– From staff reports

Taylor Valente of Gray-New Gloucester and Morgan Woodhouse of Waynflete were named the winners of the Robert E. Butler Award last month.

The Butler Award is given out annually by the Western Maine Conference, as voted by the coaches, to a boy and girl senior basketball player who best exemplifies good citizenship, sportsmanship, leadership, dedication and overall court performance.

The award is named for Bob Butler, a former York High athletic director and Heal point statistician for 41 years. It has been awarded since 1984.

Valente was a three-year starter for the Patriots. He averaged 16.8 points per game, third-best in the league, and led the league in rebounding at 9.1 per game. He shot 59 percent from the field. Valente was named first-team WMC and was a team co-captain.

Valente finished his career with 860 points and 494 rebounds. He is the first player, boy or girl, to win the award from Gray-New Gloucester.

“Taylor has been the most coachable player I have had the opportunity to work with,” said Coach Scott Flagg.

“His attention to detail, and preparation for games and practices was remarkable. He always has a positive attitude, which is well balanced with a healthy competitive nature.”

Woodhouse averaged 21 points and 5.5 steals in leading the Flyers to a second straight Western Class C final.

She was a team captain and finished her career with more than 1,000 points.