Sports banquet honors fall athletes

BILL PEARSON, Staff Reporter
Fri, 11/07/2014 - 8:45am
FOOTBALL COACH BRYAN DIONNE presents offensive and defensive lineman Doug Steinmetz with “The Golden Hammer” during the Nov. 5 Fall Sports Banquet. “The Golden Hammer” symbolizes a blue collar work ethic. The award is presented to lineman who best epitomizes that devotion to hard work and excellence. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
BOOTHBAY REGION BOOSTER president Heather O’Brien was the guest speaker at the Oct. 5 fall sports night. O’Brien, a 1990 BRHS graduate and three sport athlete, described how participating in sports helped her become more confident and more willing to participate in community events. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
GIRLS’ SOCCER AWARD recipients are, from left, Lindsey Buckingham, Coach’s Award; Brenna Alley, MVP; and ReAnna Heino, most improved. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
FIELD HOCKEY AWARD recipients are, from left, Taylor Walby, MVP; Lilly Sherburne, most improved; and Molly Thibault, Coach’s award. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
FOOTBALL AWARD recipients are, from left, Carter Babcook, Coach’s Award; and Howie Carter, most improved. Not pictured is Antonio Maulolo, MVP. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY AWARD recipients are, from left, Lincoln Hamblett, most improved; Morgan Crocker, Coach’s Award; and Hannah Morley, MVP. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY AWARD recipients are, from left, Joey Paolillo, MVP; Kyler Carty, most improved; and Kyle Adamo, Coach’s Award. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register

It was a memorable fall sports season for Boothbay Region’s five teams.

The boys’ cross country won the Western Maine Class C championship and won the Sportsmanship Award. The girls’ team finished sixth in the Western Maine Class C meet and qualified for the state championships for the second straight season.

The field hockey team posted the program’s most wins since 2011.

The girls soccer team doubled its win total from last year and expanded its roster by almost the same figure. Fifteen freshmen helped the team to play a junior varsity schedule for the first time in several years.

And the football team, despite being the second smallest school in the state to field a varsity team, qualified for the playoffs for the second straight year.

Athletic Director Allan Crocker congratulated the players and coaches who participated this season during the fall sports banquet on Nov. 5 held in the high school gymnasium. He proudly announced that more than half of Boothbay Region High School’s student body participated in a fall sport.

Each team presented plaques to players who demonstrated outstanding play or character during the season. The coaches awarded plaques in three categories. Athletes received recognition for being the most improved, most valuable and a coach’s award.

In soccer, Brenna Alley received the Most Valuable Player award. The senior fullback was the backbone of her team’s defense. Alley was so valuable to the team her coach only took her out of a game once all season.

“It wouldn’t have been the same team without her,” said coach Kim Dionne. “Brenna saved us on so many occasions. She is one of the greatest defenders I’ve had the pleasure to work with.”

The team voted freshman ReAnna Heino as the Most Improved Player. Dionne awarded senior Lindsey Buckingham with the Coach’s Award.

In football, Coach Bryan Dionne award offensive and defensive lineman Doug Steinmetz with the Golden Hammer Award. Dionne has given the award in the past few years to recognize hard work and outstanding play on the offensive and defensive lines.

Dionne said the hammer symbolizes a blue collar background and hard work. Dionne described Steinmetz play on the offensive line as someone who represents a commitment to hard work.

“He shows up everyday and puts in the time and work to play a very tough position,” Dionne said. “He does all the tough stuff on the field so guys behind him can get into the end zone.”

Howie Carter, who was named to the Conference First Team, received the Most Improved Player Award. Antonio Maulolo received the MVP Award and Carter Babcock received the Coach’s Award.

In field hockey, first year BRHS coach Donna Jordan presented Lilly Sherburne with the Most Improved Award. Taylor Walby received the Most Valuable Player Award for her positive leadership on and off the field, according to Jordan.

The Coach’s Award went to Molly Thibault. Jordan described her as a player who contributed to team whether she was on the field or not.

“There were so many ‘Wow!’ moments with her,” Jordan said. “She constantly offered positive encouragement and direction to her teammates. I caught myself watching her and thinking I want her as an assistant coach someday.”

In girls’ cross country, Hannah Morley received the Most Valuable Player Award. Morley was the top Seahawk runner in every meet this year. She finished third at the Mountain Valley Conference championships and named to the MVC All-Conference First Team.

“She is an incredibly kind and hard working young lady who fully deserves the award,” said her coach, Nick Scott.

Lincoln Hamblett received the Most Improved Award. Morgan Crocker received the Coach’s Award. Crocker, a senior, was named to the All-Conference Team four times. She finished 10th in the regional and state meets this year.

In boys’ cross country, freshman Joey Paolillo received the Most Valuable Player Award. Scott described him as a runner who studies the sports as hard as he trains.

“He is a runner who simply gets it,” Scott said. “He knows how to run a long distance race and he goes out and executes it. He has a very bright future in the sport.”

Kyler Carty received the Most Improved Award and Kyle Alamo received the Coach’s Award.

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