On Aug. 21, the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame opened its doors at the Bangor Cross Insurance Center to induct its inaugural class.

Fifteen players, five coaches, one official, one contributor, and one team made the first cut, along with a “Legends of the Game” list of honorary inductees. To become eligible, certain criteria must be met. Players are considered 20 years after they finish playing, and coaches have to have at least 20 years of experience.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the gala itself, as over 500 family members, friends and fans celebrated each of the inductees with speeches, storytelling and video presentations. However, the opening of the physical hall was a sight to behold. 

An entire timeline of Maine high school hoops, spanning 1905 to the present, wrapped throughout the long corridor of the Cross Insurance Center.

Did you know that in the '20s, the Maine State Basketball Commission finally mandated at least two feet of clearance behind each backboard? Apparently, players were running up the gym walls to attempt shots! And in the '40s, a rule was implemented so that coaches could actually join their teams and play in the games!

It wasn’t until the mid-1960s that the game was finally modernized enough to resemble what we now know as contemporary high school basketball. On the girls side, it took until the mid-1970s.

On the opposite side of the timeline corridor are a series of trophy cases filled with classic memorabilia. Gold balls, county championships, players' sneakers, tourney programs and team photos have been gathered from schools all over the state to help bring the hall to life.

Boothbay was represented in both the trophy case and along the timeline. Boothbay Harbor High School captured the Knox Lincoln County Championship in 1954. Their trophy is on display, while on the timeline, a picture of Ian McConnell from the 2001 state championship game highlights that era of hoops.

The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame is a great tribute to Maine’s most celebrated sport. There’s a rich basketball tradition in our corner of the country, and as the game continues to evolve and new stars come to light, the Hall will serve to unite the legends of past, present and future.