Houlton starter returns to Hodgdon> Carter says hoop team’s problems with coach didn’t cause move to Hawks

David Carter, who was the starting center on Houlton’s Eastern Maine Class B schoolboy runnerup team last winter, has taken his basketball back across the town line into neighboring Hodgdon.

After a little more than a year at Houlton, the 6-foot-7, 195-pound junior has decided to come back to Hodgdon High School, which he attended his freshman year.

“He is officially enrolled at Hodgdon as of Monday [Nov. 23],” said Hodgdon athletic director Marty Bouchard. “He is cleared to play basketball at this time and is academically eligible.”

Even with 10 of 12 players back from last season’s 4-14 (16th) squad, second-year Hodgdon coach Rob Moran says there’s always room for one more.

“Height is the one thing we’re lacking,” Moran said. “He’s certainly an impact player on our team. He helps to make us a legitimate tournament contender.”

Carter said he originally transferred to Houlton to take advantage of the school’s large drama and music departments, which Hodgdon didn’t offer.

Carter recently finished up a play in which he landed two starring roles. He also was a member of show choir and the band.

Ironically, it was that extensive involvement in extracurricular activities which made him decide to transfer back.

“I was putting in 3 1/2 to five hours a night with maybe an hour for supper and stuff, so when I got home, I was up until 3 a.m. doing homework,” said Carter. “Hodgdon has drama too, but I think I’m going to cut everything else except basketball. That’s been an extremely hard decision.”

Carter said his transfer wasn’t related to varsity player unrest at Houlton, where 16 players reportedly staged a planned sit-out on the first day of practice last week.

“There have been some problems with the team, but that’s not the main reason,” Carter said. “It’s more the lack of hours.”

The finalists for LTC Class B’s player of the year are John Dickinson of Hampden Academy, Belfast’s Tim Parenteau, Ryan Blethen of Messalonskee, Winslow’s Todd Carter, Jamie Cunningham of Mount Desert Island, Orono’s Chris Monberg, Jason Tims of Maranacook, and Old Town’s Justin Lizzotte.

The nominees in Class C are Matt York from Maine Central Institute, Bucksport’s Cameron Giroux, Dexter’s Calvin Teixeira, Mattanawcook Academy’s B.J. Birtz, Don Williams of Rockland, Jacob Brooks from Foxcroft Academy, Peter Richardson of Stearns, and John Bapst’s Dan Higgins.

The winners will be announced at the LTC football banquet Sunday, Dec. 13 at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer.

Although players from John Bapst were not eligible for the all-star teams announced Monday, the school was allowed to submit all-academic selections and nominate Higgins for player of the year.

John Bapst forfeited the remainder of its schedule after a week-four win over Dexter due to safety issues after several players quit or were suspended from the team.