Greenville girls should contend for state title next year
GREENVILLE — Greenville High School athletes have grit and determination, that’s for sure! And, this school near the shores of Moosehead Lake has long been known as the little school with the big heart. That attitude has been the foundation for their sports programs for years. It’s what garnered Greenville softball the win over Penobscot Valley last June, making them Class D champions.
Several of that same group were on Greenville’s basketball roster as well, and this past February, they distinguished themselves by winning the semifinal game against Rangeley, 41-20. On March 2 they faced the Southern Aroostook Warriors at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor for the state championship. Greenville lost to Southern Aroostook but that’s only part of the story. They faced a taller team, with almost twice as many players, and they gave it all they had. I decided to find out a bit more about these special Lakers.
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D SOUTH CHAMPIONS — The Greenville girls pose for a photo after defeating Rangeley for the Class D South championship last month in Augusta. Front, from left, Morgan Noyes, Jessica Pomerleau,Tiegan Murray, Ashley Bussell and Lila Kronholm. Back, assistant coach Tyler Muzzy, coach Dawna Blackstone, Abby Carrier, Halle Pelletier, Bianca Breton, Managers Emily Vraux and Chelsea Warman and coach Maren Mason.
Coaches Maren Mason and Dawna Blackstone emphasized how pleased they were with the girls’ performance this season. “This team has tenacity — they keep at it, working hard and never giving up,” Blackstone said. “They are all natural athletes, and our core of five players has been friends and teammates since they were very young so that helps them play together well. Our defense is really good and has helped us win games. They are just a great group of girls who make coaching fun,” she added.
Mason concurred, “The majority of these girls have been playing basketball together since they were in elementary school.”
The team consists of one senior, five juniors and two freshmen. I spoke with the coaches and asked them their impressions of the players.
Senior Abby Carrier was a wonderful leader, according to Mason. “She played key minutes for us in every game and she had a great tournament week in Augusta,” Mason said. “Junior Halle Pelletier is our center and ‘go-to’ girl.” Pelletier made first team for the Penobscot Valley Conference and was also awarded the Patricia Gallagher Award, which is given to the most outstanding girl’s player in the Class D South tourney.
“Junior Jessica Pomerleau is our playmaker and sparkplug,” Mason smiled. And Morgan Noyes — also a junior — was top defender according to Mason. Pomerleau averaged seven points per game with two rebounds and two steals. She also made PVC first team; Noyes made the PVC All-Defensive Team.
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READY FOR NEXT SEASON — The Lakers’ Lila Kronholm reaches for the ball during the Class D championship against Southern Aroostook at the Cross Center in Bangor. Greenville fell to Southern Aroostook but with the bulk of the roster returning players and coaches are already anticipating the 2019-20 season.
“Junior Teigan Murray is a fierce player,” stated Mason. “She is the shortest on our team at 5’2” but plays like she’s six feet. And her classmate, Bianca Breton is our most ‘natural’ athlete who can do just about anything you ask of her.” Breton and Murray averaged five points per game with seven rebounds and two steals.
Two freshmen rounded out the team – Lila Kronholm and Ashley Bussell. “Lila has come a long way in one season,” said Mason. “She is tall, and can rebound the ball well and Ashley was always composed on the court. She is a very smart player.”
Mason was quick to point out the uniqueness of this team. “They have a special bond that is like nothing I’ve seen before. That’s why it makes them so special. I’ve had the privilege of working with this group of girls since their sixth-grade year, so it’s been fun to watch them not only grow as a team, but as individuals.”
Blackstone concurred, “This team has tenacity — they keep at it, working hard and never giving up. They are all natural athletes, and our core of five players has been friends and teammates since they were very young so that helps them play together well. Our defense is really good and has helped us win games. They are just a great group of girls who make coaching fun.”
Both coaches anticipate working with the girls in the next basketball season. “I look forward to seeing the improvement that will come to the girls,” said Blackstone. “Every year, they have improved, but with the playing and extra work that will happen this summer, the improvement will be even greater. I think that they will be at the top of the pack and have a very successful season.”
Mason agreed exclaiming, “I’m ready for next season to start right now! In the past, with the girls working summer jobs and playing summer softball/soccer, basketball has been put on the back burner for quite a few years. This summer that is changing. The girls know that we may, and should, have another shot at a gold ball next year. We are going to work off-season as much as possible to refine not just our team play, but individual skills as well. The girls have a fire now, and they know they are very capable of having a second run. I think you will see them dig down deeper and do what is needed to bring that gold ball home. They have the drive, the desire and the devotion to become state champs.”
Sports announcer Lisa Richards, who covered their final game at the Cross Center summed it up nicely, “The Greenville team exceeded their expectations this year – they are up and coming in Class D,” she said. “They’ll put the work in over the summer and hope to increase the strength of schedule this coming season. Don’t count them out for the gold ball next year!”