A remarkable achievement has been celebrated for the University of Maine's women's basketball team! Five exceptional players have been recognized among the top 25 America East players over the last 25 years. This is a testament to the talent and dedication of these athletes and a proud moment for the UMaine community.
The selected players include forward Heather Ernest and guards Kim Corbitt, Blanca Millan, Anne Simon, and Sigi Koizar. UMaine shares this honor with Albany and Vermont, each boasting five representatives on the prestigious list.
But here's where it gets interesting: Hartford, BU, and Stony Brook, who are no longer part of the America East conference, also had players featured on this list. This highlights the historical significance and impact of these players, even beyond their current conference affiliations.
To be considered for this recognition, players had to have played at least two seasons in America East between 2000-01 and 2024-25, and earned all-league honors at least twice. It's an exclusive club, and these women have certainly earned their place.
Now, let's delve into the remarkable achievements of these athletes. Anne Simon and Blanca Millan have achieved a rare feat, being named Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season, not once, but twice! Simon, a native of Sandweiler, Luxembourg, is the school's fifth-leading scorer with an impressive 1,982 points. Her career statistics are equally impressive, averaging 15.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, along with 2.2 steals. Her steals and rebounds rank among the top five and ten, respectively, in school history.
Simon's accolades don't stop there. She was a four-time All-America East selection, including three first-team and all-defensive team honors. She also claimed the league's Rookie of the Year title and was a member of the all-rookie team. In 2023-24, she was crowned the league tournament's most outstanding player.
Millan, from Santiago de Compostela, Spain, is sixth on UMaine's all-time scoring list and 13th in America East with 1,974 points. Her career averages of 15.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game are impressive. Upon graduation, she held the second-most steals in school history with 324 and was third in 3-pointers with 216.
Like Simon, Millan was an All-America East first-team and all-defensive team selection three times and was chosen for the all-rookie team. She too was honored as the league tournament's most outstanding player twice.
Kim Corbitt, a two-time America East Defensive Player of the Year, is fourth on the school's career assists list with 436. Her career averages of 7 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game showcase her well-rounded skills. She was also a two-time All-America East selection.
Heather Ernest, a Farmington native, is seventh on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,804 points in just 115 games. She averaged an impressive 15.7 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. Ernest was named America East Player of the Year twice and was a first-team selection three times. She is also third in school history with 1,040 rebounds. Ernest was crowned the tournament's most outstanding player in 2003-04.
Sigi Koizar, an exchange student from Vienna, Austria, who attended Stearns High School in Millinocket, is the UMaine program's ninth-leading scorer with 1,671 points. Over her 130-game career, she averaged 12.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. She also hit an impressive 186 3-pointers, ranking sixth all-time. Her 179 steals are among the top ten in school history.
Koizar was a three-time All-America East first-team selection, and her 368 career assists are the eighth-most in program history. She even holds the school's single-season record for threes with an incredible 85.
These women have left an indelible mark on UMaine's basketball history. Their achievements are a testament to their hard work, talent, and dedication to the sport.
And this is the part most people miss: these athletes not only excelled on the court but also embodied the spirit of sportsmanship and leadership. Their impact extends beyond the statistics, inspiring future generations of athletes.
So, what do you think? Are these women's achievements a testament to the power of perseverance and talent? Or is there more to the story that we should explore? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below! We'd love to hear your perspective on this remarkable recognition.
