i GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Gaudy numbers, titles define Frame's career
Morning Sentinel
GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Gaudy numbers, titles define Frame's career
BY MATT DIFILIPPO, Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 03/28/2009

If you weren't convinced how good Morgan Frame is, you got an idea in the Eastern B final against John Bapst. After 20 games of double teams, triple teams and other defenses designed around her, Frame was being guarded one-on-one.

"We got really excited," Waterville coach Ted Rioux remembered. "It's what we've been waiting for. I just called timeout and said, 'They're single-covering her. Give her the ball until they change that.' "

Frame finished with 36 points and 12 rebounds in that game, and then added 22 points and 21 rebounds against York in the state final as the Purple Panthers won their third consecutive Gold Ball.

For the season, Frame averaged 21 points, 16.2 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and 3.1 assists per game, making her the choice for the Morning Sentinel Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Mt. Abram guard Kenni Norton was also considered.

Those last two games were a fitting end to Frame's career at Waterville, which ended with the Panthers winning 66 consecutive regular season and Class B tournament games. According to Rioux, she holds the all-time Waterville girls scoring record with 1,301 points.

"I really wouldn't change anything," Frame said. "I think everyone was really happy with everything that happened, especially this year. It was exactly what we expected, exactly what we wanted to do."

Frame, a 6-foot-1 center, could score posting up against other centers. But much of the time, Frame scored her points by getting in position and dropping in an offensive rebound.

In the quarterfinals against Mattanawcook, all of Frame's baskets were second-chance points, but she still had 19 points and nearly outscored the Lynx by herself in a 50-21 win.

"She's someone who understands that, 'If this isn't working, I'm going to get my points this way,' " Rioux said. "That's what makes her so special."

In college, Frame will be playing at the Division II level at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire. She said she'll start lifting and working more on her ball-handling and 15-foot jump shot.

"It's an awesome school," Frame said. "My cousin actually went there and he loved it. When I went there, I was completely comfortable. The coaches are absolutely amazing and I love every one of them. When I stayed with the girls, they were all really welcoming, really nice. It was just a perfect fit."

Rioux believes Frame could have played at the Division I level, as he thinks her three-point shooting ability and excellent quickness off the dribble -- skills she never used in Waterville games because she didn't need to -- will serve her well at the next level.

"Morgan is someone who plays extremely well in big games," Rioux said. "When she knows she's going up against a good player, she's extremely focused. In Division II, she's going to face a good player every night. I think that's right up Morgan's alley."

Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

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