Tim Stammen has a passion for basketball, but the Camden Hills of Rockport senior also has a passion for making jewelry.

It is that unique combination that has resulted in the first-team Bangor Daily News All-Maine basketball player opting to continue his athletic and academic pursuits next fall at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pa.

Stammen chose the NAIA Division II school near Pittsburgh after also considering Gordon, Wheaton, Stonehill, and walking on at the University of Maine.

“It was a pretty hard decision to make,” said Stammen, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound forward who also was a finalist for the 2005 Mr. Maine Basketball award.

“There was a strong sense of wanting to stay close to home, but when the time came to look at continuing to play basketball and the academics, Seton Hill was by far the best choice for me,” said Stammen.

Stammen initially wasn’t part of Seton Hill’s recruiting efforts – quite the opposite.

“I found them because of their jewelry and metalworks program,” said Stammen. “There aren’t too many schools that offer that. I sent them some tapes, and I think they liked what they saw because they started calling me about once a week after that.”

Stammen visited Seton Hill shortly after leading Camden Hills to the 2005 Class B state championship, “but I didn’t want to make my decision right away because I had the time and I wanted to be sure it was the right place for me.”

A four-year starter for coach Jeff Hart’s Windjammers, Stammen averaged 13.7 points and 7.5 rebounds during the regular season as a senior and was named to the All-Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class B first team for the second straight year. He went on to be named most valuable player of the Eastern Maine Class B tournament, and then scored 29 points – including nine in overtime – as Camden Hills capped off an undefeated season with an overtime victory over Gorham in the state championship game.

As a freshman, Stammen also was a key member of the 2002 Camden Hills team that won a state championship.

During his four years at Camden Hills, the Windjammers compiled a 77-7 record, including a postseason mark of 10-2.

“We are projecting Tim to be a perimeter player for us,” said Seton Hill coach Tony Morocco. “He is the right size, possesses very good shooting skills, and most importantly, he has a very high basketball I.Q.

“We also feel that his athletic ability to get up and down the court is an added bonus.”

Seton Hill has fielded a men’s varsity basketball program for just two years. The Griffins went 18-8 in 2004 and 20-8 this year, reaching the American Mideast Conference championship game before being defeated by Cedarville (Ohio).

“Tim will be playing with an outstanding crop of freshmen that we have recruited, and he will be an important cog in that wheel,” Morocco said. “What we look for here at Seton Hill University are these criteria: 1. a good person; 2. [a student] who graduates; and 3. [a player who] has the ability to win championships. We feel that Tim meets all of these criteria.”

Stammen will attempt to crack a Griffins roster that also features an international flavor, with the 2004-05 squad including players from Israel, Macedonia, Serbia, Belgium, Australia, and Nigeria, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

“They don’t lose many players,” said Stammen. “I’m going to have to fight for my position. I think they think I need to get quicker, which I do, but what they don’t know yet is how hard I’m going to work and how hard I’m working right now.”

Scholar-athletes to be honored

Twelve Maine high school football standouts have been selected to receive the 18th annual scholar-athlete awards presented by the State of Maine Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Inc.

That contingent includes Aaron Gallant and Kyle Oliver of Bangor, Paul Curtis of Rockland, Ramsey Lafayette of Hampden Academy, Mo Nazmy of Orono, and Luke Fekete of Messalonskee of Oakland. Also selected were Josh Avery and Jeff Thompson of Bonny Eagle of Standish, Brandon Baldyga of Wells, Brad Bryant of Livermore Falls, Tim Ouellette of Lewiston, and Justin Wells of Jay.

Also being recognized is prep school honoree Tom Daley, a defensive back from Lake Region High School and Bridgton Academy, and collegiate recipient Wayne Harrington, a linebacker from Colby College in Waterville.

The award winners will be honored during a banquet at Bowdoin College’s Thorne Hall on May 24. For ticket information, contact State of Maine Chapter president Howard Vandersea at 729-4210.