Linus of “Peanuts” fame has his blanket. Red Auerbach often sports a big cigar.

Chad Fenton spends most of his time with a basketball in hand. The senior at Narraguagus High School in Harrington often has his ball under his arm even as he goes from class to class.

Fenton is at ease with a basketball in his hands. For that reason, Knights Coach Larry Worcester tries to make sure his talented point guard handles the ball as often as possible.

Fenton has been Narraguagus’ catalyst, sparking the Knights to an 11-2 record and third place in the most recent Eastern Maine Class C Heal Points. Fenton, last year’s Downeast Athletic Conference MVP, has continued to key ‘Guagus with his superb play.

A quick look at Fenton’s impressive statistics might lead one to believe he was a one-man show. The 6-footer is one of the state’s most prolific scorers, averaging 29 points per game. He surpassed 1,000 career points earlier this season.

“That’s probably why he attracts so much attention,” Worcester said. “He’s a great scorer. He’s always been a good penetrator. That’s been his forte. This year, he’s been scoring a lot inside because nobody has really stopped him.”

Fenton is at his best in the open court and, since the Knights love to run, he has many opportunities to handle the basketball and make things happen.

“We try to get it out and get it into his hands, because he sees the floor so well,” Worcester said. “He’s either going to score or find the open man. He’s kind of deceptive. You watch him and he doesn’t look that quick, but, all of a sudden, he turns it on.”

A four-year starter, Fenton has been consistent. He has scored in double figures in 37 consecutive games dating back to his sophomore season.

Sure, Fenton can score, but he complements his scoring with numerous other skills. University of Maine-Machias Coach Sean Casey said Fenton’s scoring may not be his best attribute.

“One of his great strengths is he has excellent vision,” Casey said. “But the thing about him that impresses me most is his ability to pass the basketball. He’s a very good transition player even though he doesn’t have great foot speed.”

Fenton has averaged better than four assists per game, while contributing four rebounds and two steals per outing. His ability to excel in all facets of the game makes him a valuable asset.

“If he was just a great scorer, he would be a great player, but he makes everyone around him so much better,” Worcester said. “He’s a real team player. That’s what I feel makes him kind of special.”

Fenton lives basketball. He is the first one to practice and the last one to leave. Worcester said he has not missed a game or practice in three years.

Fenton has gone so far as to change jobs to accommodate the summer basketball schedule. Narraguagus Athletic Director John Sawyer, who lives next door to the Fentons in Columbia Falls, said it isn’t unusual to hear Fenton bouncing a ball at the nearby elementary school court at 11 o’clock at night.

Fenton, who received his first new leather ball as a Christmas present, admits there is almost always a ball within his reach.

“I sleep with one,” Fenton joked. “It really doesn’t help me, but I like to have it with me. I do a few drills just walking around with it, but usually I just spin it on my finger.

When the game is on the line, Fenton is likely to turn up his game a notch. His composure allows him to shake off pressure situations and just enjoy playing.

“When it’s close, I like to have the ball,” Fenton said. “I like to be the point guard so I can tell people where to go.”

“This year, he’s been our leader, no question about it,” Worcester said. “He goes out and gets the rest of the guys going and plays hard. He doesn’t show a lot of emotion and doesn’t get real upset or frustrated. He handles the pressure really well.”

Fenton, who has narrowed his college choices to UM-Machias and UM-Presque Isle, is also a good defensive player. He said he is working on improving the arc and range of his outside shot.

One thing is almost certain, if you see Chad Fenton, he’ll have a basketball in his hands.