Houlton High School freshman guard Kolleen Bouchard made a lasting impression in her first Eastern Maine Class C girls basketball tournament, as she earned the rare honor of being chosen the Bangor Daily New’s Owen Osborne Most Valuable Player.
Bouchard led the Lady Shires to the regional championship with a strong offensive performance, as well as a defensive presence. She was a unanimous selection among media representatives and longtime officials and observers.
Fellow Aroostook County standouts seniors Hannah Graham of Presque Isle and Mackenzie Worcester of Washburn were the MVP winners in Classes B and D, respectively.
The MVPs are members of the BDN All-Tourney teams for each class, which have named the following for Class C:
Bouchard poured in 53 points as the Lady Shires defeated Central, Piscataquis Community High School of Guilford and Dexter.
The versatile and athletic Bouchard had 20 points against Central of Corinth; 13 points, three steals and two blocked shots against PCHS and capped her performance with a memorable showing in the title game victory over Dexter as she had 20 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots.
She can penetrate and score from inside, produce points off the offensive glass or hit the outside jumper.
Bouchard was joined on the Class C All-Tourney team by teammate Katie Condon, a junior forward; Calais senior guard Maddy McVicar and Dexter senior Michaela White and sophomore center Megan Peach.
Condon had 11 points against Central, while tossing in nine points and grabbing 10 rebounds against PCHS. In the triumph over Dexter, Condon had limited playing time as she ran into foul trouble, but still managed to grab six rebounds.