Male:

CHRIS HAMBLETT, Senior—Basketball

• McDonald’s Senior All-Star
• Team MVP
• Captain

Hamblett did a little of everything for the Panthers this season, excelling as not only a player, but as a team leader as well.

Hamblett also plays lacrosse at NYA and has made his mark in cross country, being named Fall Male Athlete of the Year in both 2019 and 2020. Hamblett starting basketball at a young age in Boothbay. He came to NYA as a freshman and immediately became a starter on the varsity team.

“What I love about the sport is the competition, friendships and the feeling of winning with my team,” said Hamblett. “Whenever it comes to something athletic, it brings me joy and I like putting in the hard work because then it pays off in the future.”

Hamblett was part of competitive teams his first three years and as a junior, the Panthers made it to the Class C South semifinals.

This winter, despite the season being shortened, Hamblett sparkled, serving as the focal point of the offense, while also cleaning the glass, distributing the ball to open teammates and playing strong defense.

Hamblett finished first in the Western Maine Conference in steals with 4 per game, was fourth in scoring (19.7 points per contest), placed eighth in assists (3.3) and also averaged 5.8 rebounds.

Highlights included 15 points and seven assists in a win over Sacopee Valley, 16 points in a victory over Richmond, a double-double (21 points, 10 rebounds) in a second win over Sacopee Valley, 17 points in a loss to Waynflete, 24 points, eight rebounds and five steals in a second victory over Richmond, 22 points in a win at St. Dom’s, 22 points, five assists and five steals in a home win over St. Dom’s and 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals in a loss at Waynflete.

“Chris is one of those players who is going to unfortunately fall short of the 1,000-point plateau as a result of this abbreviated season,” said NYA coach Jason Knight. “Had we played a full slate of games, he would have surpassed that with his scoring average.”

Hamblett wound up with 829 career points, averaging 12.5 per game, and had 254 rebounds, 218 steals and 217 assists. That’s very impressive stat sheet-stuffing.

“I wouldn’t have been as successful in my four years at NYA if I didn’t have my coaches and my teammates,” Hamblett said. “They pushed me harder and harder every day, which I couldn’t be more thankful for now since four years of high school has flown by so fast.”

Hamblett is undecided on his college destination and whether or not he’ll compete in sports.

He’ll certainly leave his imprint on his high school. Chris Hamblett, North Yarmouth Academy’s Winter Male Athlete of the Year, checked all the boxes when it came to greatness on the court.

Coach Jason Knight’s comment: “Chris was our leader on both ends of the floor this year and he put the team on his back in a number of our games. His unique combination of size, skill, speed and athleticism made him a tough matchup, but he was certainly fun to watch and coach. He has been an important part of the success of our program over the past four years.”

Previous winners:

2019-20 Te’Andre King (basketball)

2018-19 Te’Andre King (basketball)

2017-18 Brent Rickett (hockey)

2016-17 Jake Malcom (basketball)

2015-16 Bobby Murray (hockey)

2014-15 Brad Potter (hockey)

2013-14 Michael McIntosh (track)

2012-13 T.J. Daigler (hockey)

2011-12 Asad Dahia (basketball)

2010-11 Ian Moore (skiing)

2009-10 Henry Sterling (track)

2008-09 Henry Sterling (track)

2007-08 Ian Nichols (swimming)

2006-07 Chris Engel (swimming)

2005-06 Rob Carpenter (track)

2004-05 Tim DeLuca (basketball)

2003-04 Dan Bartlett (hockey)

2002-03 Steve Lawrence (hockey)

2001-02 Matt Smith (hockey)

Female:

ANGEL HUNTSMAN, Sophomore—Basketball

* Team MVP

A budding star blossomed this winter, as Huntsman became one of the finest point guards around and one of the most exciting to watch, leading NYA to another memorable campaign.

Huntsman, who also stars in soccer and softball, started playing basketball in the third grade and even played for a time in a boys’ league.

“I like the challenge that the sport of basketball throws at me,” said Huntsman. “Every game is different and the momentum can change in a heartbeat.”

In addition to suiting up for NYA, Huntsman has played for the Maniacs AAU team and credits Toby Martin, a former point guard at the collegiate and professional ranks, for helping her with her training.

Huntsman was on the NYA varsity as a freshman, but didn’t play point guard. This winter, she took over control of the team and did the Panthers ever thrive under her leadership.

Huntsman led the team and was seventh in the Western Maine Conference in scoring with 15 points per game. She led NYA and the WMC in assists with 7.8 per contest and was also first in the league in steals with 5.7 per game.

Highlights included 23 points in a season-opening win over Sacopee Valley, 27 points in a victory over Richmond, 10 points, eight steals and five assists in a second win over Sacopee Valley,  14 points, five assists and three steals in a win over Morse, 12 rebounds, 10 assists and six steals in a second victory over Richmond, a triple-double (10 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists) in a win over St. Dom’s, 16 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals in a narrow loss to last year’s Class AA South champion, South Portland, and 21 points in a season-ending win over Lisbon.

“I love being a point guard because I can dictate the speed of the game and it is just as fulfilling to me when my teammates score as when I do myself,” said Huntsman, who is now 25-5 in her two years as a starter.

Huntsman has two more years to lead the Panthers to great things, then don’t be surprised if she takes her talents to the next level.

“Playing college basketball has been my goal for as long as I can remember,” Huntsman said. “I’m really just looking for a program where I can be able to contribute and hopefully one that plays up-tempo basketball like we play at NYA.”

Catch her while you can. Angel Huntsman, North Yarmouth Academy’s Winter Female Athlete of the Year, is a tremendous player, an unrivaled passer and is as unselfish a point guard as you’ll find.

Coach Tom Robinson’s comment: “Angel is a confident player who will take on any challenge. She has from day one been a valuable member of the varsity team. As a freshman, she started every game and scored 116 points at a position she had never played before. Angel is a true, natural point guard in every sense. She handles pressure, has great court awareness, advances the ball and makes everyone better around her. She can get to the rim and knock down the jumper. She puts a lot into her game and it shows. We believe in pressure defense and up-tempo offense and I can’t think of anyone I would rather have at the point. She fits our style and kids love to run the floor and get rewarded with the ball. She balances her hard work with a joy and level of fun and enjoyment that is a pleasure to coach. She will continue to grow as a leader on and off the court over the next two seasons.”

Previous winners:

2019-20 Lauren Powers (hockey)

2018-19 Catherine Reid (basketball)

2017-18 Maggie Larson (basketball)

2016-17 Isabelle See (track)

2015-16 Sonia Lin (swimming)

2014-15 Alex Barnes (hockey)

2013-14 Sonia Lin (swimming)

2012-13 Sonia Lin (swimming)

2011-12 Morgan Scully (basketball)

2010-11 Blair Haggett (basketball)

2009-10 Emily McKinnon (swimming)

2008-09 Courtney Dumont (hockey)

2007-08 Courtney Dumont (hockey)

2006-07 Ingrid Knowles (Nordic skiing)

2005-06 Ingrid Knowles (Nordic skiing)

2004-05 Kathryn Engel (swimming)

2003-04 Teddy Fortin (hockey)

2002-03 Bobbi Dennison (basketball)

2001-02 Ashley Spicer (basketball)

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter:@foresports.

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