Stephen Alex, Portland, senior forward: Alex was co-player of the year in the SMAA. He averaged 16.6 points and 6.0 rebounds, and led the league with 4.0 steals per game. He played in two Class A state finals, winning as a junior and losing as a senior. He was outstanding on the fast break.
Drew Bartlett, Marshwood, senior guard: Bartlett led the SMAA in scoring at 22.1 points and made 66 3-pointers, 17 more than anyone else. Portland Coach Joe Russo said, “We put a guy in his face in both games and he still had 18 and 20 points against us.” Bartlett finished with 740 career points, 407 as a senior. He will play at Emmanuel College in Boston.
Kyle Bouchard, Houlton, senior forward: The 6-foot-4 Bouchard is a repeat all-state selection. He won the state’s Mr. Basketball award, averaging 21.4 points, 10.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season. Bouchard led the Shiretowners to the Class C state title as a junior and finished his career with 1,815 points. He will play at Bentley University.
Nicholas DePatsy, Medomak Valley, junior guard: The 6-foot-3 DePatsy averaged 21.6 points and 8.4 rebounds in leading the Panthers to the Class B state final. He scored a school-record 48 points in the opener against Belfast. A coach’s son, DePatsy is unselfish and fundamentally sound. He shot 82 percent from the free-throw line. He has 911 career points.
Andrew Fleming, Oxford Hills, junior forward: The 6-foot-5 Fleming averaged 16.6 points despite being doubled-teamed in nearly every game. He also averaged 10.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals. He had 27 points and 20 rebounds against Edward Little, and 22 points and 20 rebounds against Cony.
Nick Gilpin, Hampden Academy, junior guard: The 6-foot-1 Gilpin sparked the Broncos to the Class A championship, averaging 16 points, seven assists and eight rebounds. He has been on two state championship teams in three seasons.
Eric Hoogterp, Old Town, senior guard: The 6-foot-2 Hoogterp averaged 18.4 points, 5.6 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 steals. As a junior, he led the Coyotes to the Class B state championship. He scored 25 points in the first half against Presque Isle on Dec. 13 and finished with 29 despite sitting out the fourth quarter.
Ben Malloy, Bonny Eagle, senior forward: Malloy averaged 19.5 points and 5.9 rebounds, and tied for second in the SMAA in 3-pointers with 49. He played in three Western Class A finals and was a semifinalist for Mr. Basketball. A four-year starter, Malloy finished with 1,058 points. He will attend St. Joseph’s College.
Justin Martin, Winslow, senior center: The 6-foot-6 Martin was the KVAC Class B Player of the Year. He averaged 19.3 points, 14.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks, and finished his career with more than 900 points and 700 rebounds. Martin scored 31 points in the Eastern Class B final against Medomak Valley.
Nick Mayo, Messalonskee, senior center: The 6-foot-8 Mayo, the KVAC Class A Player of the Year, averaged 24.2 points, 13.4 rebounds and 3.3 blocks to lead the conference in all three categories. He was a finalist for Mr. Basketball. He will play at Division I Eastern Kentucky.
Jack Simonds, Falmouth, senior forward: The 6-foot-6 Simonds is a repeat all-state selection and was a finalist for Mr. Basketball. He scored 42 points against South Portland in the Western Class A semifinals. Simonds averaged 23.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He finished his career with 1,101 points and 612 rebounds. He will play at Bowdoin.
Kevin Weisser, Windham, senior forward: The 6-foot-4 Weisser averaged 21 points and seven rebounds. He tied for second in the league in 3-pointers with 49 and scored at least 14 points in all but two games. Co-player of the year in SMAA, Weisser finished the season with 60 blocks.
Coach of the Year
Jim Ray, Cape Elizabeth: The final play of the season personified Ray’s philosophy – look for the open man. Eddie Galvin’s pass to Ethan Murphy for a layup at the buzzer gave the Capers the Class B state championship – the first Gold Ball in Ray’s 21 seasons as a head coach.
– Tom Chard
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