McCue gets national award Ex-Hampden star named player of year

It has been an exciting past several days for the McCue family in Hampden.

Last week, 22-year-old Jesse McCue was competing for Palm Beach Atlantic University in the National Christian College Athletic Association Division I national tournament in Frankfort, Ky.

While there, the senior guard was recognized as that organization’s men’s basketball national Player of the Year.

“It’s just one of those things that gradually happens,” McCue said of earning the honor. “You get a little better each year.”

The 6-foot-4 McCue, a former standout at Hampden Academy, helped lead the Sailfish to a 29-4 record and a berth in the NCCAA national tournament again this season. Palm Beach Atlantic of West Palm Beach, Fla., reached the semifinals before falling 88-73 to Bethel College on Friday.

McCue averaged 11.4 points per game this season, ranking third in that category for coach Lyle Wells’ Sailfish.

He led PBAU with an .854 free-throw percentage, ranked second with 62 assists and was third on the team in steals (43), 3-point field goal percentage (.389) and average minutes played (27.3).

McCue, the son of Carl and Debra McCue of Hampden, set the school’s single-season record for 3-pointers last season and wound up as its career leader. He scored more than 1,000 points in his PBAU career.

The NCCAA’s Division I ranks include 47 colleges from across the country. The NCCAA provides a Christian-based organization that promotes intercollegiate athletic competition in a Christian perspective.

McCue was stricken by illness during PBAU’s national tourney appearance. During the March 17 quarterfinal game against Central Baptist College, he became extremely sick during the first half.

An intravenous solution was administered during halftime and McCue returned to action. He played 401/2 minutes in the double-overtime contest, which PBAU won 88-86.

“It was a struggle. It was a long three days,” McCue said. “I left it all out there, then the next day I couldn’t get out of bed.”

In the March 18 national semifinal, Palm Beach Atlantic spotted Bethel College a 13-point halftime lead and dropped an 88-73 decision. McCue suffered serious flu-like symptoms while contributing nine points in nearly 23 minutes of play.

McCue, a business management major, bounced back in last Saturday’s consolation game. He capped his career with a 20-point, four-rebound performance in an 82-72 win over Walla Walla College.

“We really thought we’d win it this year,” McCue said of the national title. “I think we were the best team there.”

McCue’s final collegiate performances were witnessed by his mother and youngest brother Christian, who made the trip to Kentucky.

Hours prior to Jesse McCue’s appearance Saturday in Palm Beach Atlantic’s consolation game against Walla Walla College (Wash.), younger brother Daniel was making history at the Bangor Auditorium.

Daniel McCue was a key member of the Hampden Academy squad that won the school’s first schoolboy basketball state championship with a Class A victory over Deering High of Portland.

“I listened to the game on WZON on the Internet,” Jesse McCue said. “That was pretty exciting. It was more suspenseful, because you can’t see it.”

Jesse McCue also had an outstanding high school career at Hampden Academy, helping the Broncos reach the Eastern Maine Class A title game in 2000 on his way to All-Big East recognition.