The envelopes are in and the plaques will soon be engraved.

After totaling up the closest votes for Eastern Maine Tournament most valuable players since the William C. Warner Award was established in 1994, the winners are Camden Hills’ Tyler Warren in Class B, Calais’ Joe Footer in Class C, and Bangor Christian’s Pat McCleary in Class D.

There was no shortage of viable MVP candidates this year, especially in Classes B and D, where the voting was closest. The deciding factors? Based on the winners, points certainly weren’t the only things the voters were paying attention to.

The 2002 winners of the Warner Award, named for the NEWS sports editor who served in that capacity from 1976 to 1993, bring to the court many qualities, not the least of which were leadership and excellence under pressure.

The MVPs and fellow members of the NEWS All-Tournament teams are selected by a vote of tourney officials, Maine Principals’ Association members, and members of the media.

CLASS B – The versatile Warren was unflappable for the Windjammers as he led them to their second straight regional title and earned the nod as the MVP on an all-tourney squad made up entirely of new members. Warren was also virtually automatic at the line, where he hit 17 of 20 shots.

Warren’s chief rival for tourney MVP was Bucksport’s Jason Harvey, who had the biggest game of the tourney with 41 points in the quarterfinals. He also knocked down 19 of 21 from the line and shot 8 for 19 from 3-point range. The senior guard also averaged 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Caribou guard Joel Griffeth was another of those clutch players as he led the Vikings to the semis with expert ballhandling and icy cool execution on the court.

John Morse of Ellsworth literally carried the Eagles into the semifinals on his strong shoulders as the forward with guard skills earned raves for his blue-collar approach and dogged style of play.

Troy Gabriele is another senior who provides a steadying influence for the Windjammers. The explosive guard never really had an offensive outburst, but his 15.7 ppg was solid enough for Camden.

CLASS C – Footer was head and shoulders above the field as he led the Blue Devils back to the regional title game and helped them win it this time around. The lone returning all-tourney team member and top “C” tournament scorer hit key shots in key situations and was immense at the line, where he hit 19 of 23 shots.

Footer’s main competition in the MVP voting was teammate Andy Frost. The sophomore guard turned in the best all-around Class C tourney effort with 16.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 steals, and 3.3 assists per game.

Ryan Hutchins from George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill played as big as his height as the 6-foot-8 center was impossible to face one-on-one in the paint. In addition to his 21.0 ppg and 10.7 rpg numbers, he averaged 2.3 blocks a game.

Not only was GSA teammate Nick Henry another big offensive contributor, he was also the Eagles’ top defender. Despite having to guard the other team’s top player each game, Henry still averaged 13.7 ppg, 9.7 rpg, and 2.0 apg.

Bobby Richardson was an offensive dynamo for Washington Academy of East Machias. The senior guard averaged 19 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, and shot 5-for-12 from 3-point range in the Raiders’ two games.

CLASS D – McCleary may not have had the most eye-popping stats, especially when compared to his two chief rivals in the MVP voting – teammate Eddie Carey and Jonesport-Beals forward Alvin Beal – but the player whose coach calls him “Rock” was a big reason why the Patriots won their first regional title in 23 years. He averaged 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals while hitting 14 of 17 at the line to turn in the best all-around tourney effort.

Beal turned in very impressive numbers (28.7 ppg, 13.7 rpg). The senior forward also tied tourney records for free throws in a game (17) and the tournament by hitting 32 of 41 from the line.

Carey provided instant offense, excitement, and flair for the Pats as he averaged 4.3 assists and 3.0 steals in addition to his solid 17.3 ppg and 11.0 rpg.

Greenville senior Tyler Muzzy helped the Lakers break a 31-year tourney losing streak by averaging 25 points, 18 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steals in two games.

East Grand of Danforth guard James Godley joined McCleary as the only returning Class D all-tourney team members by putting on a show in two games that included 41 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and two steals.

Bangor Daily News All-Tourney Teams

Class B

Pos. Name School Yr. Ht. PPG RPG

G-F Tyler Warren*** Camden Hills Sr. 6-4 19.7 5.0

G Jason Harvey Bucksport Sr. 5-11 29.0 7.0

F John Morse Ellsworth Sr. 6-1 15.0 9.5

G Joel Griffeth Caribou Sr. 6-0 22.0 7.5

G Troy Gabriele Camden Hills Sr. 6-1 15.7 2.7

Honorable Mention: Tyler Giles (Caribou), Corey Guilford (Bucksport)

Class C

Pos. Name School Yr. Ht. PPG RPG

C Joe Footer*** Calais Sr. 6-5 25.0 15.3

G Andy Frost Calais So. 5-11 16.7 5.7

C Ryan Hutchins George Stevens Sr. 6-8 21.0 10.7

F Nick Henry George Stevens Jr. 6-3 13.7 9.7

G Bobby Richardson Washington Acad. Sr. 5-10 19.0 7.0

Honorable Mention: Kyle Pulkkinen (Piscataquis), Tyler Putnam (Hodgdon)

Class D

Pos. Name School Yr. Ht. PPG RPG

C Pat McCleary*** Bangor Christian Sr. 6-5 12.0 6.7

F Alvin Beal Jonesport-Beals Sr. 5-11 28.7 13.7

F Eddie Carey Bangor Christian Sr. 5-11 17.3 11.0

F Tyler Muzzy Greenville Sr. 6-2 25.0 18.0

G James Godley East Grand Sr. 5-10 20.5 3.5

Honorable Mention: Kyle Bradford (Bangor Christian), Abraham Beal (Jonesport-Beals), Rhett Mortland (East Grand)

***William Warner Award winner