Male:

WILL COX, Senior-Basketball

* Captain

The Clippers took a huge leap forward this season and Cox’s play and leadership were a big reason why.

To say that Cox started playing basketball at a young age would be an understatement.

“I started playing basketball when I was a one-year old with a mini-dunk hoop and played through the Yarmouth Community Services program as soon as I could,” Cox said. “I first started playing travel basketball in sixth grade and that experience really made me fall in love with the sport. What I love about basketball, other than the simple satisfaction of a swish, is the camaraderie and bonds built within the team. What motivates me most as an athlete is my teammates and coaches, as I want to be the best person I can be not only for myself but also for the betterment of the team.”

Cox, who also plays soccer and baseball, joined the Yarmouth varsity basketball team as a freshman and quickly stood out for his ability to make the most of his minutes.

The Clippers missed the playoffs Cox’s junior campaign and hoped to get back there this winter, but the season was abbreviated due to COVID-19 and there would be no postseason.

Regardless, Cox managed to turn heads, leading Yarmouth to a fine 8-2 campaign by averaging 8.8 points, 7.7 rebounds. 3.7 assists (good for fifth in the conference) and 1.9 steals per contest.

Highlights included 13 points in a victory over Lake Region, nine points, seven steals, six rebounds and five assists in a win at Freeport, 10 points in a win over Cape Elizabeth and a double-double (19 points and 13 rebounds) in an overtime loss at Greely.

“Given the circumstances, this season went rather well,” said Cox. “I think the knowledge that our season could be over at any point really motivated the team to get everything we could out of each moment and Coach (Jonas) Allen adapted to the times really well to make sure we were having fun while working hard. My teammates all came in with a positive mindset and I wouldn’t have wanted to have my senior season with any other group of guys.”

Cox graduates having scored 334 points, grabbed 263 rebounds, dished out 113 assists and registered 74 steals and 30 blocked shots.

Cox is deciding on his college destination and hopes to play sports at the next level.

Will Cox, Yarmouth’s Winter Male Athlete of the Year, certainly left the Clippers program at a higher level than where it was when he first arrived on the scene. Doing anything and everything for the team ensured he won’t soon be forgotten.

Coach Jonas Allen’s comment: “Will’s numbers are pretty good, but the truth is that they don’t tell even a fraction of the story. Will is an outstanding basketball player, a top-notch student and an even a better person. Will leads by example in all walks of life. Will has been the rock of this program for the last three years. He helped the program transition from one coaching staff to another. While many wanted to fan the flames of negativity and drama during that transition, Will was always above that. Will simply wanted to play basketball and make it the best possible experience for him and his teammates. Will did not always agree with his coaches, but when there was an issue he always came and met face-to-face. He was able to receive feedback and then make the needed adjustments. Will could play all five positions on offense and defense. He had games where he was in the ballpark of quadruple-double numbers. Despite having high level offensive skills, Will was one of the least selfish players I have ever been around. He was always committed to the system rather than doing his own thing or getting his own stats. Will had a settling presence and he brought calm to chaos. Will is exactly what the program needed these past three years. His character, leadership, work ethic and skill-set played an enormous role in why the team went 8-2 his senior year. Will went out a winner, a leader and a role model. He changed Yarmouth basketball and we will always be grateful to him for his immeasurable contributions.”

Previous winners:

2017-18 Sean Whynot (diving)

2016-17 Alek Medenica (basketball)

2015-16 Walter Conrad (hockey)

2014-15 John Lane (Nordic skiing)

2013-14 David Murphy (basketball)

2012-13 Braden Becker (skiing)

2011-12 Josh Britten (basketball)

2010-11 Luke Pierce (basketball)

2009-10 Ethan Gray (hockey)

2008-09 Cam Woodworth (skiing)

2007-08 Jack Gross (skiing)

2006-07 Lucas Denning (basketball)

2005-06 Jack Gross (skiing)

2004-05 Pat Delaney (hockey)

2003-04 Ben Swardlick (skiing)

2002-03 Gunnar Hagstrom (basketball)

2001-02 Jay Fletcher (hockey)

Female:

LIZZIE GUERTLER, Senior-Hockey

* Hobey Baker Award winner

* Senior All-Star

* Captain

Guertler was a coach’s dream. A player willing to do anything to help her team enjoy success.

Guertler started playing ice hockey at a young age and while she also plays field hockey and lacrosse, she quickly became enamored with being on the ice.

“I learned to skate in elementary school on my backyard rink and I started playing hockey in fifth grade,” Guertler said. “There is no better feeling than being the first team on the ice in the morning before school or being the last team on the ice late at night and working hard while everyone else is sleeping. I love the sacrifice and dedication that hockey demands. I have high expectations for myself and I am always trying to improve in some way. Whenever I am struggling to motivate myself, I remind myself that my team is relying on me to try my best. I do it for them if I can’t find a reason to do it for me.”

Guertler scored twice and had three assists as a junior, but this winter, despite the COVID-19 shortened season, she became a dynamic threat, finishing with nine goals and eight assists and registering a plus/minus of 24. Guertler centered Yarmouth/Freeport’s top line, which produced 44 points.

“Being able to play with Sadie Carnes and Rosie Panenka all season was a blast and they motivated me to make every shift count,” Guertler said.

Highlights included two goals in a season-opening victory over Greely and a hat trick in a win over Falmouth on Senior Night.

“Although this season was nothing like I imagined, I feel extremely lucky to have a team and coaches that made the most of every chance we had to hit the ice,” Guertler said. “Being able to play with my friends for one last time was something I am so grateful for. Coach Dave (Intraversato) made sure that, despite the unpredictability, our season was as normal as possible. There is a lot of young talent on this team and I am so excited to see where they go in the next few years.”

Guertler isn’t just a star athletically. She’s pretty impressive academically as well. She plans to attend Boston College to study neuroscience. Don’t be surprised if he sees some time on the club hockey team as well.

Lizzie Guertler, Yarmouth’s Winter Female Athlete of the Year, could score the puck, set up her teammates and make sure her team did whatever it took to excel. That’s because excelling comes so easily to her, regardless of the setting.

Coach David Intraversato’s comment: “’Guertz’ is a great leader. If there was anyone an underclassman wanted to emulate it’s Lizzie. She was very coachable and easy to communicate with. She was an excellent captain and mentor for our young players. Lizzie is always looking for ways to help the team be better. She is a great role model and teammate. I can’t say enough about what she meant to our team. She is not afraid to speak up and lead. It was a joy to be able to coach Lizzie the past two seasons. She will be missed.”

Previous winners:

2017-18 Sophia Laukli (skiing)

2016-17 Grace Cowles (skiing)

2015-16 Emma Egan (track)

2014-15 Emma Egan (track)

2013-14 Chapin Dorsett (skiing)

2012-13 Abby Belisle-Haley (swimming)

2011-12 Morgan Cahill (basketball)

2010-11 Becca Bell (skiing)

2009-10 Becca Bell (skiing)

2008-09 Lauren Stackhouse (skiing)

2007-08 Julianna Lord (skiing)

2006-07 Molly Hallweaver (skiing)

2005-06 Meredith Shaw (basketball)

2004-05 Aylie Baker (basketball)

2003-04 Kalie Dunn (skiing)

2002-03 Emily Poole (skiing)

2001-02 Emily Erickson (basketball)

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter:@foresports.

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