BANGOR – Although their minds were likely elsewhere, Hampden’s Jordan Cook and Presque Isle’s Katie Delong allowed a few moments of excitement Wednesday afternoon upon learning they’d been selected as finalist for the Mr. and Miss Maine Basketball awards, respectively.

The Maine Association of Basketball Coaches announced the names of the three boys and three girls finalists at the three basketball tournament locations around the state. Dexter coach Peter Murray did the honors at the Bangor Auditorium.

“It’s definitely something that means a lot to me,” said Cook, who will play basketball at the University of Maine next year. “It’s a great honor. And just because it honors a player who is a good player and a good student-athlete, as well.”

The rest of the boys finalists are Falmouth’s Bryant Barr and Cheverus of Portland’s Sean Costigan.

The other girls finalists are Kayla Parker of Sanford and Lake Region of Naples’ Samantha Allen.

The winners of the awards, which are given to the top senior boy and girl basketball player in the state, will be announced at the Maine McDonald’s All-Star banquet Friday, March 10 at Husson College’s Newman Gymnasium in Bangor.

Regional boys and girls teams for the East/West All-Star games, which will be held at Husson on Saturday, March 11, were also announced along with the coaches for those games, the academic all-state teams, and the regional foul-shooting champions.

Cook, who was accompanied by Hampden coach Russ Bartlett, said he’ll be able to put aside the honor for the moment to concentrate on the No. 2 Broncos’ semifinal against No. 3 Gardiner on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center.

Hampden is the defending Class A state champion.

“I’m focused on the game right now and we want to move on,” Cook said. “That’s the most important thing. But this is also a very nice honor.”

Delong, who was at the Auditorium with the rest of the Wildcats to watch the No. 2 Presque Isle boys beat No. 3 Ellsworth 69-52 in a EM Class B semifinal, said she recalled going with her sister, Anna Delong, who was named a senior all-star in 2004, to the awards banquet that year.

Being named a finalist, however, is another matter.

“I saw them give out the Miss Basketball award and I thought it was really cool, but I never expected to be nominated or to be a finalist,” Delong said.

The No. 1 Presque Isle girls were to face No. 4 MDI Wednesday night at 8:35 in their Class B semifinal.