Though the Eastern Maine High School Basketball Tournament ended three weeks ago, players were recognized for their accomplishments by being named to the Bangor Daily News All-Tournament Teams.
Houlton junior forward Kyle Bouchard was picked as the William C. Warner Award winner, as the Most Valuable Player of the Class C Tournament.
The Warner Award, established in 1994 in memory of a former Bangor Daily News sports editor and reporter, and BDN Eastern Maine all-tournament teams were selected by a vote of media, tournament personnel and Maine Principals’ Association representatives.
Bouchard, a co-MVP his freshman year in 2012, averaged 16.7 points and 12 rebounds in three games, as the Shiretowners won their first Eastern Maine crown since 2004. Bouchard was the go-to guy in each of the games, as he had 22 points and 11 rebounds in Houlton’s semifinal win over Penquis and he added 13 points, nine rebounds and six assists in the championship game against Lee Academy.
As impressive as his offensive and defensive stats, is his passing ability. When he draws a crowd, Bouchard has the court vision to find the open teammate, making him an all-around threat, as he racks up numerous assists each game.
Joining Bouchard on the All-Tourney Class C Team was teammate Nick Guiod, along with Trevor Lyford of Penquis Valley of Milo, Cherif Fall of Lee Academy and Kyle Johnson of Calais.
Guiod, who ran the point for the Shiretowners, makes his second straight all-tourney appearance. The Houlton senior scored a team-high 17 points in the championship game and 14 in the semifinals. He is an excellent free throw shooter, which was a key in both games, as he was a combined 18 of 19 from the free throw line.
Honorable mention for their performances went to Christian Crane of Houlton; Tyler Niles, Calais; Frank Tsoungui, Lee Academy; Gage Feeney, Washington Academy; and Jake Koffman, Orono.
The Class D All-Tournament MVP was another clear-cut choice, as Hodgdon’s Chris Hudson earned the honor.
Hudson, described as a player-coach on the floor, dominated the Class D tournament with 24.7 points and 15.7 rebounds over three games — a 30-point, 23-rebound effort in the quarters against Fort Fairfield; a 19-point, 12-rebound and three blocked shots to knock off unbeaten Easton in the semis; and, 25 points, 12 rebounds in the title game against Southern Aroostook.
Hudson guided the Hawks to their first Eastern Maine crown since 1996.
Joining Hudson on the Class D All-Tourney Team were: Jacob Rioux of Van Buren, Hunter Turner of Easton and Southern Aroostook teammates Cameron Landry and Nolan Altvater.
Southern Aroostook was ahead of schedule as far as Coach Bill McAvoy had estimated at the start of the 2013-14 campaign. McAvoy figured it would take a couple of years for his young players to make it deep into the tournament, but he was pleasantly surprised. The Warriors were battling for the Eastern Maine Class D title against Hodgdon, but fell short of the prize, 49-37.
Landry, a junior guard, and freshman Altvater were selected for the All-Tourney team, as Landry averaged 16.3 points over three games, 18 points in both the semifinal game against Van Buren and the finals against Hodgdon.
Altvater had 13 points, 6.3 rebounds, including 20 points and seven rebounds in the quarterfinals against Deer Isle-Stonington.
Class D honorable mention nominees were: Deyrell Vargas and Tyler Sherman, Hodgdon; Jackson Mathers, Southern Aroostook; Logan Halvorson, Easton; and Sterling Beal, Jonesport-Beals.
In Class C girls, Houlton’s Katie Condon was named to the All-Tournament team for her performance in two games at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
Condon scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds in Houlton’s semifinal loss to Calais after posting 13 points, four rebounds and two assists in the quarterfinal win over Dexter.
Earning Class C girls honorable mention were: Sydney Robertson, Mattanawcook; Katie Sypher, Orono; Anna Ramsay, Narraguagus; and, Natalie Hill, Houlton.
Though the Houlton Pioneer Times coverage does not include any Class A teams, one team was of particular interest to the community and that was Hampden Academy.
The Gilpin brothers, Zach and Nick, sons of Carol Bubar Gilpin and the late Peter Gilpin, are both pivotal players for the Broncos. Many remember Carol from her standout playing days at both Hodgdon and Houlton schools.
The Bangor Daily News will also feature its 59th All-Maine Teams next month.
Zach Gilpin is just the second boys player to be named a three-time William C. Warner Most Valuable Player for the Eastern Maine Class A Tournament. He joins Tyler McFarland, who led the Camden-Rockport Windjammers to consecutive Eastern B championships in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
