AUGUSTA, Maine (Feb. 18, 2010) -- The Maine McDonald's® Owner/Operators Association announced today that the 2010 West Division Maine McDonald’s® Spirit of the Game Award recipient is Molly Mooney from Gray-New Gloucester High School. Mooney, a high school senior, will be honored during Maine McDonald’s High School Senior All-Star Weekend scheduled for March 12 and 13 at Husson University in Bangor.
The Maine McDonald’s® Spirit of the Game Award was created in 2009 to honor two high school seniors – one from the East Division and one from the West - who embody the spirit of the sport, who exemplify sportsmanship, who support and inspire their teammates and coaching staff, and who show an ability to overcome obstacles and boundaries. The Maine McDonald’s Spirit of the Game Award is presented by Green Mountain Coffee® and Newman’s Own® Organics.
Molly Mooney is a 3-year member of the girl’s varsity basketball program at Gray-New Gloucester High School. In 2009 she was the recipient of the Coach’s Award. She is also a member of the girl’s soccer program, the National Honor Society, Community Service Club and Student Council.
In March 2009, Molly’s mother lost her 10-year battle with breast cancer. Molly chose to honor her mother by working to become a better basketball player and a person of tremendous courage and character.
Mooney was nominated for the Spirit of the Game award by her basketball coach Christopher Aube. “Molly’s selfless acts that have benefited our program more than she will ever realize, states Aube. “Her willingness to put her ego aside and play with the JV team (because they were short of players) as a Senior, is the proudest I have been of any player I have coached.”
The East Division Spirit of the Game Award recipient was announced in Bangor on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Carlos Baeza is a 4-year Team Manager for the Camden Hills Regional High School Basketball Team and was selected as Team Captain this year. He is the only Team Manager in the school’s history to be named as a Team Captain. Baeza has overcome the challenges of Cerebal Palsy.
In addition to being honored at the All-Star Banquet on March 12, the East and West Spirit of the Game Award recipients will serve as team managers for their respective divisions in the Games on All-Star Game Day, March 13.
The 2010 Maine McDonald's High School Senior All-Star Games will be played at Newman Gymnasium on the campus of Husson University in Bangor on Saturday, March 13. The game-day program will feature head-to-head competition between top players in the state's A/B and C/D Boys and Girls divisions.
The March 13, 2010 Game Day Schedule is as follows:
8:30am - 9:00am State Foul Shooting Championship
9:15am -10:30am Girls C/D Game
10:30am-10:45am Three Point Shooting Competition
11:00am-12:15pm Girls A/B Game
12:15pm - 1:00pm Awards Presentation & McDonald’s Melt-Down Half Time Show
1:15pm - 2:30pm Boys A/B Game
2:30pm - 2:45pm Slam Dunk Competition
3:00pm - 4:15pm Boys C/D Game
All-Star players, All-Star coaches, members of the All-State Academic teams, Regional Foul Shooting Champions, the MABC Contributor Award honoree and Mr. and Miss Basketball will be recognized at an awards banquet on Friday, March 12, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Husson College’s Newman Gymnasium.
Game Day tickets may be purchased at the door on Saturday, March 13, and are good for all four Games. Tickets are $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for students, children and senior citizens.
More information about the Maine McDonald’s High School Senior All-Star Basketball Games is available at www.mainemcdonaldsbasketball.org.
Net proceeds from the Games benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of Maine. RMHC of Maine is a non-profit organization whose goal is to help Maine children and families lead happier, healthier and more productive lives. Since its founding in 1989, RMHC of Maine has granted more than $1.5 million to local children’s programs that make a measurable impact in our communities. More information is available at www.rmhcmaine.org.
