S MEDIA DAY

Cindy Blodgett, the women’s basketball coach, said she sees significant competition during preseason, which she believes will bode well when the games begin.

The women went 8-21 last year, 4-12 in the conference.

“There’s going to be a lot of competition for spots and we have a little more depth,” said Blodgett.

Players say they will draw motivation from being picked to finish eighth among the nine America East teams in a preseason coaches’ poll.

“We have something to prove,” said junior Sam Wheeler. “We’re absolutely using the preseason poll as motivation. … I’ve seen a lot of good hard work and effort already.”

Said Blodgett: “That ability comes with age and maturity. You don’t want to dwell, but you don’t want to run from it. On a day they’re struggling, they can use it as a point of reference.”

 

NOTE: Rachele Burns, a former Gorham High standout, said she will be cleared to practice soon following a third surgery on her knee last fall.

 

Staff Writer Jenn Menendez can be contacted at 791-6426 or at: jmenendez@pressherald.com

 

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