GORHAM, Maine - Samantha Norris, head coach of the University of Southern Maine Huskies' women's basketball team, announced the addition of Sandi Purcell to her coaching staff. Purcell joined the Huskies' staff as an assistant coach at the beginning of the 2020-2021 season.
A 2018 graduate of Keene State College, Purcell was a four-year member and two-year captain of the women's basketball team. The 20th player in the Owls' history to score 1000 points in her career, Purcell helped lead the team to its first and only Little East Championship in 2017. Purcell completed her career at Keene State as the program's seventh leading scorer.
"We are thrilled to have Sandi join our coaching staff," said Norris. "She brings a wealth of knowledge, compassionate leadership, and fierce competitiveness to our team with her experience in high-caliber programs such as Keene State, Bishop Guertin, and the Basketball Development School AAU family."
Following her time at Keene State, Purcell worked with the AAU Program Basketball Development School and the Bishop Guertin High School girls basketball team. With the Basketball Development School, Purcell coached athletes from grades 7 through 10 and was integral in the execution of skill sessions, camps, and tryouts.
As the head junior varsity coach at Bishop Guertin, Purcell led her 2019-20 team to an undefeated season, and a junior varsity state championship. The Bishop Guertin varsity team, for which Purcell was an assistant coach, has been a dominant force in New Hampshire High School Girls Basketball, winning the last five NHIAA state championships.
"Being a former player in the Little East Conference, I have always admired the coaching style of Coach Norris, and look forward to the knowledge I will gain from working beside her," said Purcell. "Southern Maine has such a reputable women's basketball program, and I am thrilled to be a part of it."
The Huskies resumed practice after winter break and are slated to start competing at the end of February.
"Sandi has already hit the ground running in her role as assistant coach," said Norris. "Our student-athletes are soaking in her mentality and perspective.
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