Bangor set to utilize experience Josh Young Rams’ ace

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It’s been a normal Maine spring with cool temperatures and wet conditions. Area high baseball teams have spent more time than they would like indoors preparing for the coming season.

It’s no different for Bangor. Coach Jeff Fahey said that going into this week, the Rams had been forced to cancel nine exhibition games.

“It would be nice if we could get outside and play some scrimmages,” Fahey said.

Wherever they must prepare, Fahey believes that the Rams will be as good as, if not better than, their 14-4 team of a year ago that lost to Skowhegan in the Eastern Maine Class A semifinals.

“We were very young last year. This year we have a little more experience. I’m guessing 14 of the 19 [players] are in the mix for starting positions,” Fahey said.

The Rams return 2002 All-Penobscot Valley Conference first-teamers in senior Andy Treadwell and juniors Josh Young and Nate Hall. Junior Nick Larochelle was an honorable mention to the team.

Treadwell can play a number of positions including the outfield and pitcher. Hall was the team’s right fielder a year ago.

Fahey said Young was the team’s best pitcher last year and will also play first base. Larochelle plays second base.

Senior Brian Worster returns and will catch and play the outfield. The Rams will count on senior Steve Fergerson to continue to get the job done as the team’s closer. Another senior, Josh Heath, gives the Rams pitching depth.

Sophomores Brian Hackett and Jordan Heath will play the left side of the infield with Hackett at third and Heath at shortstop, Fahey said.

Junior P.J. Dowe will see time at catcher.

“I think we’re going to be an interesting team,” Fahey said. “I think we’re going to hit well.”

Now, if they could only get outside to play.

MIAAA awards

The Maine Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association named Mike Burnham of Monmouth Academy its athletic director of the year at its annual awards ceremony April 9 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.

Neal Genz of Caribou Middle School received the State Award of Merit and Jeff Benson of Edward Little in Auburn was the recipient of the Past President’s Award of Merit.

Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference commissioner Leroy Blood, James O’Neil of Thomaston and Wes Jordan, the former athletic trainer at the University of Maine who died in February 2002, were honored with distinguished service awards.

Jessica Bloch of the NEWS and Lee Goldberg of WCSH-TV Channel 6 Portland received sports media awards.

Students receiving $500 scholarships were Rachel Almy of Foxcroft Academy, Mallory Dumont of Cony in Augusta, Danielle Gagnon of Van Buren, Jonesport-Beals’ Kendra Look and Ben Durkee, Matt Brewer of Wiscasset, Winslow’s Bobby Hendrick and Ben Ledue of Bonny Eagle in Standish.

History of Bangor football

Fred Lower, the secretary-treasurer of Bangor Youth Football, is putting together a book on the history of Bangor High School football.

The book will cover the period of 1890 to 2001 and include rosters, pictures, stories and trivia.

Lower is looking for some help. He is missing rosters from 1968, 1969 and 1974 and hoping that someone might be able to provide them.

Lower can be contacted at 989-3430 or e-mail at rams1150@msn.com.

Proceeds from sales of the book will benefit Bangor Youth Football.

Hoops North reaches quarters

The Maine Hoops North under-16 AAU basketball team reached the quarterfinals of a 16-team Super Regional at Springfield, Mass., last weekend before losing to in-state rival Maine Elite 51-44.

Coach Paul Cook said Hoops North went 3-0 in pool play before moving on to the quarterfinals. Hoops North beat Mass Hoops 68-41 behind 13 points from Tim Stammen of Camden Hills and 11 from Josh McNutt of Hampden.

They then came from behind in the last two minutes of the game to beat the Boston Saintz 53-47. Matt Wheelock of Hall-Dale in Hallowell had 12 points and Hampden’s Jordan Cook added 11.

Hoops North followed that win with a 66-45 victory over South Shore (Mass.). Cook had 14, Wheelock 12, Matt Carey of Foxcroft Academy and Jordan Heath of Bangor had 10 points apiece.

Matt McDonald of Oxford Hills in South Paris had 14 points and Eric Lopez of Winslow 11 in Elite’s win over Hoops North. Wheelock had 15 points and Mark Socoby of Houlton added 10.

Elite lost in the 60-54 in the semifinals to the New Hampshire Falcons. McDonald had 16 points and Lopez 11 for Elite.

Both teams have this weekend off before jumping back into play at the state championships. Opening rounds will be played April 26-27 with championship rounds on May 3-4 in Waterville.

Don Perryman can be reached at 990-8045, 1-800-310-8600 or dperryman@bangordailynews.net