CHAMPIONS!
Lady Mustangs take down SMCC, 59-49
By Mark Turcotte
CONCORD, NH - In a season plagued with injuries, sickness and uncertainty, Tiffany Seams made sure her final year as a member of the Central Maine Community College Mustang basketball team would contain fond memories of a conference championship.
After hitting her first 3-pointer from the left corner, Seams knew this was her game. The Oxford Hills alum scorched the nets for a game-high 28 points, including five 3-pointers that propelled the Mustangs to a 59-49 victory over arch-rival Southern Maine Community College in the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) championship Sunday in Concord, New Hampshire.
Seams, who missed nearly half of the Mustangs' games this season largely due to a dislocated knee cap suffered during a Nov. 13 game, gave the Mustangs a scare in a semifinal matchup on Saturday; after sinking a 3-pointer, she came down on an opposing players foot, straining her ankle. She limped off the court only to return minutes later to help the second-ranked Mustangs earn a spot in the title game with nine points in a 75-44 victory over tournament host New Hampshire Technical Institute.
The title game loomed large as the top-seeded Seawolves, who dispatched UMaine-Augusta 79-75 in their semifinal, were favored after sweeping the two-game regular season series over CM by a combined seven points.
"We had to play at another level today," said Mustang coach Mike Bridges, now in his tenth year heading up the women's program. "Beating a team of that caliber takes a complete effort from all involved."
After uncharacteristically electing to pass with open looks at the basket in the Mustangs final two regular season games, Seams imposed her will in the playoffs. Her performance in the title game, for which she earned MVP honors, helped the Mustangs earn a spot in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national tournament in Pennsylvania beginning March 3.
"I was saving it for this one," she laughed. "I just asked for the ball. If someone's feeling it you give it to them, regardless of who it is."
"All it took was one game for (Seams) to go off and she chose today," said Bridges. "We had enough solid performances around her to get the job done."
Bridges' defensive scheme, which constantly sent help to double and sometimes triple-team YSCC Player of the Year Sonya O'Tash, created 25 turnovers and held the Seawolves scoreless for nearly four minutes into the first half.
Freshman forward Rachel Del Camp led the Seawolves with 14 points while O'Tash was limited to 11.
"They shut down our offense and no one else really stepped up," said Southern Maine coach Becky Roak. "We give all the credit to CM. Tiffany Seams was amazing. When she ignites it's tough to stop her."
It was the first conference loss of the year for Roak, now in her second year at the helm. She was named YSCC Coach of the Year after leading the Seawoves to an unblemished conference record through 14 games.
Michelle Holmquist, who carried the bulk of the offensive load this season, attracted plenty of attention in the paint with an 11 point, eight rebound performance. Coupled with her 14 points and 10 boards in the semifinal, the freshman standout was named Offensive Player of the Tournament to complement her All-Conference award where she was among the top five vote getters alongside O'Tash and Del Camp.
Danielle Hebert paced the Mustang defense with four steals while Sara Martin hauled down five rebounds, all on the opposing end. Britney Salley added five points and a pair of steals.
As he's done all season long, Bridges used the full complement of his bench, eight players total, to wear down the Seawolves. Ten players registered at least 12 minutes on the floor with only two players, Seams and Holmquist, logging over 30 minutes. No member of the Southern Maine starting five played less than 34 minutes. CMCC improves to 19-5 overall and 13-3 in conference play.
The Mustangs now make travel plans to the Keystone State where they'll represent the YSCC in a tournament featuring 12 teams from throughout the country.
After congratulating his team on a game plan executed to
perfection, Bridges, who has experienced a handful of national
tournaments and two final fours in his time with CMCC, informed his
13 champions that they wouldn't have to worry about practicing
until Thursday. "However," he added "if you want to go to the gym
to shoot, I won't stop you."
Lady Mustangs to face SMCC for Yankee title
CONCORD, NH - Michelle Holmquist led all players with 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead second-ranked Central Maine Community College in a 75-44 Yankee Conference semifinal victory over No. 3 New Hampshire Technical Institute on Saturday.
The Mustangs (18-5) received scoring contributions from 11
players including 11 from
Katie Martin, nine from Tiffany Seams and eight apiece from Kayla
Ellis and Britney Salley.
Ahead by 17 at the break, the Mustangs came out strong in the
second half, forcing the
Lynx into 25 turnovers while allowing 28 percent shooting.
Martin added eight rebounds and four steals while Danielle
Hebert tallied seven points
and seven rebounds.
Jess Hardiman and Ashley Woodbury paced the Lynx (14-17) with 10 points each.
The win sets up a championship game with top seeded Southern Maine Community College on Sunday afternoon. The winner will represent the Yankee Conference in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association national tournament in Pennsylvania next month.
Holmquist, who has averaged 17 points and nine rebounds in her first year with CMCC, was honored prior to the game with a Yankee All-Conference award.