McAuley Lions

2009-10 Winter Female Athlete of the Year:

ALEXA COULOMBE, Sophomore-Basketball

• * SMAA All-Conference, first team

• * SMAA All-Defensive team

With McAuley junior standout Rebecca Knight injured for much of the season, the Lions could have faded into obscurity this winter.

Instead, thanks in large part to the multi-faceted skills of sophomore Alexa Coulombe, McAuley was one of the top teams in the league.

Coulombe, who plays and acts like she’s much older, etched her name in Lions lore with her standout defense, shot-blocking acumen and ability to score at will. She helped her team reach the semifinals and it’s safe to say that McAuley will be one of the favorites next winter.

For being such an up-and-comer, with the promise of even greater feats to come and for stepping up as a team leader, who excelled on both ends of the floor, Alexa Coulombe is The Forecaster’s choice for McAuley’s 2009-10 Winter Female Athlete of the Year.

Coulombe lives in Falmouth. She started playing basketball in the third grade and began to focus on it year-round in her eighth grade year. She made her mark on the McAuley varsity as a freshman, but really sparkled this season.

Coulombe first broke out in the fourth game, a victory over new rival Cheverus, when she finished in double-figures in not only points and rebounds, but also in blocked shots. She had 17 points, 13 boards and 10 blocks in a win over Noble, a team-high 15 points in a loss to Scarborough, 14 points versus South Portland, 11 points and 16 boards in a close loss to Biddeford, 15 rebounds against Westbrook, 13 points versus Gorham, 17 points in a second win over Cheverus and 11 points, 11 boards and seven blocks in an overtime loss to Deering.

For the regular season, Coulombe led the league in blocks (5.2 per game) and rebounds (11), had 10.2 points per contest, 3.3 assists and 2.8 steals. In short, she stood tall all year and was one of the (if not the) most dominating forces in the SMAA.

In a quarterfinal round playoff win over Gorham, Coulombe had 10 points, nine rebounds, nine blocks and three assists. McAuley’s season ended with a close loss to Deering in the semis, but Coulombe had seven points in that one.

Coulombe, who also plays for the Crusaders AAU team, is a member of McAuley’s Spanish and Ambassadors Clubs. She hopes to play in college and had a chance to develop her perimeter game this season. She figures to be even more of a force the next two years when the Lions seek to get back to the pinnacle.

For this player and her fans, the fun is just beginning. Alexa Coulombe, McAuley’s 2009-10 Winter Female Athlete of the Year, is already a star with an unlimited potential.

Coach Wil Smith’s comment: “Alexa anchored our defense in a way that allowed us to challenge teams on the perimeter. Out of necessity, she was more of a factor on the offensive end. She handled the ball, went inside and made key outside shots. She sees the floor well. She’s multi-faceted. She’s a player every coach wants to have. As outstanding as she is, she has the potential to do so much more. I’m sure she will.”

2008-09 winner: Kristen Desrosiers (Swimming)

2007-08 winner: Kristen Desrosiers (Swimming)

2006-07 winner: Abby Wentworth (Basketball)

2005-06 winner: Ashley Cimino (Basketball)

2004-05 winner: Tara Beaulieu (Basketball)

2003-04 winner: Katie Donnelly (Indoor track)

Sidebar Elements

---

Coulombe