Richards among BDN boys tournament MVPs

BANGOR — Parker Deprey, Nathan Richards and Kashman Feeney sparked their teams to North boys basketball regional basketball titles at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, while Bryce Lausier was the catalyst in Hampden Academy’s run through the Class A tournament in Augusta.

Their well-rounded play, which helped keep their teams on course to win championships, has earned them recognition as the 2020 Bangor Daily News William C. Warner Award winners as the most valuable players in their respective classes.

BDN staff compiled the Class A team, while the Class B, C and D squads were selected in voting by media and tournament staff.

Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
TOURNEY MVP — Senior Nathan Richards of the Class C North champion Dexter Tigers has been chosen by the BDN as MVP of the Class C North tournament.

Lausier demonstrated his poise and clutch play while spearheading Hampden Academy to the Class A North crown. Deprey, the 2019 MVP, was the overwhelming MVP pick in Class B after spearheading Caribou’s drive to a second straight regional title.

Richards was the glue who held Dexter together through a grueling tournament that culminated in the Class C championship. Feeney was a force for the upstart Machias Bulldogs, who shocked No. 1 Jonesport-Beals in the semifinals en route to the D North crown.

The Class C all-tourney unit headed by Richards features Brayden Bradbury of Central Aroostook in Mars Hill, Caden Mattson of George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill, Jace Rocheleau of Fort Kent and Dexter’s Brett Kuznierz.

Richards was the linchpin in Dexter’s championship drive. The 5-10 senior point guard ran the offense and provided gritty defense while averaging 16 points in the tournament, including 29 in the semis against Fort Kent.

Kuznierz, a 6-3 junior forward, gave the Tigers a paint defender who was a tough matchup to guard as he averaged 10 points in three games. The speedy Rocheleau (5-6 senior) provided energy and 16 points per game to help Fort Kent earn a semifinal berth.

Bradbury, a 6-2 senior forward, was a mainstay in No. 1 Central Aroostook’s bid for the C North crown. He tossed in 22 points in the quarterfinals. Mattson, a dynamic 6-foot senior guard, averaged 19 points to help George Stevens Academy make a semifinal bid.

Parker Ponte of Dexter earned Class C honorable mention recognition.

For the girls, junior guard Maci Beals of Central Aroostook in Mars Hills is the Class C recipient

Beals is accompanied on the Class C all-tourney team by teammate Breann Bradbury, a senior forward, Stearns of Millinocket senior guard Katherine Alley, Dexter junior guard Peyton Grant and Calais senior guard Lauren Cook.

Grant and Cook are three-time all-tourney picks.