Hembre

Clement

Male:

THEO HEMBRE, Senior—Hockey

* Travis Roy Award winner

* Class A All-State, first-team

* Class A Senior All-Star

* All-Academic

Hembre tweaked his approach, scored goals in abundance and after leading Falmouth to the playoffs, was honored as the state’s premier player.

Hembre started playing hockey at a young age and also played baseball and soccer growing up, but hockey soon emerged as his favorite.

“Hockey is so much different than any other sport,” Hembre said. “I love the speed.”

Hembre, a forward, saw limited time on the Falmouth varsity as a freshman. As a sophomore, he became a regular contributor and as a junior, Hembre was named to the all-star team.

This winter, he became a household name as the goals and victories piled up.

Hembre scored 27 goals and added 20 assists. Early highlights included two goals and two assists in a season-opening win over Massabesic, two goals in a victory over Scarborough, two goals in a “Dudley Cup” loss to Greely and two goals in a win over Portland/Deering.

Then, after failing to score in losses at Lewiston and Biddeford, Hembre figured out a solution via an unorthodox method.

“Coach (Deron Barton) had me watch YouTube videos of (National Hockey League) players in shootouts,” Hembre said. “I picked up a few things.”

The next time out, Hembre scored four goals in a win over Bangor. Hembre closed the regular season by scoring twice in a second victory over Bangor, producing a hat trick in a second win over Portland/Deering, another hat trick in a win over eventual three-peat Class A state champion Lewiston and two more goals in a season-ending win over St. Dom’s.

After a three-week hiatus, Falmouth’s season ended with a painful overtime loss to eventual regional champion Biddeford in the Class A South semifinals. Hembre had one final assist in the setback.

“It was a fun senior year,” Hembre said. “We were so close as a team and we had fun together.”

Following the season, Hembre received several honors, capped by the Travis Roy Award, given to the state’s premier Class A senior player.

“It’s an honor to be considered,” Hembre said. “I was thrilled to get it.”

Hembre, who plays hockey year-round, plans to take a post-graduate year, then hopes to play at the college level.

He has what it takes to continue excelling on the ice. Theo Hembre, Falmouth’s Winter Male Athlete of the Year, was consistently at his best when his team needed him most.

Coach Deron Barton’s comment: “Theo is a prolific player, a prolific scorer. He was bubbling over and the offense just came. He performed his best against the best competition. He performed his best against the toughest teams.”

Previous winners:

2016-17 Connor Perron (swimming)

2015-16 Thomas Coyne (basketball)

2014-15 Jake Perron (swimming)

2013-14 Joe Lesniak (Alpine skiing)

2012-13 Tom Wilberg (basketball)

2011-12 Jack Cooleen (basketball)

2010-11 Reid Pryzant (track)

2009-10 Stefano Mancini (basketball)

2008-09 Mike Chase (hockey)

2007-08 Tom Winger (track)

2006-07 James Tolan (hockey)

2005-06 Bryant Barr (basketball)

2004-05 Peter Gustavson (hockey)

2003-04 Brandon Bonsey (track)

2002-03 Jon Hutchins (hockey)

2001-02 Garrett Weliever (basketball)

Female

EVA CLEMENT, Freshman-Nordic skiing

Clement took to the trails this winter hoping to have some fun. Mission accomplished, as she wound up emerging as one of the state’s finest skiers, regardless of age or class.

Clement began as an Alpine skier and later took up Nordic skiing as well.

“I love being on skis,” Clement said. “If you give everything you have, it’s a great feeling after a race.”

After spending a year at Carrabassett Valley Academy, Clement came to Falmouth this school year and after playing soccer this past fall, stood out as a skiing prodigy this winter.

Clement debuted by winning a skate race at Fryeburg. She was consistently strong in both the skate and the classical and was at her best in the postseason. Clement wound up second in Class A in the skate with a time of 16 minutes, 22.8 seconds, then placed sixth in the classical (19:52.6). Clement capped her season at the Eastern High School championships, where she came in 44th in the sprint and 45th in the classical.

“I was surprised to do that well,” Clement said. “Going into states, I wanted top 10 in the classic and top three in the skate. I’d say I’m one of the most competitive people I know.”

Clement now turns her attention to playing lacrosse this spring. She also belongs to Falmouth’s Service Club. Looking forward, she hopes to win a state title.

Don’t be surprised if she wins multiple championships. Eva Clement, Falmouth’s Winter Female Athlete of the Year, is already one of the best Nordic skiers around. What’s frightening for the opposition is that she’s only going to get faster.

Coach Kaitlyn Bernard’s comment: “All successful athletes work hard and of course Eva does too, but what strikes me about her is her incredible attitude. She is supportive and encouraging to her teammates, is motivated and tough during practice and has a fierce competitive streak during competition, but she is overall humble and sincere in her success. She’s a great kid and I’m thrilled to be able to support her through her high school Nordic career.”

Previous winners:

2016-17 Evie Clement (hockey)

2015-16 Charlotte Janelle (diving)

2014-15 Ally Hickey (basketball)

2013-14 Anna Morin (skiing)

2012-13 Charlotte Janelle (diving)

2011-12 Megan Fortier (hockey)

2010-11 Nicola Mancini (diving)

2009-10 Sarah Abramson (skiing)

2008-09 Kristin Jackson (swimming)

2007-08 Kristin Jackson (swimming)

2006-07 Alicia Hahn (swimming)

2005-06 Gina Mancini (swimming)

2004-05 Emily Sheldon (swimming)

2003-04 Alison Tozier (swimming)

2002-03 Gina Mancini (swimming)

2001-02 Megan White (diving)

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

Hembre