Legendary Presque Isle High School hoop coach Hanscom entering shrine as ‘Legend of Game’

 Officials with the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame have announced the inaugural Hall of Fame class. Each of the inductees is well known to Maine basketball fans and all have left a legacy of excellence and accomplishment on Maine’s basketball history.
The first class, which represents all regions of the state, will be inducted in a ceremony on Aug. 21 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
Included in the first class are 16 players, five coaches, one official, and one contributor. In addition to the inductees, the MBHOF will honor the 1944 Waterville High School basketball team. Seventy years ago, this group of Waterville boys captured the imagination of the entire state when they won both the state and New England championships.
Moreover, the MBHOF will pay respects to a list of Legends of the Game who were instrumental in the early development of Maine basketball. These luminaries will be honored with a special plaque at the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame Concourse in the Cross Center.
Among those honored will be legendary Presque Isle basketball coach William Hanscom, who coached from 1931-56 and compiled a won-loss record of 369-188. He coached Presque Isle’s only boys’ state championship in 1932. He graduated from the University of Maine in 1927, having played on the men’s basketball team for four seasons.
Players become eligible for induction 20 years after their playing days are over. Coaches with 20 years of experience are eligible immediately. Those whose careers were less than 20 years must wait 10 years after their last coaching assignment for eligibility.
The induction ceremony is the first of what will be an annual event for the MBHOF.
The mission of the organization is to preserve the history of basketball in the state of Maine; identify and recognize the accomplishments and contributions of individuals and teams; and promote the heritage of Maine basketball.
The design of the Maine State Basketball Hall of Fame is not only to identify and honor the elite participants, as there will be other achievement and contribution categories, each one having specific criteria. It is hoped that everyone who has been involved with Maine basketball will value and share in the spirit of the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame which will stand as “A Lasting Memorial to a Maine Tradition.”
Players selected were Lisa Blais Manning, Rachel Bouchard, Brett Brown, Skip Chappelle, Danny Coombs, Don Crosby, Matt Donahue, Brad Moore, Joanne Palombo-McCallie, Steve Pound, Doug Roberts, Jack Scott, Joe Harrington, Matt Hancock, Jon MacDonald and John Mitchell.
Coaches to be honored include Ordie Alley, Bob Brown, George Wentworth, Richard Whitmore and Paul Vachon, while Bob Butler will go in as a contributor. Jim DiFrederico was selected as an official.
Joining Hanscom as Legends of the Game are Wally Donovan, Durwood Heal, Charlie Wotten, Tony Tammaro, Bill Mansfield, Stella McClean, Anita Belanger and Clara Swan.
For more information, go to the MBHOF website at www.mainebasketballhalloffame.com.