Boothbay Region High School girls basketball coach Bruce Orne said he was proud of his players for never giving up in games, despite some one-sided scores, at the brief awards night ceremony held in the gym at BRHS Wednesday, March 20. Boothbay, which finished the season at 5-13, is headed in the right direction, according to Orne.

Orne also praised his players for helping teach the game during the season to youngsters in the newly created Boothbay Region Youth Basketball program.

“You were pioneers for this program and that was great,” he told the players.

“The middle part of the season saw you improve your games and I enjoyed watching some good, competitive basketball,” said Orne.

Orne thanked the players’ parents for their support, his assistant coaches Jesse Peters and Laura Murphy for their dedication, then presented plaques to begin the 15-minute ceremony. Bella Orr, a junior who was not in attendance, received most valuable player as the team’s leading scorer; Sophie White, a sophomore, received the most improved player plaque for showing “improvement in her game mostly on the defensive end of the court;” and senior captain Meg Sledge received the coach’s award plaque. “Meg showed the best leadership of any player I have coached,” said Orne.

Orr and Sledge also received certificates as Mountain Valley Conference honorable mention all stars. Senior Sarah Kreft received an MVC certificate as an academic all-star.

Each player received certificates and some received emblems. Orne also provided notes to each player about the past season and their future work on improvement.