Trailblazers Blais Manning, Bouchard, Palombo-McCallie lead Maine Basketball Hall of Fame’s first induction
By Larry Mahoney, Bangor Daily News, Maine | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
They not only helped put high school girls basketball on the map in
A shadow was cast over the ceremony, however, when it was revealed early in the day that legendary
Thursday's inductees were unwilling to comment on the decision.
The coaches inducted were
The late
There were nine Legends of the Game who were recognized for their accomplishments:
Also recognized was the 1944
She finished her career with 514 points and 314 assists in 125 games.
"It was an amazing time back then,"
The girls basketball tournaments began in 1975, and
"I remember watching the tournament and thinking that I wanted to be a part of it and help make it something big. It is amazing how far it has come. You've got all these girls getting basketball scholarships now. It's incredible," she said.
"Not just because it's the inaugural class, which is so great in itself, but the way we all connect and the way we all know each other. I think back to
She also noted
"She did something extraordinary by leaving the state and winning a national championship at Old Dominion" said Palombo-McCallie, a two-time all-state selection who added that she has become good friends with Hancock and pointed out that he was the MVP of the Duke Fantasy Camp.
She credited her father and mother with deciding to stay in
"I'm a
Bouchard, a two-time all-stater, a Gatorade Player of the Year and a Converse All-American at
She also was an All-American.
"To be able to stay in the state and represent my home state was a thrill and an honor for me," Bouchard, a real estate attorney in
She said trailblazers, such as
"They were hard-nosed, gritty, tough players that we wanted to grow up to be like. We aspired to be them," Bouchard said. "I had the benefit of growing up [during that time]. And for me to be in a room and on a list with them is a truly humbling experience for me."
One of the unique tandems involved a father-son being inducted together.
Son Brett was a two-time all-state player at South Portland and an All-American and was a captain at
"It's really hard to describe. ... It's very prideful,"
"It's a fantastic honor,"
Harrington, who starred at
"It was fantastic. There was a great turnout," he said.
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