03/22/2008
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Staff photo by Joe Phelanfrom the Kennebec Journal
QUESTIONS REMAIN
No complaints from those who switched to Somerset County center
Vote on 1 may hurt some in election
Steeple at center of debate in Whitefield
VETERANS REQUIRE ASSISTANCE: Homelessness takes center stage
J.P. DEVINE: Overcome sadness with hope
BASKETBALL: NBA Hall of Famer Barry doles out advice at Thomas College
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY: Maranacook sophomore Mace dominates Class B field
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
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Officials report cheaper, better service after switch
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All of today's:
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from the Morning Sentinel
Staff Writer
The stoic facade Cony High School senior Rachael Mack presents during basketball games belies what's happening underneath.
"I call her the Robert Parish of Cony High School," Cony coach Paul Vachon said, alluding to the stone-faced former Boston Celtics center. "You don't know if you're winning or losing by her facial expressions."
No danger of that with Vachon who wears his basketball heart on his sleeve. But Mack simply finds this the best way to channel her energy.
"That's how I control my emotions," Mack said. "If I got mad, I just wouldn't focus on the game."
Mack's focus helped the young Rams to an 18-3 record this year as well as Maine's most prestigious individual awards: Miss Maine Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year.
Mack averaged 18.2 points and 10.7 rebounds a game this season and -- along with Shelby Pelkey, Cony's only other senior -- emerged as a team leader. For her efforts, Mack has been selected Kennebec Journal Girls Player of the Year. Also considered were Pelkey and Monmouth Academy's Jenn Lola.
Like her on-court demeanor, the 6-foot-1 Mack compiled her statistics quietly, often surprising coaches and opponents by game's end.
"She gets open when she has to and finishes when she has to," Pelkey said.
A complementary player for the first three years of her high school career, Mack evolved into an all-around player this season, often receiving the ball in the low post and kicking it back out to Cony's 3-point shooters.
The slender Mack posted up out of necessity but admits "I'm not much of a back-to-the-basket player."
She was much more effective when facing the basket and pulling the trigger on her jump shot, which this season extended to the 3-point line.
"She has the touch," Pelkey said.
Mack will play at Colby next season and plans to work even more on her outside shot during the summer.
She played on two Class A state championship teams at Cony and calls her experiences there invaluable, on and off the court.
"It's an experience you can't match," she said. "Everyone involved in the Cony program is like a family. So many people follow Cony basketball because we have such a good tradition."
She also has great admiration for Vachon, who she sees as misunderstood at times by people who only observe him on the sidelines.
"He's the nicest person in the world," Mack said. "He just cares so much about his players. He's made me expand outside my quiet exterior."
Vachon has seen Mack grow on and off the basketball court.
"As soon as she knows you, she is probably as personable as any player I've ever had," he said.
Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638
ghawkins@centralmaine.com
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