By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

STANDISH — For Julia Quinn and Lexi L’Heureux-Carland, basketball has been more than just a game.

It’s been a special connection — one that started out as little kids trying a sport out for the first time and looking to make new friends to a shared passion to improve one’s skills, to bring a winning attitude to their team, and to ultimately chase titles.

Since fourth grade, Julia and Lexi have been inseparable. They’ve been teammates on the court, on the soccer field and on the softball diamond.

They’ve been close friends — true confidants.

“Me and Julia automatically got along and ended up spending a lot of time together by choice! We went to school together and played all three sports together and were basically inseparable! We are and have always been super honest with each other and I think that is a huge part of why we have been such good friends for so long, I also think that is why we never argue!” Lexi said. “Julia is a really good friend and a very good player. She is extremely driven and hard-working. She is committed to being a good friend and she is committed as a player. She is super reliable in our friendship and loyal. She is always there when I need her.”

“Lexi and I became friends pretty much instantly. We played all of the three same sports (soccer, basketball, and softball) and it just came naturally from being together so often. It’s been so easy staying good friends because we balance each other out and are very honest with one another. We go to each other for that honest advice that most other people wouldn’t give. We have been lucky enough to be playing with each other during play offs in all three sports that we played which is something very special,” Julia said. “I loved how fast pace and intense basketball was. At first, it was something I just liked to do with my friends, but it quickly turned into much more than that. It became a passion.” 

After a very good high school career, both players moved on to the collegiate basketball ranks. It only seemed natural that the duo would write their final hoop chapters as a pair. But, it initially didn’t happen. After strong careers at Fryeburg Academy, Julia and Lexi went their separate ways. Julia went to Endicott, Lexi to Wheaton.

“I chose Endicott because initially it was everything I wanted relating to my major, location, basketball, etc. I loved the people that I met there, but within the first month I realized it wasn’t where I wanted to spend my last four years,” Julia said. “I chose SJC because of the better basketball and education program and proximity to home.”

“I went to Wheaton College because I wanted to experience living outside of Maine and seemed like a great fit! The campus reminded me a lot of my high school and it is a small school that has a very good community. My basketball experience there was demanding because I was not able to go home and see my family as much as I would have liked. But I met some people there that I am still friends with today!” Lexi said. “I decided to transfer ultimately because I was not happy being far from home and the college just didn’t seem like it fit me anymore. I chose Saint Joe’s because of the community that they have here, the basketball program, and because I get to see my family a lot more.” 

Fate brought them back together. An Elementary Education major, Julia left Endicott College midway through her freshman year.

A psychology major, Lexi spent a year-and-a-half at Wheaton before making the decision to move back closer to home, and ultimately be reunited with her long-time sidekick.

“Julia is very honest with me and tells me what I need to do in order to help the team be successful.She is constantly looking to push others around her to get better and she is compassionate and competitive which makes playing with her so much fun,” Lexi said. 

“As a player, Lexi is by far the most positive teammate I have ever had. In all of these sports we have played together, no matter the situation she or the team might be in, she is always lifting the team up. She’s always looking to make the extra pass to her teammate even if she has the wide-open shot. I know her style of play like she knows mine because we have been by each other’s sides since we learned how to dribble,” Julia said. “Aside from being a great teammate, Lexi is also an all-around easy person to be around. She’s always been the friend that I know I can tell anything to without judgment. We can be very open and honest with each other. Lexi is a player and friend that everyone should have. Just playing with someone so unselfish and that works as hard as Lexi is infectious which makes playing with her so much fun.”

It didn’t take too much time for the two to make impacts as players and leaders. Both became captains.

“I was extremely excited and honored to be named captain. I try to make the team better by leading by example and being a positive teammate,” Lexi said. “Julia and I both always pushing that we need to play as a team and lift each other up when things are going good and bad. And that we need to work hard in practice and in games to be successful!”

“It meant a lot to me to be named captain this season with Lexi. Losing four key players last year, it was important for me to continue to show the younger players what being a part of the Saint Joseph’s Women’s Basketball program meant,” Julia said. “Continuing the traditions of hard work and team first mentality is something I wanted to make sure was instilled in my teammates. On top of that, being a verbal captain and calming present on the court is something that I try to bring every chance I get.” 

Both ladies felt a slew of emotions when they were honored before their final regular season game against Regis College. With family and friends in attendance, the two captains were introduced to loud ovations and were presented flowers.

“As my Mom, Dad, sister, brother and grandmother walked onto the court, I couldn’t help but cry. They have done more for me that I can even put into words and I couldn’t be more grateful for the support system that I have, “ Julia said.

“I felt extremely sad that basketball is coming to an end for me. But, I was also super thankful that I got to celebrate with some of my closest friends and family. I am grateful that I got to play for so long and for everything that basketball has given me throughout the years. I am going to miss it!” Lexi said. 

Then, it was time to get down to work. Julia was the ultimate floor general at both ends of the court. She scored a game-high 20 points, including 3-of-6 from behind the 3-point arc while also going 5-of-6 from the foul line to lead the Monks to a 62-46 victory over Regis College.

What went through Julia’s mind after the game? “I will miss my team. I have been fortunate enough to play with some of the best players to ever come through SJC, and play for two of the most successful coaches in Division III. There is something so special about playing for Saint Joseph’s Women’s basketball that I will never forget,” she said. “I can’t even begin to explain what basketball has done for my life. It has been an outlet and passion of mine since the day I started. I don’t remember what life is like without it, and honestly, I am not ready for the day that I have to. In the end, the game has allowed me to feel the highest of highs and lowest of lows, but most importantly it has brought me relationships that I will treasure for the rest of my life.” 

The victory sealed SJC position as the #2 seed in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference tournament.

Lexi filled up the stat sheet in her final regular season game as a Monk with 6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

“My first thought was that I was so thankful that we get to play at home for at least one more game, not many people get to do that! However, I was sad that that game was our last regular season game. Everybody tells you that it goes by fast when you walk in your freshman year, but of course you don’t believe them until it happens to you,” Lexi said. “I will miss doing one of my favorite things in the world with my favorite people in the world. It is truly an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

SJC started its drive to reach the conference finals again, opening with a hard-fought 59-54 win over Johnson & Wales as Julia netted 12 points and dished out 3 assists. Lexi had 6 rebounds.

In the semis against Regis, Julia scored a team-high 14 points to go along with 2 rebounds and 2 assists in a 55-53 squeaker. Lexi had a big game, scoring 11 points and 3 rebounds.

The end of the line came in Boston when the Monks (19-9) fell to top-seed Emmanuel College (21-7) by a 67-50 score in the GNAC championship Saturday. Emmanuel never trailed, building a 14-point lead in the opening quarter.

Selected to the All-Tourney team, Julia had a quiet statistical day in the finals, scoring 4 points and collecting 1 rebound. Lexi, meanwhile, hauled down 5 rebounds and blocked a shot.

SJC proved to be a great fit for the former Raider dynamic duo — both academically (Julia and Lexi were named to the All-GNAC Academic squad) and athletically. Here’s the stat line for the pair:

165 games played

659 points

345 rebounds

200 assists

86 assists

99-18 overall record

52-3 conference play

4 GNAC title appearances

3 NCAA tourney berths

Pretty impressive production by a pair of court sisters.

“Julia and Lexi were great leaders/captains for our team this season. Their impact was much greater than just points scored or rebounds grabbed. They are outstanding students and great role models for our younger players. I am very grateful that they chose to transfer to St. Joes and become part of our basketball family,” said Monk Head Coach Mike McDevitt. “Each year, they improved as players to the point this season where they were major contributors to our team’s success. I can’t imagine our team this season without their support and guidance both on and off the court. I will miss them a great deal next season!”

Both players highly respect their coach and are proud of their SJC careers.

“Coach McDevitt and I have a very unique relationship. Ever since I stepped foot on campus for my first practice all the way to now, he has pushed me to be the best I can be mentally and physically. Even though some days he could scream at me till he’s red in the face, I know the next day I could go into his office and talk to him about anything,” Julia said. “Having a coach that cares not only about basketball but you as a person is something you don’t find everywhere and has made the journey that much better.” 

“I like playing for my coach at SJC because he cares so much about the sport and his players. He is constantly checking in on us and making sure that the things in our lives are okay outside of basketball. We know we can go talk to him and be open with him. He is extremely competitive and works hard each and every day to make us better players,” Lexi said. “I am most proud of keeping the SJC basketball team traditions alive, staying positive and being a good teammate.”

With their competitive hoop careers concluded, Julia and Lexi will always hold onto the great memories sports brought and the tight friendship formed.

“Basketball is way more than just a sport. It has given me long lasting friendships, taught me how to be committed, how to persevere, work ethic, and that good things don’t come easy,” Lexi said. “It is truly such a special thing. I would have not wanted to do it with anyone else. She has taught me so much and allowed me to grow as a person and a player. I am so grateful!”

“Ultimately, I am most proud of being part of such a well-respected, successful basketball program,” Julia said. “Being teammates with Lexi for so long is something neither of us really even think about. This isn’t something that everyone gets to experience and I am thankful that we got to do it together.”