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Mike Hart thought his Morse High girls’ basketball team would be good this year, even without some foreign aid. The Shipbuilders of Bath had a strong returning crew from last year’s Eastern Class A semifinalists and figured to be right in the middle of the playoff race again.

But after going 7-0 – and pounding a lot of opponents – the Shipbuilders have thrust themselves into the upper echelon of Eastern Class A schools.

“We’re doing some good things here right now,” said Hart.

Hart had plenty of talent returning, led by senior center Tarra Burr and junior guard Tori Field. The foreign aid came in the form of Danish exchange students Nikoline Ostergaard and Emma Block. The 6-foot tall Ostergaard, in particular, has made a huge impact.

She leads the Shipbuilders with 20.5 points, 3.2 assists and 8.3 rebounds per game. She’s also blocking about four shots a game.

“She is a unique 6-footer,” said Hart. “She had a great handle on the ball so we can put her on the wing and she blends in there as well as the guards too. She is fun to watch. “

Ostergaard is no stranger to the folks in Bath. Her mom is originally from Topsham and her grandparents still live here. In fact, Hart said Ostergaard used to come to Bath during the summer when she was younger and play with the Morse girls.

The 5-foot-11 Burr, another inside-outside threat, is averaging 10.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

“She’s doing all the little things,” said Hart. “I’m pleased with how she has approached the first half of her senior season.”

He likes where the team is right now. “I do think we would have been successful without the two new kids,” he said. “We were returning kids who want to play. And the kids are buying into what we’re trying to do here.”

The Shipbuilders have a big week, with home games against Bangor (4-2) Tuesday and Edward Little (5-0) Friday.

DEERING MAY have made a big point when the Rams beat McAuley 52-48 in the finals of the Capital City Hoop Classic in Augusta last week. The Lions are regarded as the team to beat in Western Class A, with Deering close behind.

Asked what the outcome meant, Deering Coach Mike Murphy said, “I don’t know.”

But Amy Vachon, the first-year coach at McAuley, did. “It means Deering is better than us right now. They beat us fair and square. We have some work to do if we’re going to beat them. Everywhere.”

The teams will play twice in the regular season, Feb. 3 at Deering and Feb. 11 at McAuley in the season finale. “And then who knows after that,” said Murphy.

Murphy said he was pleased with where his team is right now. “The kids are jelling and doing the things we’re asking, and then some,” he said. “They’re good teammates to each other and they push each other. And they’ve really responded on the floor.”

Vachon said the whole experience was good for the Lions.

“One of the good things about the Christmas tournament is that we saw where our weaknesses are,” she said. “We’re getting there. We’re definitely a lot better than we were a month ago.”

JUST LIKE last year, York lost in the finals of its Christmas tournament to Massachusetts team. Reading beat the Wildcats, 42-35.

And just like last year, it might be York’s last loss of the season. The Wildcats are steamrolling their Western Class B opponents.

“This is why we do this, to pick up tough opponents,” said York Coach Rick Clark, whose team beat Oyster River, N.H., in the other game. “Practice the next day was – how would I describe it? – very focused.

“I think we knew, and this certainly reminded us, that there’s more work to do. And it certainly woke us up.”

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at: mlowe@pressherald.com