Gabby Foy’s decision to attend Central Maine Community College wasn’t entirely about the school’s success on the basketball court in recent years.

“Honestly,” Foy said, “I just didn’t want to go to a bigger college and not play my freshman year.”

Foy hasn’t had to worry about a lack of playing time this season. She started 25 games a freshman for a CMCC team that is 26-2 and is the No. 1 seed when the United States Collegiate Athletic Association tournament begins Thursday in Uniontown, Pa.

Foy, a Wilton native and Mt. Blue High School graduate, has done her part to get the Mustangs to this point. She’s second on the team with 15.0 points per game (in only 23 minutes per outing, because CMCC has a deep bench and plays a lot of blowouts). Foy is also averaging 3.8 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 2.0 assists.

“We thought that she could be a high-impact player at this level, and she certainly has come through on that end for us,” CMCC coach Andrew Morong said.

Morong feels one of Foy’s best assets to the team is that she understands the value of it.

“To be honest,” Morong said, “I think sometimes when people think of going to a community college, they see it as not a real college experience, and the athletics aren’t that good, (like) it’s maybe a step between Division III and high school.

“Once she got here, she realized this is just as good, if not better than the real college experience — whatever that means. Once that sunk in, she really fell in love with the place, and now she’s our best recruiter.”

Foy, a 5-foot-6 guard, said the family atmosphere is a big part of why she enjoys the school, but she also like the success and the support from Morong and athletic director/men’s basketball coach Dave Gonyea.

“Here, you’re just expected to win,” Foy said. “Coach Gonyea and Coach Morong would do anything for you. I can’t explain it. I just never want to leave now.”

The style CMCC plays must be pretty nice as well. The Mustangs take nearly 80 shots per game, and about one out of every 10 are 3-pointers by Foy.

“Gabby has the green light as soon as she crosses halfcourt,” Morong said. “We play so fast, the young women really have to trust their instincts.”

“It’s just kind of, you’re going all the time,” Foy said. “If you make a mistake, there’s no time to think about it, because you’re going to the next play.”

Foy has made 73 3-pointers this season, which is second most in the USCAA Division II. That was news to her when a reporter mentioned it on Twitter last week.

“I knew I made a lot, but not that much,” Foy said. “When I saw it, I was like, ‘Holy crap!'”

Morong watched Foy play in high school and AAU ball, and felt she didn’t get enough credit for being an all-around player. She’s at 82.8 percent on her free throws this winter, which is the best on the Mustangs.

“She’s getting it done on defense,” Morong said. “She’s taking it to the rack. She’s getting to the foul line, where she’s shooting over 80 percent. She’s kind of doing it all. She’s taken a ton of charges this year. She’s gives good ball pressure on the perimeter, and if she’s matched up inside, she’s not afraid to mix it up and be physical. Those things don’t show up in the box score.”

Foy feels the Mustangs are deep enough to sub five in at a time and not lose anything on the court. She’s also optimistic they can play well in Pennsylvania.

“I think we just really need to have confidence, and can’t be scared,” she said. “I think if we just play our game, we should be fine. We just need to stay confident.”

Matt DiFilippo — 861-9243 mdifilippo@centralmaine.com Twitter: @Matt_DiFilippo