Bowdoin College forward Maddie Hasson (14), here driving past a Tufts defender during the NESCAC championship game Feb. 23 in Brunswick, leads the Polar Bears into “Sweet 16” action Friday at home against SUNY New Paltz State at 7 p.m. (Brian Beard / CiPhotography.com)
BRUNSWICK — When Bowdoin College coach Adrienne Shibles met with then South Portland High School’s Maddie Hasson after the 2016 season, the Polar Bear coach knew the soon-to-be Bowdoin student had a “great foundation,” both athletically and academically.
Fast-forward three years, and the economics/education major is right on track — on the court and in the classroom.
“I liked the value of all the NESCAC schools when I was looking, mostly because of the academic standards,” said Hasson, who said it was an overnight visit to the Bowdoin campus that swayed her the Polar Bear way. “I had an overnight, and talking to the Bowdoin girls distinguished Bowdoin over all the others.”
“She is a phenomenal student, so her coming to Bowdoin was a no brainer for us,” said Shibles. “She is a great person. To go to school here, you have to be incredibly strong academically. She has it all. She is a tremendous fit for our program, and we are happy she came here, knowing that she had a lot of different opportunities.”
As Hasson, a junior, and her Polar Bear teammates prepare this week to host the “Sweet 16” and “Elite 8” inside Morrell Gymnasium, she looked back on how she arrived at this point in her college career.
“Obviously when starting at any college program, there are adjustments, where you’re having to learn a whole new program and system,” said Hasson, the daughter of South Portland girls basketball coach Lynne and father Christopher. She is one of four children. Older brother Connor is 27, while her eldest sister, Abby, is 26. And, younger brother Riley, 19, was a standout baseball player for the Red Riots.
The Southern Maine Athletic Association Player of the Year in 2016 for South Portland, Hasson has always focused hard on her academics, earning the SMAA Student/Athlete of the Year award as a high school senior. She was a Miss Maine finalist that year, leading the Red Riots to the Class AA South regional final (a 37-30 loss to eventual state champion Gorham).
She then transitioned to Bowdoin, and as a freshman she appeared in 25 games, averaging 8.4 minutes a contest and 5.3 points per game.
As a sophomore, her playing time increased some, to 13.3 minutes a contest, and her output picked up as she averaged 6.9 points and 2.8 rebounds while helping the Polar Bears advance to the Division III national championship game.
Hasson doesn’t feel that she has given up anything, as a Shibles Bowdoin team requires all 14 athletes to contribute, to be held accountable both on the court and off.
“When you see how many games Coach Shibles has won, the culture of success here at Bowdoin, it is easy to give up on personal success and come together for that ultimate success, of having a chance every year to go far,” said Hasson, who has become an integral part of the Polar Bears in her junior year. She has started 25 of her team’s 29 contests, averaging 20.4 minutes, 14.2 points and 5.8 rebounds a contest. “When I look around here, I am surrounded by superb players. For us, it is about coming together for a common goal.”
On the court, Shibles has seen Hasson, who played guard at South Portland, move up to forward, allowing her to use her 5-foot-11 frame to cause havoc in the paint underneath the basket.
“She gives us an ability to finish around the rim,” said Shibles. “Her time playing guard in high school allows her to break down our opponents. She can really do it all. And, she has worked hard on her fitness, spending a lot of hours in the gym.”
As a young player at Bowdoin, Hasson learned from those players around here.
“I had the opportunity to learn from incredible people, so many good players, amazing players,” Hasson said.
After her team’s come-from-behind win over Smith College in the NCAA second round last Saturday, Hasson and her teammates waited to hear if the Polar Bears were going to have the opportunity to remain at home for the next two rounds.
“When we heard the news that we were going to host, we were excited,” said Hasson, who will lead the Polar Bears against SUNY New Paltz State on Friday at 7 p.m., with Ithaca taking on DeSales in Friday’s opener at 5 p.m. The winners meet Saturday at 7 p.m., with a Final Four berth on the line.
It is the first home “Sweet 16” for the program since 2004.
“We have another week to practice here as a group, to play in front of our fans, to not have to travel to a region host site. Hopefully, we will do well and have another chance at a national title,” Hasson said.
Hasson, just like each of her Polar Bear teammates, feels the home fans give them an advantage.
“You really don’t realize how great our fans are until you come here,” said Hasson, who remembered the sounds inside Morrell Gymnasium last Saturday against Smith. “When we tied the game in the fourth quarter and then took the lead, the gym was so loud, the loudest that I have heard it. I didn’t realize what it would be like. Some talked about it. It is great to play here, to have that support, to see fans line up outside for tickets.”
Hasson knows this weekend will be a challenge.
“Every game will be an absolute battle,” Hasson said. “Last year during our run, every game was a battle. This year will be the same. All four teams are good and here for a reason. For us, getting to Roanoke (the site of the 2019 D-III Final Four) is everything.”
As for her future endeavors, Hasson hasn’t fully locked it down.
“As an eco major, I have thought about going into finance, but now I am thinking about coaching after seeing Kate (Kerrigan) at Smith and Lydia (Caputi) at Trinity,” said Hasson. “Right now, I am focused on SUNY New Paltz.”
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