College notebook: After holiday break, basketball teams get back on the hardwood

UMaine-Farmington guard Terion Moss takes a 3-pointer during a game against UMaine-Augusta on Dec. 1 in Farmington. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

Not many area college basketball teams had as good of a start as the University of Maine at Farmington men’s program.

The Beavers jumped into the holiday break with a 6-2 record — with a 2-0 record in North Atlantic Conference play — their only losses coming to Division I Maine in the season opener Nov. 12, and an 86-81 overtime loss to Colby College in Waterville on Dec. 8. After a three-week break from games, UMF gets back on the floor Monday at Lasell University in Auburndale, Massachusetts. It’s the first of a four-game road stretch, which will include a trip to New York (to play Cazenovia and SUNY Poly) and Vermont (Northern Vermont-Lyndon).

UMF head coach Sam Leal said he has no concerns of the team getting back into a rhythm and jumping back into a grueling schedule.

“We have three games a week for four straight (weeks), so it’s going to be a grind,” Leal said. “(The break) doesn’t concern me, because these guys care about their teammates. They stay ready during the break… I think winter break is a time where a team can get slightly better, or they can get worse. I’m very proud and confident in these guys putting in the work to get a little better.”

UMF currently leads the NAC in scoring, averaging 93.1 points per game. A major factor of the point production is guard Terion Moss, who is currently third in the nation among Division III schools, averaging 29.1 points per game. Moss is also seventh in the nation in 3-point percentage, with a success rate of 50.8 percent.

Holding down the post has been center Jack Kane, who is fourth in the NAC in scoring (17.8 ppg) and leading the conference in rebounds (10.8 per game) and field goal percentage (65.3). He’s also averaging three blocks per game, second-best in the NAC.

“I think he’s the best defensive player in New England,” Leal said. “All the stuff we get on the offensive end (from Kane) is a bonus. He’s our anchor, he protects the paint and he allows our guards to be extra aggressive. He’s just such a good defensive player, and he’s so consistent.”

Also returning to the floor next week is Thomas College, which entered the break with a 3-4 record (0-1 NAC), its last game a 90-58 win over the University of Maine at Augusta on Dec. 8. The Terriers have four players averaging more than 10 points per game, led by guard Demitris Webster (11.6 ppg) followed by Sawyer Deprey (11.4). Forest Hills graduate Parker Desjardins is third on the team in scoring, averaging 11.1 points per game.

Colby returns Sunday against Maine Maritime Academy. The Mules are currently fourth in the New England Small College Athletic Conference standings with a 6-4 record. Noah Tyson is averaging 14.4 points and 7.8 rebounds for Colby. Matt Hanna (13.1 ppg) and Jack Lawson (12.5 ppg) round out the scoring for Colby.

UMA is already through half of its schedule, and in an interesting situation. The Moose currently own an overall record of 3-12, but are 3-2 in Yankee Small College Conference play, putting them third in the standings. Elijah Smith is averaging 14.5 points per game for the Moose, followed by Trevor Beals (10.9 ppg).

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Colby has been the top area women’s basketball program through the holiday stretch. The Mules have an overall record of 8-1, and begin NESCAC play against Bates College on Tuesday night in Waterville.

What might be standing out the most for the Mules through their first nine games is their defense. As a unit, Colby is ranked third in the NESCAC, allowing 51.7 points per game. Only Amherst (46 ppg) and Bowdoin (51.5 ppg) have held teams to lower numbers.

Caroline Smith leads the Mules offensively, averaging 11.7 points per game, and is tied with Chiamaka Ubani in the team lead for rebounds (5.3 per game).

UMaine-Farmington has had a successful start under interim coach Nate Carson. The Beavers have a 6-4 record (1-1 NAC) and are currently third in the NAC East Division, trailing Maine Maritime and Husson. Guard Alex Bessey is leading UMF in scoring (12.7 ppg), followed by Page Brown (10.9 ppg). Messalonskee graduate McKenna Brodeur is averaging 9.5 points per game and leads the team in rebounding (6.4 per game).

Plymouth State’s Alessia Salzillo, right, and Colby’s Chiamaka Ubani battle for a loose ball during women’s basketball action Dec. 6 in Waterville. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Fellow NAC rival Thomas College is off to a tough start with a young roster, starting the year with a 1-8 (0-1 NAC) record. Kaylee Ravagli leads the Terriers (13.7 ppg), followed by Chantel Ouellette (10.7 ppg).

UMA hit the holiday break on a high note, with a four-game win streak that included a 78-66 win over rival Central Maine Community College on Dec. 6. The Moose, with a 7-4 record (5-1 YSCC) are currently second in the conference standings.

Madeline Suhr is averaging a double-double (18.7 points, 10.4 rebounds) per game for the Moose. Hope Butler is also averaging 11 points per game for UMA.

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The football career of Jake Umberhind will continue next fall.

Umberhind, one of the top linemen in the state and a standout for Winthrop/Monmouth/Hall-Dale, announced on his Twitter page this week that he will attend Division III Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts next fall. Division III programs do not give out athletic scholarships.

Umberhind said he had been in talks with the Buccaneers since last fall.

“They were really impressed with my film and my grades,” Umberhind said. “I’ve been in close contact with them (ever since).”

Umberhind was a key member for a Ramblers squad that finished 7-2, making their first state championship appearance since 2008. The Ramblers fell 19-16 to Foxcroft Academy in the Class D title game on Nov. 19 at Cameron Stadium in Bangor.

Winthrop/Monmouth/Hall-Dale lineman Jacob Umberhind, right, will be playing football for Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the fall. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

“My senior season was amazing,” Umberhind said. “Everyone was working 100 percent of the time. It was just great having everyone being a brother and fighting together. Personally, I thought, offensively, I was really locked in. I knew the plays. I made sure I took out one, two, maybe three players on every play. My defense was just as good.”

The Buccaneers are a member of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). Massachusetts Maritime finished with a 4-6 record last season, sixth in the MASCAC standings.

Even more than hitting the gridiron, Umberhind is excited to pursue his longtime dream of becoming a marine engineer.

“This has been my dream ever since second grade, really,” Umberhind said. “My dad is a marine engineer for (Bath Iron Works) and I always wanted to fill his shoes and be an engineer. I’ve always looked forward to any opportunity with engineering. Now I’m finally here, making my decision for Mass. Maritime. It’s a dream.”