An undefeated regular season (10-0, no. 1 in Class C South), conference champions for the third straight year (the last two seasons undefeated), and several players undefeated during the season, were all celebrated Tuesday night, June 10 as the Boothbay Region High School boys tennis team gathered for post-season awards and a potluck meal at BRHS.

Thirteen-year head coach Mark Gorey, who passed the 100-win mark this season, thanked several people, including parents, school and YMCA staff, the newspaper and supporters, before handing out awards to the nine team members. Gorey, who teaches English at BRHS, told interesting and positive stories about each player and waxed poetic by reading a few stanzas of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “My Lost Youth,” in a tribute to outgoing seniors Neal Baldwin and Cleyton Splaine.

Although the team lost to powerhouse Waynflete in the semifinal round of the Maine Principals’ Association Class C South tournament, 3-2, after shutting out Mountain Valley, 5-0, in the quarterfinals, Gorey expressed his pleasure with another successful season and that he still hopes to bring a state championship to Boothbay. Waynflete went on to defeat Maine Central Institute, 5-0, in the South final and was scheduled to play Orono (12-0) for the state championship June 11.

Three Seahawks were named to the Mountain Valley Conference first-team all-conference team, the singles players Cleyton Splaine, Alex Ross and Griffin Yereance. First singles player and co-captain Splaine, who also received the team’s coach’s award, was 7-4 overall. He was praised by Gorey for being the team’s first singles player all four years. Second singles player Ross, a freshman, was undefeated during the regular season, 8-1 overall, and was given Gorey’s annual Moxie award for his “character, determination and play on the court.” Third singles player Yereance, a junior co-captain who was given the team’s most valuable player award, was 11-0 overall during the season. He also made it to the qualifying round in the state singles tournament.

Two Seahawks were named to the MVC second-team all-conference team, sophomore Cole Hyson and freshman Avery Fowlie. Both mainly doubles players (Hyson played one third singles match), they were praised by Gorey and both impressed fellow MVC coaches, said Gorey. Hyson’s overall record was 8-1 in doubles and 1-0 in singles. Fowlie was 11-0 in doubles.

Baldwin, a four-year starter at doubles, received honorable mention all-conference. He paired with Fowlie in doubles this season and was undefeated at 11-0. He was also named an academic all-star in the MVC.

Also receiving honorable mention all-conference was junior Harry Hinckley. He paired with Hyson, was 9-1 overall, and was presented the team’s most improved player award (for the second straight season).

The two exhibition players, sophomore Ronan Drage and freshman Elijah Smith, were both undefeated (Drage 6-0, Smith 5-0).

The individual plaques hadn’t arrived in time for the event but players will be notified when they are ready.

Before the players, parents and friends enjoyed the food, Gorey was presented cards, a gift card and a book from the players.