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From her days as a star for Mt. Blue High School to a standout on the University of Maine court, basketball fans across the state have fallen in love with Heather Ernest, and with good reason.
In her fourth and final season, the two-time Conference Player of the Year led the Black Bears to the first round of the NCAA tournament, something they hadn’t done since before Ernest’s freshman year.
When she began her career at Maine, she was expecting the team to go to the NCAA tournament, which it had done for six straight seasons prior to her arrival, from 1995-2000.
After the 2000 season, women’s basketball head coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie left Maine for Michigan State, and in came Sharon Versyp, a little known assistant from Indiana, who had been an assistant at James Madison University. After being recruited by Palombo- McCallie, Ernest ended up playing for Versyp. In her freshman season, Maine finished 12-16. A losing season at Maine was not what Ernest expected.
In her second season the Black Bears improved on their record but again lost in the first round of the America East tournament to Hartford. Fast forward to her junior year, the year Ernest’s hard work began to pay off. Heading into the conference tournament in 2003, the Black Bears, with their 25-4 overall record and 16-0 conference record at the time, looked unbeatable. They advanced to the conference championship game by beating Hartford and New Hampshire, and were one win away from the NCAA tournament. Maine played Boston University in the championship and lost. Versyp told Ernest and the other incoming seniors after the game to “remember this feeling.” She knew they would get another chance at the tournament in 2004, with most of the team’s players returning.
The 2003-2004 season rolled around and a determined Ernest and her teammates were ready to go after an NCAA bid. Maine finished 5-5 in its tough non-conference schedule and then went 17-1 in conference play. The team’s only loss came at home to Vermont on senior night in honor of Maine’s three seniors, Julie Veilleux, Melissa Heon and Ernest. After the game, Ernest grabbed a microphone and thanked the crowd and said “this really stinks,” referring to losing their last home game. She brought a smile to the faces of everyone in Alfond Arena, which helped many people wipe away the tears.
Maine entered the conference tournament in Hartford, again as the No. 1 seed. The women defeated New Hampshire, then Albany, and again faced BU in the conference championship. This time Ernest and her Black Bears would not be denied the opportunity to go to the Big Dance. Maine defeated the Terriers 68-43. The team met Texas Tech in the first round of the NCAA tournament but came up short, 60-50. For Ernest what counted was being there. Her team accomplished all the goals it set at the beginning of the season.
“We went out and accomplished everything that was on our goal sheet, which is kind of amazing since not many teams get to do that,” Ernest said. “We were kind of disappointed in the way it ended obviously. We thought we could have played better against Texas Tech.”
Ernest did not have her best game against Texas Tech, but no one can take anything away from what she accomplished during her four years at Maine.
“I missed a couple of easy lay-ups,” Ernest said . “It just kind of happens, you know, the ball just wouldn’t go in.”
Maine fans will remember Ernest for her two Conference Player of the Year awards, her 1,000 points and her 1,000 rebounds. Although, Ernest is modest and does not like to talk about herself much, she did admit she had one personal goal entering her senior season.
“The only goal I had personally was to get over 1,000 rebounds,” she said.
Mission accomplished.
While Ernest found her first few years at Maine surprising, she could not have asked for a better ending.
“I definitely wasn’t ready for the first two years, the way they turned out,” she said. “I wouldn’t wish myself anywhere else. I’m very glad we got the chance to experience the NCAA tournament, not just for the seniors, but for the underclassmen so they know how hard they have to work.”
In her four years at Maine, Ernest made one trip to the NCAA tournament. She understands how hard it is to get there and she was determined make it.
“I’m pretty happy,” Ernest said. “Of course it would have been nice to go all four years but it didn’t work out that way.”
Ernest would not have rather played anywhere else or for a different coach. She has great respect to Joanne Palombo-McCallie but also feels Versyp can continue to do well at Maine.
“I’m happy for her.” said Ernest of McCallie. “She’s very successful. She’s going to be successful wherever she goes.”
McCallie’s Michigan State team lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament this year to Texas.
As for Versyp, Ernest thinks she has a solid team returning next year.
“The girls that didn’t play very much this year are extremely talented because they play against us every day in practice and kick our butts and make us better,” Ernest said. “They can definitely play. They just haven’t had the game time experience, which will come.”
Maine fans will miss Ernest, now that her exceptional career with the Black Bears is over. She may play professionally down the road, but she is not sure yet.
“I might have an opportunity to play overseas,” said Ernest, “so I might do that.”
Whatever she decides to do, chances are good she will be successful. A state championship her senior year at Mt. Blue, an America East title her senior year at Maine, wherever she goes she makes people around her better. She made Maine a winner.
Bangor Daily News