Maine – On Friday, March 19, the Maine Association of Basketball Coaches (MABC) announced award recipients at the 41st annual Maine McDonald’s® High School Senior All-Star Basketball awards ceremony, which was held virtually.
Mr. and Miss Maine Basketball Recipients
Emily Archibald of Kennebunk was crowned Miss Maine Basketball, while Mr. Maine Basketball honors went to Cash McClure of Maranacook. “This is the highest individual award presented to a male and female high school senior basketball player in the state,” said Peter Murray, president of the Maine Association of Basketball Coaches. “It is awarded for commitment, dedication and excellence on and off the court throughout a player’s high school career.”
Academic All-State Scholarship Recipients
A $2,000 scholarship is awarded to one member of the Girls’ All-State Academic Team and one member of the Boys’ All-State Academic Team. Kylie Brown of Boothbay Region High School and Zakary Mills of Penquis Valley High School received the Maine McDonald’s Academic All-State Scholarship awards.
Maine McDonald’s Spirit of the Game Awards
The Maine McDonald’s Spirit of the Game Awards are given annually to high school basketball team members who embody the spirit of the sport, exemplify sportsmanship, inspire their teammates and coaches, and have shown the ability to overcome obstacles and boundaries.
The 2021 Joshua Titus Spirit of the Game Award was presented to Donovan Kurt of Nokomis High School. In March of 2020, Donovan was diagnosed with cancer and after undergoing rigorous chemotherapy and radiation treatments returned to play sports his senior year.
The 2021 Patrick Thibodeau Spirit of the Game Award was presented Gemima Motema and Amanda Kabantu of Portland High School. Amanda and Gemima came to Portland several years ago from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Now seniors, the cousins lead and inspire their teammates with their drive and empathy both on and off the court.
MABC Media Award and Bob Brown Contributor Award
Each year the Maine Association of Basketball Coaches recognizes two individuals who display exceptional commitment to the sport of basketball.
This year’s Bob Brown Contributor Award winner is the legendary I.J. Pinkham, who has more wins than any other coach in Maine high school basketball history.
The MABC Media Award was presented to Fred Grant and his team at WHOU.
About the All-Star Event
More information about the Maine McDonald’s High School Senior All-Star Basketball Games is available at www.rmhcmaine.org/mcdonalds-basketball/.
The 2021 All-Star Games mark locally owned Maine McDonald’s 33rd consecutive year as lead sponsor of this event with net proceeds to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Bangor and the Ronald McDonald House Portland. Since 1983, RMHC Maine has been a place of comfort, care, compassion, and hope for thousands of families on the medical journey of their child’s illness. More information is available at www.rmhcmaine.org.
