Smith

Holt

Male:

TOBY HOLT, Senior—Basketball

* WMC all-star, first-team

* WMC Senior All-Star

* Captain

Holt was again a key cog on a Falcons’ team that did better than the year before and he bows out leaving the program in a much healthier spot than he found it.

Holt earns Athlete of the Year honors for the second year in a row.

Holt was more of a baseball talent in middle school, but by high school, basketball became his primary focus and he made his mark on the hardwood.

“I like that one person can take over a game,” Holt said. 

Holt was on the freshman and junior varsity teams as a freshman, then joined the varsity his sophomore season as Freeport improved from three victories to five. Holt then helped the Falcons win 11 games and make the tournament his junior season for the first time in the decade.

This winter, Freeport faced expectations, but was competitive against everyone, even if it did battle through a midseason skid. The Falcons managed to win a dozen games and make it back to the tournament, but couldn’t solve eventual regional champion Cape Elizabeth in the quarterfinals.

“It was a tough and inconsistent year, but we wanted to improve the program and it was great to do so,” Holt said.

Holt finished with 758 career points. As a senior, he averaged 15.2 points and 6.4 rebounds. Highlights included 18 points, including the go-ahead free throws, in a come-from-behind win at Yarmouth, 18 points in a loss to Gray-New Gloucester, 19 points in a victory over Morse, 20 points in a win over Old Orchard Beach, 22 points in a win over Poland, 19 points in a victory over Fryeburg Academy, 19 points in a loss to York, 19 points in a win over Lake Region, a season-high 26 points in a victory over defending regional champion Wells and 19 points in a regular season-ending win over Gray-New Gloucester. Holt then bowed out a win a team-high 12 points in the playoff loss to the Capers.

Holt will play baseball this spring, then he hopes to continue his basketball career at either Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts or Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts.

Toby Holt, Freeport’s Winter Male Athlete of the Year, played an integral role in the Falcons’ success and like his team, got better each year.

Coach Bill Ridge‘s comment: “Toby has been the centerpiece of our program for the past three seasons. As a sophomore, he was the team’s most prolific scorer and rebounder and he continued that output through his junior and senior years. He’s been a model citizen and student along the way, helping the youth programs and always being in good academic standing. He’s fundamentally one of the most gifted players to come through our program in some time. The varsity program improved its win total each of his four seasons, which was in large part the product of Toby’s leadership and hard work.”

Previous winners:

2017-18 Toby Holt (basketball)

2016-17 Yacob Olins (Skiing)

2015-16 Henry Jaques (track)

2014-15 Blake Enrico (skiing)

2013-14 Harrison Stivers (track)

2012-13 Ryder Bennell (skiing)

2011-12 Taylor Saucier (track)

2010-11 Ryan Collet (skiing)

2009-10 Ryan Collet (skiing)

2008-09 Jon Klages (basketball)

2007-08 Reid Christian (basketball)

2006-07 Danny Mehler (basketball)

2005-06 Nate Fuller (skiing)

2004-05 Dan Sandberg (skiing)

2003-04 Kegan Pettit (hockey)

2002-03 Frank Roy (skiing)

2001-02 Griff Leach (skiing)

Female:

CAROLINE SMITH—Junior, Basketball

* WMC All-Conference, first-team

* Mike DiRenzo Award winner (regional tournament MVP)

* Freeport’s Achievement Award winner

* Captain

Smith stuffed the stat sheet and helped the Falcons remain one of the top teams in Class B South thanks to a transcendent effort and her best is still to come.

Smith fell in love with basketball at a young age.

“I like being in the gym,” she said. “I enjoy the relationships with my teammates and coaches. I’ve had some dedicated coaches who helped my skill development.”

Smith, who has also played three years of soccer for the Falcons, made the Freeport basketball varsity team as a freshman and as a sophomore, she was a top player on a senior-laden squad which got to the regional final for the first time in over four decades.

The Falcons were expected by some to come back to the pack this winter, but Smith made sure that didn’t happen, as she averaged 17.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.4 steals a game. Highlights included 21 points in a season-opening win over Sacopee Valley, 18 points in a victory at Yarmouth, 23 in a close victory over Mt. Ararat, 23 points in a win over Waynflete, 26 points and 12 rebounds in a victory over York and a career-high 35 points in a second win over Yarmouth. 

Smith was even better in the playoffs, averaging 22.3 points in three memorable games, winning the Mike DiRenzo Award as the regional tournament’s top player. Smith had 20 points in a quarterfinal round victory over Mountain Valley, 23 points in a thrilling overtime victory over Cape Elizabeth in the semifinals and 24 points in a regional final loss to eventual state champion Gray-New Gloucester. 

“I wasn’t surprised we had a good year,” Smith said. “I knew we’d be good.”

Smith, who is playing AAU basketball this spring with the Firecrackers program, hopes to bow out with a state championship next year, then figures to have plenty of interest from colleges.

Caroline Smith, Freeport’s Winter Female Athlete of the Year, has already established quite a legacy and she simply gets better the bigger the stage.

Coach Seth Farrington’s comment: “I could talk all day how Caroline can do anything on the floor that is asked. She can score in the paint, mid-range and from the 3-point line. She can play point guard, off the ball, or in the post. Her court vision and ability to generate easy offense for her teammates is second to none. She’s a defender who gives us the opportunity to switch anything because she can guard anyone. Her greatest quality is her competitive DNA and attention to detail. Her drive and work ethic to be the on the short list of the best players in the state is an inspiration to our program. Everyone should have a chance to coach an athlete that takes such tremendous pride in their craft.”

Previous winners:

2017-18 Allie Goodman (basketball)

2016-17 Lily Horne (Skiing)

2015-16 Lily Johnston (skiing)

2014-15 Emily Johnson (hockey)

2013-14 Nina Davenport (basketball)

2012-13 Nina Davenport (basketball)

2011-12 Elly Bengtsson (skiing)

2010-11 Elly Bengtsson (skiing)

2009-10 Adrian Baker (track)

2008-09 Molly Susla (skiing)

2007-08 Adrian Baker (track)

2006-07 Abby Fuller (swimming)

2005-06 Lucy Garrec (skiing)

2004-05 Logan Crane (track)

2003-04 Logan Crane (track)

2002-03 Jessica Harold (skiing)

2001-02 Molly Pierce (skiing)

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

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