When Christian McCue fouled out with 2 minutes, 48 seconds leftin the Eastern Maine Class A boys basketball final, more than fewfans -- even those who supported McCue and the top-ranked HampdenAcademy Broncos -- were unsure if they would hold on to bring theprogram its first regional title since 2006.
That they did is a testament to the depth of talent on coach RussBartlett's roster. That they had a chance stemmed in large part fromMcCue's leadership both throughout the regular season and duringtournament time.
For his efforts in leading Hampden to three straight postseasonwins at the Augusta Civic Center, McCue has been named the Class Arecipient of the William C. Warner Most Valuable Player Award.
Joining the 6-foot-2 senior guard as recipients of the WarnerAward are Jake Palmer of Gardiner in Class B, senior guard D.J.Johnson of Lee Academy and freshman forward Kyle Bouchard of Houltonin Class C, and junior forward Garet Beal of Jonesport-Beals inClass D.
The Warner Award, established in 1994 in memory of a formerBangor Daily News sports editor and reporter, and BDN Eastern Maineall-tournament teams were selected by a vote of media, tournamentpersonnel and representatives of the Maine Principals' Association.
Class A
McCue, one of the more accurate 3-point shooters in EasternMaine, used the threat of the long-range shot to facilitate drivesto the basket and trips to the free-throw line during the regionaltournament.
McCue led the Broncos in scoring both in the final against Mt.Blue of Farmington and in Hampden's quarterfinal victory overErskine Academy of South China while becoming the first Hampdenplayer to win the Warner Award since Jordan Cook -- now an assistantcoach for the Broncos -- won in both 2005 and 2006.
Senior center Fred Knight was a focal point of a Hampden defensethat allowed just 39.7 points per game during the tournament. Healso displayed a soft shooting touch for the Broncos, highlighted bya 16-point, seven-rebound semifinal win over defending statechampion Bangor. Knight was named winner of the Al Halliday Awardsymbolic of the Eastern A tournament's outstanding player-sportsman.
Cam Sennick was the leader of a senior-laden Mt. Blue team thatreached the Eastern Maine championship game for the first time in 15years. The 6-6 center scored an Eastern A tournament-best 29 pointsin the Cougars' quarterfinal victory over Brunswick.
Eric Berry was the perimeter complement to Sennick for coach JimBessey's Cougars, and sparked Mt. Blue's second-half comebackagainst Hampden in the regional final.
Quin Leary, like McCue and Berry an honorable mention all-tournament choice last winter, helped seventh-seeded Edward Littleof Auburn earn a quarterfinal upset of No. 2 Lewiston with 16 pointsand 12 rebounds, and also helped EL stay close with Mt. Blue untilthe final seconds of its 52-49 semifinal defeat.
Class B
Palmer was the offensive catalyst for Gardiner, which won thefirst EM boys basketball championship in school history. The seniorguard scored 33 points in a semifinal upset of No. 2 Medomak Valleyof Waldoboro, shooting 11 for 11 from the free-throw line during thefourth quarter.
Palmer then scored 23 points in the regional final, including 10in the first quarter to help get coach Jason Cassidy's club off to afast start against top-ranked and previously unbeaten Mount DesertIsland.
MDI reached that final thanks in great part to senior forwardJayson Burke, who was a consistent source of offense and reboundingduring the tournament, including 18 points during a semifinal winover Presque Isle and 15 points and 15 rebounds in the final.
Gardiner's Aaron Toman rebounded from a two-point semifinalperformance with a big game against MDI in the finals, displayinghis midrange accuracy while scoring 16 points and grabbing eightrebounds. An honorable mention all-tournament choice a year ago, thesenior center also scored 14 points during an overtime victory overNokomis of Newport in the quarterfinals.
Junior center Adam Gray worked in tandem with Burke to give MDIstrong inside play throughout the tournament, and his 17-pointperformance against Gardiner in the final helping the Trojans staywithin striking range after the Tigers took an early lead.
Junior center John Murray, who missed 10 regular-season gameswith a knee injury, showed himself in fine form during tournamentplay. After earning honorable mention status a year ago, the MedomakValley center debuted this year with 19 points and 10 reboundsduring a quarterfinal victory over Oceanside of Rockland-Thomaston.
Class C
Johnson was the veteran presence that sparked Lee Academy to itssecond straight EM championship, while Bouchard defied his youth tolead Houlton to its first regional final since 2004.
Johnson became the second straight Warner Award winner from Lee,joining 2011 recipient A.J. Harris. The senior guard scored 25points and grabbed seven rebounds during a double-overtime semifinalsurvival of Penquis of Milo in the semifinals, then scored 12 pointsin the final.
Bouchard not only showed considerable talent but great composurein leading the youthful Shiretowners to the title game. He scored 20points in a semifinal win over Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln, butmade his biggest play in the final seconds when he drew a double-team but found open teammate Nick Guiod for the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. He followed that with another 20-pointperformance against Lee.
Boubacar Diallo emerged as an explosive scorer for Lee, with 20points in the quarterfinals and 25 points -- 21 in the second half -- as the Pandas overcame Houlton in the championship game. Thesophomore had a knack for working his way through the lane for high-percentage shots, and when his initial attempt did go in he was aneffective offensive rebounder.
Trevor Lyford and Isaiah Bess, as they did throughout the regularseason in leading Penquis of Milo to a 16-2 record, showed theBangor Auditorium crowds why they are considered one of the bettersophomore tandems in Eastern Maine, if not beyond.
Lyford scored 30 points during a quarterfinal victory over FortKent, then had 17 points in the semifinals when the Patriots tookLee Academy to the limit in the semifinals. Bess had 24 points,eight rebounds and five steals in the semis after a 16-pointquarterfinal performance.
Senior guard Chase Vicaire showed off his offensive skills fromthe moment he stepped on the Bangor Auditorium floor, scoring 31points as Mattanawcook Academy upended No. 3 Calais in thequarterfinals. He followed that with 13 points in the Lynx'semifinal loss to Houlton.
Class D
Beal and his Jonesport-Beals teammates -- motivated by havingcome so close to regional glory each of the past two seasons only tofall short -- were determined not to let this third opportunityelude them.
Beal, an all-tournament choice last year and honorable mention asa freshman, led the Royals to their first EM crown since 1999 with adisplay of versatility that included scoring, rebounding andballhandling. The junior forward had 20 points, 12 rebounds and sixassists in a semifinal win over Katahdin of Stacyville, and alsoscored 20 points against Deer Isle-Stonington in the final inbecoming the first Warner Award winner from Jonesport-Beals sinceJosh Knowlton in 1999.
Sam Grindle sparked sixth-seeded Deer Isle-Stonington to back-to-back upsets of No. 3 Washburn and No. 2 Central Aroostook before theMariners succumbed to Jonesport-Beals despite a 26-point performanceby the junior guard. Grindle also scored 23 points in the semifinalsas Deer Isle-Stonington ousted Central Aroostook, the defendingstate champion.
Matthew Alley, a four-year starter for Jonesport-Beals who was anhonorable mention all-tournament choice last year, played aprominent perimeter role for the Royals but also worked inside,grabbing eight rebounds during the quarterfinals. Alley went on toscore 25 points in the semifinals on 11 of 17 shooting from thefield, then added 11 points to the title-game win.
McClung, the tournament MVP a year ago while leading CentralAroostook to its fourth state title in seven years, returned toBangor with another strong two-game performance this winter. Hescored 21 points in both the quarterfinals and semifinals, with 13rebounds in the semifinal loss to Deer Isle-Stonington.
Justin Alley, an all-tournament choice in 2010 and an honorablemention selection last winter, provided Jonesport-Beals the insidestrength to complement Beal and Matthew Alley. He averaged 8.7rebounds per game during tournament play, and his 6-6 presence inthe middle proved to be an effective defensive deterrent.
