A Boothbay standout high school basketball player has accepted a full scholarship to play Division I basketball in our nation’s capital. Boothbay Region High School junior Faith Blethen will attend Washington, D.C.-based George Washington University in 2019.

Blethen has been a three-year starter for BRHS.  She is best known for being an outstanding defensive player. In each of Blethen’s Seahawk seasons, Boothbay has been among the top teams in Class C. In 2016, she played a significant role in Boothbay’s capturing the Class C Western Regional Championship. This year, Blethen is a key component in the team’s 15-0 record and its being in first place in the Heal point standings.

As a collegian, she is hoping to contribute to the George Washington University Colonials’ success playing in the Atlantic 10 Conference. George Washington is coached by Jennifer Rizzotti who previously coached at the University of Hartford for 17 years. In 1995, Rizzotti  played on the University of Connecticut women’s first NCAA championship basketball team. A year later, she was named female player of the year.

Blethen first made contact with Rizzotti four years ago. Rizzotti was coaching the University of Hartford and made a strong impression on the talented Boothbay middle schooler.

“I had my first unofficial visit with a college as an eighth grader. Speaking with Coach Rizzotti and her staff, I immediately felt these were people I could play for,” Blethen said.

Three years ago, Boston University offered the Boothbay freshman an athletic scholarship. But Blethen was busy considering offers from several  other schools. Ultimately, Blethen selected George Washington because of her comfort with Rizzotti’s coaching staff, the current Colonial players, and the university’s commitment to public service.

“Playing in a major city like Washington, D.C. was an important part of my decision,” she said. “The school’s commitment to public service was another factor. The current players were also a great selling point. I feel there is a likeness in the minds about basketball with them and we built a strong connection during my campus visit. We are still sending each other texts and Snapchats.”

Blethen has been an enthusiastic player ever since she first laced up her sneakers at the local YMCA. As a fifth grader, she committed herself to becoming a top basketball player by joining The Maine Firecrackers AAU (American Amateur Union) basketball club. The Firecrackers were founded in 2007 by Don Briggs and Brian Clement to develop top Maine high school basketball talent.

The team includes several Maine basketball players with Division I college basketball aspirations. Former teammate Emily Esposito of Gorham is playing for Villanova University and current teammate Anna DeWolf of Greely is also bound for a Division I school, according to Blethen. The Firecrackers play a March to August schedule packed with games in Maine, New England and the southern United States.

“Coach Briggs has brought out a different intensity that I don’t think I could’ve gotten without playing AAU. Playing against these amazing players has really helped my game and the coaches expect a lot, and are constantly pushing you,” she said.

For coach and father Brian Blethen, Faith’s choice is one he agrees with. “I think it’s fantastic,” he said. “She and I have established trust with Coach Rizzotti and her staff. George Washington is a good academic school and the school is just a few blocks from the White House. What a wonderful opportunity this is for Faith,” he said.

As a player, Coach Blethen said colleges love Faith’s work ethic. He described her defense as fueling her intensity on the floor. “She enjoys the hard work and that’s what is apparent when you watch her, and why so many colleges were interested in her.”

Faith Blethen also has a unique quality which makes her an outstanding player. “It’s not about how many points you score or how many rebounds you get. She has great vision and is unselfish with the ball. Faith’s best quality is she makes everybody better on the floor,” Coach Blethen said.

Right now, basketball is Faith’s main focus. She hasn’t selected a major, yet. “I’m not sure,” she said.  “Something with math. Right now, I picked a college and that’s about all the decisions I’m ready to make.”

Faith’s possible interests include business or finance.