Firecracker freshman, Holmes offered scholarship to UNH
Gorham post receives first offer during visit to America East school
Mackenzie Holmes and her dad visited the University of New Hampshire on Sunday to observe practice and get a tour of the school and facilities. At the end of the visit they sat down with Coach Maureen Magarity … A scholarship offer was the topic of that conversation!
For those that know Mackenzie, this is something she has dreamed about for a long time. You could say she was born into a basketball family. Both Mom and Dad were outstanding players in high school and continued their careers in college. Being in a gym was like home in many ways.
Lenny and Denise have been involved with basketball as high school coaches and more recently (last 12 years) in AAU. They are very knowledgeable about the process. But with that said, the offer from UNH came as a pleasant surprise halfway through Mackenzie’s freshman year.
“When I received the call from Mackenzie on the way home from UNH last night I couldn’t have been more excited” said Don Briggs, her Firecracker coach. “I know how much time she has put into the game … I know the commitment she has made … And no one has a better team first attitude. She is an absolute pleasure to coach and today is just a testament to her and her family for the sacrifices they have made over many years.”
It wasn’t always easy. Mackenzie recently joined the Firecracker program (a year ago), and it became painfully clear she needed to improve her conditioning. To her credit she allowed herself to be coached, put in the extra effort outside of practice, and transformed herself into a Division I athlete. “I speak with a lot of college coaches on a daily basis”, said Briggs. “The consistent theme in those conversations is Mackenzie’s motor … She is an active post player both on offense and defense. It is very rare to have that mindset at such a young age. I am reminded of a sequence this past fall at a Division I viewing period game at a Tabor Academy. Mackenzie blocked a shot at one end and scored a layup at the other end as she sprinted the floor in front of 50-plus coaches. That is a differentiator …”
Seldom do people achieve success without the support of others and this is the case with Mackenzie. Mom, Dad, her stepmother Joan and big brother Cam (lot’s of games of one-on-one) have worked tirelessly in their support of helping her develop the necessary basketball and life skills. Also included in her support is her time playing for Dudley Davis and the YES! program, and more recently playing for Coach Berthiaume and the Gorham Rams.
“I am confident there will be more offers coming”, said Briggs. “With our recent agreement to join the ASGR Summer League visibility will be the highest it’s ever been. Mackenzie has the skills, footwork, soft hands, physicality, and attitude to have a lot of options as to where she wants to go to school before her high school career is over. For now, she can enjoy this offer from UNH and stay focused on her teammates and the pursuit of a Gold Ball.”
With this offer, Mackenzie becomes the 16th Firecracker to receive a basketball scholarship.