Faith Blethen, Boothbay junior guard: The 6-foot-1 Blethen is regarded as one of the state’s best all-around players. In helping the Seahawks to the Class C South final, she averaged 15.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.1 steals, 4.5 assists and 2.4 blocks. She has 802 career points and has verbally committed to play at George Washington University.
Kolleen Bouchard, Houlton senior forward: The Miss Maine Basketball winner, Maine Gatorade winner and a three-time All-State selection, Bouchard was a dominant four-year starter for the Shiretowners, who reached four straight state championship games. This season, she averaged 27.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 3.2 steals and 2.9 blocks. For her career, she scored 2,046 points.
Page Brown, Boothbay senior center: A 5-foot-11 center, Brown was a finalist for Miss Maine Basketball and a dominant player in Class C for three years. This season, she averaged 19.7 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.5 steals. For her career, Brown scored 1,395 points. She’ll play next at St. Joseph’s College.
Anna DeWolfe, Greely junior point guard: Our Player of the Year and a three-time All-State selection, DeWolfe led the Rangers to the Class A state championship, averaging 22.9 points, 4.6 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 3.2 steals. She has 1,382 career points and has verbally committed to play at Fordham University.
Sophie Glidden, Scarborough senior forward: One of the most versatile players in the SMAA, Glidden helped the Red Storm reach the Class AA South final. She averaged 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals. For her career, she had 921 points and 513 rebounds. She’ll play next at Stonehill College.
Mackenzie Holmes, Gorham junior center: A repeat All-State selection, the 6-foot-2 Holmes is perhaps the state’s dominant inside player. She averaged 21.1 points, 13.3 rebounds, 5.1 blocked shots and 2.8 steals to lead the Rams to the Class AA South title. In her career, she has 1,150 points, 684 rebounds and 281 blocked shots. She has verbally committed to play at Indiana University.
Charlotte MacMillan, Brunswick junior guard: The KVAC South Player of the Year, MacMillan moved from the point to the wing and led the Dragons in scoring with 14.8 points per game. She always drew the toughest defensive assignment and averaged 6.2 rebounds, 4.9 steals and 2.9 assists.
Grace Martin, Biddeford junior guard: The 6-foot-1 Martin led the SMAA in scoring with 23.7 points per game and was third in rebounding with 11.2, along with 2.5 steals. She possesses a nice jumper and likes to drive to the basket and initiate contact. She hit 76 percent of her free throws.
Gemima Motemba, Portland freshman guard: One of three players who joined the Bulldogs from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Motemba had a huge impact as Portland improved from three wins to 13 and a berth in the Class AA North semifinals. She was a first-team, all-defense and all-rookie SMAA pick, averaging 12.3 points, 4.0 steals and 1.8 blocks.
Ally Turner, Messalonskee senior guard: A repeat All-State selection, Turner was the offensive and defensive catalyst for the Eagles in their run to the Class A North final. She averaged 12 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.1 steals. Turner has accepted a lacrosse scholarship to Wagner University.
Emily Wheaton, Presque Isle senior forward: A finalist for Miss Maine Basketball, Wheaton will play next at Husson University. As the Wildcats’ go-to player, she averaged 22.9 points, 4.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 steals. She scored 1,309 points in her career.
Maggie Whitmore, South Portland sophomore forward: A first-team all-SMAA selection, Whitmore was often the difference maker for the top-ranked Red Riots. A tough player to defend inside, she expanded her game to include a mid-range jumper. She averaged 13.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.5 steals while hitting a league-high 86 percent of her foul shots.
Coach of the Year
Chris Cifelli, Edward Little: Cifelli was an assistant for 12 years before taking over as head coach this season, and he certainly pushed the right buttons, leading Edward Little to the Class AA title. He incorporated many of previous coach Craig Jipson’s philosophies with his own, getting his players to believe in each other and the team first. With a smaller lineup, he changed the team’s style to one that spread the floor and relied on athleticism and intensity. “The biggest thing was that the kids bought into the process,” he said. “Give the girls a lot of the credit.”
– Mike Lowe
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