Searsport, Belfast, Oceanside, Camden Hills represented among talented high school basketball players
While there will be no 41st annual Maine McDonald’s High School Senior All-Star Basketball Games in 2021 due to COVID-19, that did not stop the Maine Association of Basketball Coaches (MABC) from giving a bevy of players statewide credit for efforts on the court and in the classroom.
In a virtual press conference, led by Peter Murray, MABC president, on Wednesday, Feb. 24, the McDonald’s all-star teams, all-academic teams, foul-shooting representatives and semifinalists for Mr. and Mrs. Maine Basketball — the latter being the state’s highest high school individual honor — were announced.
Among the honored senior players, four call the Midcoast home. They include Belfast’s Jason Bartlett, Camden Hills’ Jeremy Fraser, Oceanside’s Cam Kingsbury and Searsport’s Makenzie Alley.
Bartlett, Fraser and Kingsbury were selected to the Class AA/A/B North boys team, while Alley was selected to the Class C/D North girls team.
“This year there will be no games or in-person banquet,” said Murray. “However, on Friday, March 19, we will still gather virtually, as we are now, to once again congratulate these athletes at the conclusion of their season and announce award winners.”
Maine McDonald’s and Maine Association of Basketball Coaches announced while players, coaches and fans will not gather for the 41st annual Maine McDonald’s High School Senior All-Star Basketball Games for a traditional day of slam dunks and buzzer-beating shots, they are excited to honor more than 120 hardworking student-athletes on their stellar high school careers in a virtual format.
“While this event this year is different in many ways, we will still be raising money for a terrific organization, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine,” said Murray.
Fraser, a 6-foot 2-inch forward, through nine games, has averaged 22 points, including a season-high of 33 against Lincoln Academy of Newcastle.
“A well-deserved award for a guy that never quits [and] comes to play every night,” said Camden Hills coach Jon Moro. “He has exceptional skills and a competitive nature that sets him in high-esteem with his peers and teammates.”
Kingsbury, a 5-10 guard, through 10 games, averaged 16.9 points, including a season-high of 29 against Camden Hills.
“It has been a great pleasure watching Cam grow into the outstanding player that he is,” said Oceanside coach Larry Reed. “He has improved in every year that he has been at Oceanside, and this year is no exception. He is a great player, teammate, and leader of our varsity basketball team. His contributions will be missed when he graduates. I know he will have continued success in everything that he does.”
Bartlett, a 5-8 guard, through 11 games, averaged 21.1 points, including a season-high of 30 on two occasions against Searsport and Bucksport.
“This is an incredible accomplishment from a very dedicated player,” said Belfast coach Marty Messer. “He’s proven that his hard work has paid off as he’s been one of the top players in Northern Class B the last few years. He’s always represented our team with class and we are very proud of him.”
Alley, through 10 games, has averaged 23 points, including notching her 1,000th career point on Friday, Feb. 19 at home game against Sumner of Sullivan. Her season-high was a 32-point effort against Camden Hills.
“[This is a] great accomplishment,” said Searsport coach Mel Grant. “This is really an award from the coaches and an award that shows she has earned their respect.”