WINDHAM — The options are swirling through Meghan Gribbin’s head.

As the Windham High senior point guard dribbles the ball up court, she surveys the scene ahead – where are the defenders, where are her teammates? – and considers her options: Pull the ball out, draw the defense to her and look for a trailer? Keep pushing the ball to the basket? Shoot? Or pass? Pull up and shoot the 3?

Chances are whatever Gribbin decides, it will be the right play.

“She is the only girl in the (SMAA) who controls the game with the ball in her hands,’’ said Deering Coach Mike Murphy. “She dictates the tempo of the game. She dictates not only what Windham does, she dictates what the other team does.

“She’s a very heady player, two steps ahead of most high school players in her thinking. She’s a tough task, for sure.’’

Gribbin almost blushes when she hears compliments like that. She is unassuming to a fault. She is also one special basketball player.

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Last year, in helping the Eagles to the Western Class A quarterfinals, she was third in the SMAA in scoring (18.8 points), tied for first in assists (4.6), 10th in steals (2.7), second in free throw percentage (83 percent) and tops in 3-pointers made (38).

Now she’s ready to step up her game even more. She eschewed her senior year of soccer to get ready for the basketball season by going to the Parisi Speed School in Saco three times a week, pushing herself in all aspects.

“It was nice to focus on basketball,’’ she said. “I really think it helped a lot, especially mentally. I feel like I’m mentally tougher, definitely I feel I’m a lot quicker and just overall in better shape in a lot of aspects.’’

It’s been noted in practice. “She’s even beating me in sprints now,’’ said longtime friend and fellow guard Stephanie Frost.

Frost has played with Gribbin since the sixth grade. The two formed a quick friendship in the fifth grade that carried over to the basketball court. Gribbin, said Frost, has always been the go-to player.

“She’s the one who would lead us,’’ said Frost. “I always feel comfortable with her on the floor. She’s always that presence that everyone needs. She kind of keeps the team together.’’

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For Gribbin, who began dribbling a ball in kindergarten and was going to clinics as soon as she was strong enough to shoot the ball, that role has always been natural. She’s always played point guard. She loves to pass and be a playmaker. Her coach would like her to be a little more selfish.

“I know she scored a lot for us last year,’’ said Jessie Cummings, “but she was still more apt to give up her shot to find an open teammate. This year I’ve asked her not to give up that shot.

“Either way, she makes everyone on the floor better simply by being out there. Teams pay a lot of attention to her and that creates opportunities for everyone else.’’

Her value to the team can be seen in practice. Frost, considered to be the team’s toughest defender, often guards Gribbin in practice. “I have to give her a step,’’ she said. “If not, she’s going to blow right past me. If I have to choose someone to guard in practice, I want it to be her. She makes me a better player.’’

And Frost has a huge effect on Gribbin. “She’s the spark on our team, she’s the energy we look to when there’s no energy on the court,’’ said Gribbin.

This year the two hope that the Eagles take the next big step for their program.

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Gribbin notes that unlike the past, Windham is one of the teams mentioned among the SMAA leaders.

“This is the first year we’re kind of contenders,’’ said Gribbin. “People know our name now. I think that we like that. We have more confidence.’’

Gribbin knows other teams are going to be game-planning for her, so she has to be ready for anything.

“I think I’m pretty ready,’’ she said. “Every game you just have to go in thinking the same thing. You’ve got to know they’re going to be gunning not just for me but our whole team.

“So I think it’s important for me to just focus on each game and when I see what the other team is doing, I just have to adjust to it quicker.’’

Just as she’s always done.

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:

mlowe@pressherald.com

Twitter: MikeLowePPH


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