Cape Elizabeth girls basketball coach Chris Roberts has been recognized by the Maine Association of Basketball Coaches as the 2008-2009 Class B West Coach of the Year.

Roberts, who just wrapped up her second year as Capers’ coach, led her team to a 7-11 record this season, a significant improvement over the Capers’ 1-17 record last season.

When asked about the award, Roberts said that while it was nice to receive the individual recognition, she said the credit for the Capers’ turnaround should go to the players for all of the hard work they have put in over the past few years. “It’s good news for the program,” Roberts said. “I think we’re headed in the right direction and it’s all due to the kids. There are some great kids in this program.”

The past few years have been rough ones for the Cape girls, Roberts said that when she came on board before last season, many of the girls had not even won a game during middle school. But, thanks to some hard work by the players that has started to change. “This year it was just great, we started to win some games,” Roberts said.

One of the highlights of this year for Roberts was a big early-season win over perennial Class B powerhouse Lake Region. The Capers beat the Lakers, the defending three-time Class B West champion, 48-42 in Cape on Dec. 22. “I was thrilled for my kids,” Roberts said. The win over Lake Region was part of a three-game winning streak that also included road wins over Freeport (41-36 on Dec. 18) and Poland (62-20 on Dec. 23).

In addition, Roberts said that the JV team beat Greely this season, and that was a significant win because she believed that was the first time that this particular group of girls had beaten the Rangers at any level.

Speaking of her team, Roberts said she was also proud to see junior co-captain Morgan Pillsbury selected to the postseason third team All-Conference team this season. “I was thrilled for her,” she said.

As for her award, Roberts said it was nice to be recognized, but she would gladly swap it for more wins for her kids. “I’m happy about it,” she said. “But I’d trade (it) for the chance for my kids to make the playoffs.”

Copy the Story Link