BANGOR – The Bangor High School boys basketball team finished 37th nationally for the 2006-2007 season according to MaxPreps, a California-based sports media company. The Rams are one of 25 high schools nationwide honored as part of the MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard.

Bangor (21-1) won its first nine games of the season before bowing to Mt. Blue of Farmington. But the Rams rebounded from that loss and went on to win their final 12 games of the season, including a 56-39 rout of Portland to capture the Maine Class A state championship. It was the school’s seventh state championship title since 1993.

Senior forward Alex Gallant, who was named the Maine Class A Player of the Year, led the Rams with a 16.9 regular season scoring average. But that swelled to 23.4 in the tournament. He’ll head to Bates College in the fall. Junior center Ryan Weston chipped in with 11 points during the regular campaign and 13 points in tourney play.

On behalf of the school, Coach Roger Reed accepted an 18-inch tall bronze statue on a wood block base from Maine Army National Guard Spec. Justin Golden at a team banquet at The Lucerne Inn in Dedham.

“Excellence and teamwork are no different for basketball players than they are for soldiers in the National Guard,” said Capt. Greg Galligan of the National Guard Bureau. “All individuals concentrate on improving themselves to the highest degree possible, and then offer their talents to fulfill the greater objective of the team. So, in honor of Bangor High School being the No. 37 nationally ranked boys basketball team in the country, the Guard congratulates you. We hope that one day, many of you will consider playing for our team.”

“This is new to us,” said Reed about the recognition by MaxPreps. “I appreciate the opportunity to recognize Bangor. It’s wonderful that someone like MaxPreps has taken the initiative to recognize high school kids for their hard work.”