Windham resident and University of New
England freshman Sadie Nelson was recently named the Common Coast Conference
Basketball rookie of the week for the third time in as many weeks. She was also chosen
as the Maine Women's Basketball Coaches Association (MWBCA) Rookie of the Week.
For the week ending December 4,th 18-year-old, 5’10” (on
paper) Nelson averaged 16.7 points, 4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 3 steals per
game in a 2-1 week for UNE. Nelson scored a career high 27 points in a win over
Salve Regina. She shot 51.3 percent from the floor for the week.
This is not surprising as Nelson is no
stranger to excelling on the basketball court and appears to be picking up
where she left off during her years at Windham High School where she reached a
challenging and important milestone of scoring over 1,000 points. She also
participated in soccer and softball while attending WHS where she was
McDonald’s all-star and first team all-conference performer in basketball.
“Sadie is off to a great start at UNE playing
on the women’s basketball team. I’m not surprised she is contributing as soon
as she has. All the tools to compete at the collegiate level are in her possession,”
said Windham High School athletic director Rich Drummond.
But this just explains her skill set on
a physical level. It takes more than that to make a great player. “In looking
at what makes Sadie a great player I would have to say her attitude is first
and foremost. During her years at WHS she was very coachable and brought a
positive attitude to the teams she participated on. She is truly blessed with
basketball talent and that was obtained through countless hours of work and
dedication,” continued Drummond.
Clearly her attitude has been her
biggest asset having devoted countless hours over the years improving her game
through the support of her coaches, teammates and family, added Drummond.
However, Nelson’s contributions are not
limited to the court. “It also needs to be mentioned that along with all of the
hours she has devoted to her game, she has put in just as much time giving back
to her community. During her four years as a varsity player she was seen
countless times working with future Windham Lady Eagles Basketball team, improving
their skills as players during the season and in the summer. UNE has obtained a
great player, but a better person to represent their school on and off the
court,” concluded Drummond.
But it wasn’t always easy. “I have a
good work ethic but I kind of lost that in my senior year. I didn’t have a
normal life. I missed that. All I did was play basketball so I didn’t like it
that much anymore. So I was nervous about going to UNE because I didn’t have
that good of a last season, but UNE has really changed my perspective and got
me back to the way I used to be. I really enjoy playing basketball,” shared
Nelson
There also can be pressure to be good.
“When I was younger I did feel some. When I was a freshman in high school I
didn’t have a lot of confidence compared to now. I probably put more pressure
on myself then, but I definitely learned to move away from that. Now I feel
like I am on a team with players that are more experienced and it’s not as
hard. I’m not the focus anymore. There are a lot of players around me that are
really, really good, like player of the year,” she said.
According to Nelson her coaches were
instrumental in her success. “I love both coaches. I really love head coach
Brody Artes. He took me in when I was a freshman and made me into a great
player. With UNE head coach Anthony Ewing I am learning a lot more. I’m
becoming a more defensive and offensive player. In high school it was a lot of
offense and now I really have to play defense before stepping out onto the
court. It’s been different having to learn at a faster pace. That’s probably
been the biggest challenges. But I think I’m progressing pretty well. I started
off shaky, but I’m moving my way up,”
Nelson does her best to stay in touch
with former coaches and teammates. “Coach Artes came out to see my first game.
That meant a lot. I haven’t seen one of their games yet but I’m on break so I
will try to get to as many games as I can. I still stay in touch with WHS
players. I still miss playing here but I’m glad I can come back and look at it.”
With plans of living at home the next couple of years she will have more
opportunity.
As for what she would like to accomplish
going forward, Nelson stated, “I would like to get another 1,000 points while
at UNE. I am averaging a bit more points per game than I was as a freshman at
WHS and we play more games at the college level. I just have to continue to get
better every day.”
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