Beal, Veroneau get top hoop awards
BANGOR — The Maine Association of Basketball Coaches (MABC) unveiled the 2013 Mr. and Miss Maine Basketball Friday. Martha Veroneau of Waynflete School was crowned Miss Maine Basketball and Mr. Basketball honors went to Garet Beal of Jonesport-Beals High School.
The announcement was made at the Maine McDonald’s High School Senior All-Star Basketball Games award banquet at Husson University.
“This is the highest individual award presented to a male and female basketball player in the state,” explained Peter Murray, president of the Maine Association of Basketball Coaches. “It is awarded for commitment, dedication and excellence throughout the player’s high school career.”
Chandler Guerrette of Presque Isle was another finalist for Miss Basketball, along with Kristen Anderson of Leavitt.
Mitchell Worcester of Washburn was a Mr. Basketball finalist, joining John Murray of Medomak Valley.
With determination, dedication and a contagious will to win, Veroneau raised the level of every team she played for at Waynflete.
A two-time Western C tournament MVP, Veroneau saved her best for last, scoring 34 points, including her team’s last 16, to lead Waynflete’s come-from-behind win in the Class C state championship game. The 5-foot-7 guard averaged 19.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game this year while helping the Flyers to a 20-3 record. Veroneau is Waynflete’s all-time leading scorer with 1,465 career points, and she holds Western C tournament records for points (47) and three-pointers (9) in one game.
The daughter of Vincent and Nancy Veroneau, she has volunteered as a youth basketball and soccer coach for Maine Medical Center, Project Story Boost and Safe Passage. A four-year honor student, she plans to attend Boston College School of Nursing.
Beal paid tribute to his role model, his late father, Lindell, by making himself into an example on and off the floor for the youth of Jonesport-Beals.
An explosive 6-foot-5 guard, Beal was a four-year Downeast Athletic Conference All-Star. He led the Royals to the 2012 Class D state championship while earning Maine Gatorade Player of the Year honors as a junior.
He also reached the 1,000-point mark and broke school single-game and career scoring records held by his father even though he attempted less than 13 shots per game. As a senior, Beal played just 24 minutes per game yet averaged 33.8 points, 10 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game while leading the Royals to an undefeated regular season.
The son of Pamela and the late Lindell Beal, he carries a 3.5 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. He plans to attend the University of Maine and play basketball.
