University of Maine women’s basketball coach Amy Vachon said she has known Bailey Breen since the current high school player was nine years old.
And she is going to get to know her really well beginning next fall when the 6-foot-3 post player from South Thomaston and formerly Oceanside High School in Rockland joins four other newcomers to the Black Bear basketball program.
Breen verbally committed to UMaine earlier this month and signed a National Letter of Intent this week as did guard/forward Mackenzie Mori from Wethersfield, Conn. and guards Abby Price from Boca Raton, Fla., Olivia Alvarez Tirado from Madrid, Spain and Ashlyne ‘Lala’ Woods from Wheeling, West Virginia.
The recruits will arrive at an opportune time as the Black Bears will lose three starters off this year’s team in Paula Gallego, Caroline Bornemann and Olivia Rockwood. They will also lose sixth woman Sera Hodgson.
Bornemann is a guard-forward while the other three are guards.
However, they will regain the services of two-time All-America East first team selection and 2022-23 AE Player the Year Adrianna Smith, who is sitting out this season after having knee surgery.
And two-time Maine schoolgirl Gatorade Player of the Year Maddie Fitzpatrick will be making her UMaine debut after also undergoing knee surgery which has wiped out her freshman season.
“The Class of 2025 is critical to continuing the success of Maine women’s basketball,” said Vachon in a press release. “Each one of these young women fit with our culture off the court and will contribute to the winning tradition on the court. Black Bear Nation will be ecstatic that they chose UMaine to be their home for the next four years.”
Breen is spending her high school senior season playing for three-time national champion Montverde Academy in Florida after guiding Oceanside to two state Class B championships in three years.
She averaged 28 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.1 blocked shots and 1.2 steals in leading the Mariners to a 22-0 season and the state title last winter.
She was a Bangor Daily News All-Maine Schoolgirl first team selection after being a second-teamer in her first two seasons.
“Watching her develop through the years as a basketball player has been a joy,” said Vachon. “What really has impressed me is her drive to be the absolute best she can be. Bailey’s basketball IQ is a big strength as is her versatility in playing with her back to the basket or stepping out and shooting the three.”
Woods, a 5-6 guard, is a two-time first team selection and one-time second team choice who guided her Wheeling Park team to the West Virginia 4A state title last season.
She will miss her senior season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee during a summer league game.
She amassed 1,213 career points, 304 assists and 168 3-pointers in her three seasons at Wheeling Park.
“Lala is a combo guard that can score the basketball and also hit her teammates when they are open,” said Vachon. “She is driven to be the very best in all aspects of her game and I know that her best years are in front of her.”
The 5-8 Alvarez Tirado averaged 12 points, 5.8 assists and 4.3 steals for her Baloncesto Torrelodones club team in Madrid and represented Madrid in the Spanish State Championship in 2023 and was the team’s leading scorer and top 3-point shooter.
“Olivia is one of those players who make her teammates better whether that is by getting them involved with her passing or inspiring them with her defense. She is a versatile guard who is willing to do whatever she needs for her team to win,” said Vachon.
Mori and Price are both 5-11 and are from basketball families.
Mori began her high school career at Wethersfield High School and is now attending Hamden Hall Country Day School.
She averaged 23 points and eight rebounds at Hamden Hall and was an All-New England Preparatory School Athletic Council selection and a first team All-Fairchester Athletic Association choice.
“When you watch her play, you immediately notice that she plays the game the right way,” said Vachon. “Mackenzie is a versatile player that can shoot, drive and post-up if needed. She fits our style extremely well.”
Price is an All-Broward County selection who averaged double-digit scoring her sophomore and junior seasons.
“Abby brings a high level of competitiveness and work ethic to UMaine,” said Vachon. “She has a high IQ that will help her transition to the next level. Abby is a knock-down shooter that has played with and against some of the best players in the country in high school and AAU.”
Their coming to UMaine is dependent on being accepted into the school and meeting NCAA requirements.
