NEWS announces annual MVP awards

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During the course of the Eastern Maine basketball tournaments, more than 550 high school players from 72 teams will have the opportunity to step onto the court at the Bangor Auditorium.

The experience affects players differently, depending upon the game situations they encounter along the way.

Over the course of the tournament, a select few players will handle the considerable pressure of the postseason. They’ll make the tough shots, sink the clutch free throws and come up with timely steals to help lead their teams to Eastern Maine championships.

Those elite players, whose performances will forever become a permanent part of tournament history, will be duly recognized for their efforts.

The Bangor Daily News continues its tradition of honoring the best of the best in tourney play with the selection of the All-Tournament Teams and the William C. Warner and Owen O. Osborne Most Valuable Player Awards.

In 1994, the NEWS established two MVP honors to recognize longtime sports editors Warner and Osborne, both of whom enjoyed the thrill of covering tournament games, writing about its participants and coordinating coverage of the event during their storied careers.

The Osborne Award is presented to the outstanding female player in each class, while the Warner Award goes to the top male performers.

Winners are selected by a vote of tourney media, Maine Principals’ Association representatives, tournament officials and other veteran observers.

Osborne served as sports editor for more than 20 years until his death in 1978. Warner succeeded Osborne and held the NEWS Sports Editor post until his death in 1994.

Since the inception of the NEWS MVP awards, a star-studded list of 45 winners, representing 27 schools, have been honored. Amy Vachon of Cony High in Augusta, now the starting point guard at the University of Maine, is among three players to win the Osborne Award twice.

Orono’s Susan Gardner and Holli Tapley of Calais also were repeat girls winners.

Sam Henderson of Hodgdon continues to hold the distinction as the lone repeat winner of the Warner Award.

Class D Jonesport-Beals and Calais of the Class C ranks have led the way among schools, producing four winners each, combined. Josh Knowlton and B.J. Alley are the Royals’ boys winners, while Jan Beal and Sandi Carver won for the Royalettes.

All four of the Blue Devils’ honorees were on the girls side, led by Tapley. Kelly Dow and Lanna Martin also were Osborne winners.

Class A Cony, Camden-Rockport in Class B and Class C Hodgdon each have produced three MVP winners.

This year, eight more players will earn the distinction, etching their names permanently into Eastern Maine tournament lore.

William C. Warner MVP Award Winners (Boys)

1999 Class A: Jed Johnson, Lawrence Class B: Jim Wilson, Camden-Rockport Class C: Ryan Rivera, Central Class D: Josh Knowlton, Jonesport-Beals

1998 Class A: Braden Clement, Skowhegan Class B: Jon Masin-Peters, Camden-Rockport Class C: Brandon Ashby, Washington Academy Class D: B.J. Alley, Jonesport-Beals

1997 Class A: Travis Gilmore, Mt. Blue Class B: Steve Smith, Bucksport Class C: Erik Benge, Narraguagus Class D: Nick Wiberg, Deer Isle-Stonington

1996 Class A: Corey Thibodeau, Old Town Class B: Jason White, Orono Class C: Sam Henderson, Hodgdon Class D: Matt Townsend, Central Aroostook

1995 Class A: Matt Kinney, Bangor Class B: Marc Corliss, Mount Desert Island Class C: Sam Henderson, Hodgdon Class D: Tim Manchester, Machias

1994 Class A: Josh Nash, Medomak Valley Class B: Mike Geisler, Camden-Rockport Class C: Mark Farmer, Schenck Class D: Tim Brewer, Central Aroostook

Owen Osborne MVP Award Winners (Girls)

1999 Class A: Heather Ernest, Mt. Blue Class B: Lora Trenkle, George Stevens Class C: Lanna Martin, Calais Class D: Sara Ricker, Shead

1998 Class A: Janet Riese, Cony Class B: Susan Gardner, Orono Class C: Holly Quint, Hodgdon Class D: Tracy Guerrette, Wisdom

1997 Class A: Kim Condon, Presque Isle Class B: Erin Shaw, Mount Desert Island Class C: Holli Tapley, Calais Class D: Janna Walker, Southern Aroostook

1996 Class A: Amy Vachon, Cony Class B: Susan Gardner, Orono Class C: Holli Tapley, Calais Class D: Jan Beal, Jonesport-Beals

1995 Class A: Amy Vachon, Cony Class B: Cara Moir, Stearns Class C: Carrie Cram, Schenck Class D: Kelly Copp, Machias

1994 Class A: Cindy Blodgett, Lawrence Class B: Liza Doughty, Hermon Class C: Kelly Dow, Calais Class D: Sandi Carver, Jonesport-Beals