The AAU practice will be in New Hampshire, and while she’s in the neighborhood, she’s thinking she’ll swing over to the campus of the University of New Hampshire and stock up on athletic wear. 

Afterall, Anderson just decided to make UNH her new home.

“I’m really excited about being a Wildcat,” said Anderson. “I have practice in New Hampshire, so I might stop by and grab some UNH gear.”

Anderson plans on wearing Wildcat colors for years to come. She verbally committed to UNH Thursday night, accepting a full scholarship and basketball future in Durham.

“It’s just a really good fit,” said Anderson, a junior guard. “I really like the campus. The coaching staff is awesome there. What they offered school-wise is perfect for me. The team is awesome. So overall, it’s a great fit for me.”

Anderson had been mulling over her options for some time and had pretty much narrowed the field down to UNH. Then she decided to make her choice final. Rider, Vermont and Maine all had offered her scholarships. Schools like Gonzaga, Navy, San Diego and Davidson had also expressed interest.

Anderson says Maine was a consideration, being her state school and having her sister, Courtney, already playing for the Black Bears.

“It was tempting,” she said. “I like Maine obviously because my sister is there. Just overall, personality-wise, UNH fit me better.”

She knows some of the current Wildcats as well as some players who are also intending to go to UNH. That played a factor in her decision as well.

“All the pieces seemed to work for me,” said Anderson, who hopes to study engineering. “The coaching staff was a huge part of it. Knowing some of the girls that are going there and will be going there with me is a nice part, too.”

Courtney Anderson was a non-scholarship player as a freshman last year with the Black Bears. Now the Anderson sister will play against each other when Maine and UNH meet in future seasons.

“It’s going to be weird being rivals,” said Anderson.

Anderson had shared the backcourt with her sister the previous two seasons at Leavitt but shouldered more responsibility this winter. She didn’t disappoint as Leavitt attempted to defend its Class B state title. Anderson led the Hornets to the Western B semifinal where they lost a thrilling overtime game to Lake Region, the eventual regional champs.

Anderson led Leavitt with 27 points, 5.6 rebounds, 8 assists, 4.9 steals and 68 3’s, an average of nearly four per game. She reached the 1,000-point mark during the season as well.

Anderson is one of many recent Maine high school players that have opted to play college ball out of state. Deering’s Kayla Burchill and York’s Niki Taylor both went to Vermont and were freshmen last year. McAuley’s Alexa Coulombe recently committed to Boston College.

“It’s really nice to be able to look down the road and decide that’s where I’m going,” she said. “Now I can play AAU and they can see me play. Now I can just play for fun.”

kmills@sunjournal.com