Now the duo hope their skills and abilities can help the University of Maine at Farmington men’s basketball team gain a spot in the North Atlantic Conference playoffs.

Both were highly successful athletes while playing at Mt. Blue High School, graduating in 2012.

“A conference championship is always a goal to start the season,” Hilton said. “It’s something you aim for every year.”

“Getting into the playoffs is certainly a first step,” Berry added. “We need a strong mindset to play good defense and players with will power.”

Hilton returns as the Beavers leading scorer and rebounder from last season, tossing in 390 points while collecting 190 rebounds. At 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, Hilton’s slight build is deceiving. The senior has learned to find productive routes to the basket.

“Nick has grown into a very good player,” said coach Dick Meader, who is in his 23rd season at UMF. “He allows the game to come to him. At the end of last year, he was very good and will play a key role for us this season.”

Berry, only a sophomore after taking a couple of seasons off, has been featured for the Beavers in a role off the bench. His hustle and extreme desire to play hard proved a valuable resource for the team. Berry averaged 6.4 points per outing while dishing out 49 assist and making 22 steals.

“Coming into the game Eric gave us energy,” Meader said. “He plays at the intensity you want the other guys to play. Eric rebounds well, does all the hard things in basketball. He gives you the toughness we need.”

A year ago, the Beavers finished 9-16, failing to make the NAC playoffs. They do, however, return a wealth of talent from that team.

Seniors Logan Nichols (Poland) and Ryan Camire (Sanford) started every game for UMF as juniors. They bring quickness and experience to a squad that needs to find its way inside to battle on the glass.

“Logan and Ryan are back on the perimeter,“ Meader said. “We have a veteran team that knows what we want and need to do.”

At 6-foot-5 former, Westbrook standout Sean Murphy adds a scoring touch to compliment Hilton’s offense and should help the Beavers with his outstanding perimeter shooting — something UMF will need to pull opponents away from the basket. Murphy, who hasn’t played basketball for several seasons, most recently pitched for the University of Southern Maine before transferring to UMF.

Meader’s big concern will be on the boards due to a lack of a true post player. UMF could struggle in that area, especially down the stretch in tight games.

“We need the inside presence in the paint,” he said. “To compensate we need to play better team defense and pressure the ball.”

Two returning players, who have yet to see action and are relegated to the bench until cleared to play are seniors Jimmie Chaisson (6-foot-3) and Dustin Zamboni (6-foot-4). Both bring a high level of intensity to the Beavers game and could give UMF a major boost when the pair return to the lineup.

UMF opens the regular season with three non-conference games at home in November. The University of New England comes to Dearborn Gymnasium on the 19th for the opener.