Mary Butler, Bangor, senior guard: The 6-foot-1 Butler was instrumental in the Rams’ reaching the Eastern Class A final with her inside-outside play. She averaged 10.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.2 steals. Butler will next play at Brown University.

Julia Champagne, Brunswick, senior guard: Champagne was a top two-way player in the KVAC, finishing second in scoring (22.5 points) and assists (6.4) while averaging 7.3 steals. She also grabbed 8.2 rebounds for the Dragons, who advanced to the Eastern Class A semifinals. She will play at St. Joseph’s College.

Emily Esposito, Gorham, sophomore guard: A repeat all-state selection, the 5-foot-10 Esposito averaged 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 2.9 assists in leading the Rams to the Western Class A semifinals. She is a strong two-way player, finishing second in the SMAA in both scoring and steals.

Hannah Graham, Presque Isle, senior guard: A finalist for Miss Basketball, Graham averaged 15.8 points, 4.2 assists, 3.2 steals and 2.9 rebounds in helping the Wildcats reach their third Class B state championship game in four years. She scored over 1,100 career points. She will play at Bowdoin College.

Nia Irving, Lawrence, junior forward: A repeat all-state selection and Gatorade Maine Player of the Year, Irving led the Bulldogs to the Class A state title, averaging 22.5 points and 16.6 rebounds. A three-time KVAC Player of the Year, she hit 77 percent of her foul shots, including 38 of 42 in the postseason.

Maddie Hasson, South Portland, junior forward/guard: The 5-foot-11 Hasson was one of the best all-around players in the SMAA. She averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.8 steals in leading the Red Riots to the Western Class A semifinals. She hit 75 percent of her foul shots.

Victoria Lux, Thornton Academy, senior center: A three-time all-state selection, the 6-foot-1 Lux helped the Trojans to their first Class A championship game. Very strong inside, Lux averaged 10.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 blocks. She will play at Bentley University.

Maddy McVicar, Calais, senior guard: A repeat all-state selection, the 5-foot-6 point guard has received a scholarship to play at the University of Maine. She averaged 23.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists, and scored over 1,300 points in her career.

Christine Miller, Maranacook, senior center: The 5-foot-11 center helped the Black Bears reach the Class C state championship game, where she scored 31 points. She averaged 17.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 3.0 steals and 2.2 blocks. She will play at Emmanuel College.

Ashley Storey, Greely, senior center: The Maine Sunday Telegram Player of the Year led the Rangers to the Class B state championship, averaging 20.0 points, 12.0 rebounds , 4.0 assists, 3.5 steals and 3.5 blocks. She ended her career with 1,123 points and 743 rebounds. The Miss Basketball winner will play at the University of New Hampshire.

Maria Valente, Gray-New Gloucester, senior forward: The winner of the Bob Butler Award as the top player in the Western Maine Conference, Valente led the Patriots in scoring (13.8), rebounds (7.8), assists (2.9) and steals (2.9). She scored 1,055 career points and had more than 600 rebounds.

Mackenzie Worcester, Washburn, senior guard: Worcester was instrumental in helping the Beavers win their fifth consecutive Class D state championship. The 5-foot-5 Worcester averaged 27 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 6.0 steals. She finished with 2,001 career points after scoring 37 in the state championship game. She is undecided on her college choice.

Coach of the Year

John Donato, Lawrence: Donato got the 500th victory of his 38-year coaching career in December, then led the Bulldogs to their first Class A state championship since 1994. It was Donato’s fifth state championship overall. The title completed a big turnaround since Donato became the Lawrence coach five years ago: The Bulldogs won only two games his first two seasons.

– Mike Lowe

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