Rickett

Brian Beard photo.

Larson

Male:

BRENT RICKETT, Senior—Hockey

* Holt Conference all-star, first-team

* Team MVP

* Athletic Council Award winner

* Captain

Rickett was a powerhouse in skates, capping his high school career as one of the region’s best scorers and he’s not close to being done on the ice.

Rickett started playing hockey at the age of three and says it’s always been his favorite sport.

“Hockey is a lot of fun,” Rickett said. “The speed and physicality are unlike any other sport.”

Rickett started at Deering before coming to NYA for his sophomore year. He’s played golf and lacrosse for the Panthers, but hockey is where he’s been most dominating. Rickett scored eight goals as a sophomore, produced 18 points as a junior, then lit the lamp with regularity this winter.

Rickett finished with 22 goals, 20 assists and averaged 1.45 points per contest playing against the top prep programs in New England.

“I’m naturally competitive and NYA made me a better player,” Rickett said. “Playing here opened doors for me with sports and academically.”

Rickett is also a school ambassador, the president of NYA’s Nutrition and Health Club and the vice president of the school’s Make-A-Wish Foundation. He plans to take a post-graduate year or play junior hockey before making a run at competing in college, perhaps as high as the Division I level.

He certainly has what it takes to make a mark at any level. Brent Rickett, North Yarmouth Academy’s Winter Male Athlete of the Year, is the kind of player and leader that coaches dream of.

Coach Tyler Walsh’s comment: “Brent was the foundation of our team this season. Serving as our captain both on and off the ice. Brent was someone I went to as a coach when we needed a spark throughout each and every game. Brent was tied for eighth in New England in goal scoring which is quite a feat with so many strong teams.”

Previous winners:

2016-17 Jake Malcom (basketball)

2015-16 Bobby Murray (hockey)

2014-15 Brad Potter (hockey)

2013-14 Michael McIntosh (track)

2012-13 T.J. Daigler (hockey)

2011-12 Asad Dahia (basketball)

2010-11 Ian Moore (skiing)

2009-10 Henry Sterling (track)

2008-09 Henry Sterling (track)

2007-08 Ian Nichols (swimming)

2006-07 Chris Engel (swimming)

2005-06 Rob Carpenter (track)

2004-05 Tim DeLuca (basketball)

2003-04 Dan Bartlett (hockey)

2002-03 Steve Lawrence (hockey)

2001-02 Matt Smith (hockey)

MAGGIE LARSON, Junior—Basketball

* WMC Class C All-Conference, first-team

Larson continued to stuff the stat sheet this winter while leading the Panthers to their best season in many years.

Larson started playing basketball in the third grade and while she also plays field hockey and lacrosse, she calls it her top sport.

“The relationships I’ve made through basketball are what I love about it,” Larson said.

Larson started playing with the NYA varsity as a freshman and made an immediate impact, averaging 13.9 points per game and earning all-star mention. As a sophomore, Larson was second in the conference in scoring, averaging 14.4 points per game. She also made 39 3-pointers and was a first-team all-star.

This winter, Larson was fifth in the league in scoring, averaging 16.2 points, fourth in made 3-pointers (33), fifth in steals (3.8) and sixth in assists (3.6) helping the Panthers post their best record (10-8) since the 2003-04 season.

Highlights included 22 points in a win over Hyde, 21 points in a victory at St. Dom’s, 21 points in a close loss to Sacopee Valley and 25 points in a loss to Waynflete.

The Panthers hosted Traip Academy in the Class C South preliminary round, but despite 17 points from Larson, fell short.

Larson was again named a first-team all-star for her efforts.

Larson, who plays with the Southern Maine Shock AAU team, is also the treasurer of NYA’s Make-A-Wish Club and belongs to the school’s ambassador program. She hopes to make it to Augusta as a senior and become the first Panthers girl to reach the 1,000-point plateau (she’s at 774).

It would be fitting if she’s the first to do so. Maggie Larson, North Yarmouth Academy’s Winter Female Athlete of the Year, is one of the top players in program history and she might just save her best for last.

Coach Nick Stacey’s comment: “Maggie became a point guard this year who saw the other team’s best defenders every night and kept her composure and stayed poised. It’s unbelievable how often she made the right basketball play and found open teammates early and often. She’s extremely unselfish. She’s an underrated defensive player, as you can see by her steals per game. She has a good feel for getting in the passing lanes defensively. I expect Maggie, along with a good supporting cast, will take NYA to new heights next year.”

Previous winners:

2016-17 Isabelle See (track)

2015-16 Sonia Lin (swimming)

2014-15 Alex Barnes (hockey)

2013-14 Sonia Lin (swimming)

2012-13 Sonia Lin (swimming)

2011-12 Morgan Scully (basketball)

2010-11 Blair Haggett (basketball)

2009-10 Emily McKinnon (swimming)

2008-09 Courtney Dumont (hockey)

2007-08 Courtney Dumont (hockey)

2006-07 Ingrid Knowles (Nordic skiing)

2005-06 Ingrid Knowles (Nordic skiing)

2004-05 Kathryn Engel (swimming)

2003-04 Teddy Fortin (hockey)

2002-03 Bobbi Dennison (basketball)

2001-02 Ashley Spicer (basketball)

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

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