2011-12 Winter Male Athlete of the Year:

ASAD DAHIA, Senior—Basketball

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CITATIONS

* WMC Class C all-star, first team

* WMC Senior All-Star

* Team leading scorer

* Team leader in steals

* Co-captain

Dahia had a lot of pressure on his shoulders this winter, but came up big time and again to help keep the Panthers competitive.

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Dahia, a Portland resident who got into basketball in the eighth grade, spent his high school career at NYA, made the varsity team as a freshman and has been a key contributor ever since. This winter, he upped the ante as the team’s lone returner who had seen much playing time the year before.

Dahia opened with 16 points against Freeport. He also had 29 points versus A.R. Gould, 17 against Gray-New Gloucester, 18 versus Old Orchard Beach, 20 against Hyde, 19 against Sacopee, 17 versus Waynflete, 20 in a second meeting with Old Orchard Beach and 32 in the regular season finale versus Traip. He also had 34 points in a non-countable prep league contest versus Hebron.

While the Panthers fell short of the playoffs, Dahia was named a first-team all-star. He was second in the conference in both scoring (19.3 points per game) and steals (3.4). He capped his high school career with a 14-point, five-rebound performance in the WMC Senior All-Star Game.

Dahia also played soccer at NYA and will be part of the outdoor track team this spring. He would love to play at the next level, but is undecided on his college destination.

Dahia didn’t have it easy this winter, but he was an outstanding player and team leader.

Athletic director and former coach Mike Dutton’s comment: “Asad was certainly the most gifted returnee on the team. He was our most offensively skilled player by far. He was happy to embrace that role. He was also our best ball handler. Other teams designed their defense to try and stop him. He was the quickest guard in Western Maine Conference Class C. He has a great attitude. He wants to work hard to get better.”

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2010-11 winner: Ian Moore (Skiing)

2009-10 winner: Henry Sterling (Track)

2008-09 winner: Henry Sterling (Track)

2007-08 winner: Ian Nichols (Swimming)

2006-07 winner: Chris Engel (Swimming)

2005-06 winner: Rob Carpenter (Indoor track)

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2004-05 winner: Tim DeLuca (Basketball)

2003-04 winner: Dan Bartlett (Hockey)

2002-03 winner: Steve Lawrence (Hockey)

2001-02 winner: Matt Smith (Hockey)

2011-12 Winter Female Athlete of the Year:

MORGAN SCULLY, Senior—Basketball

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CITATIONS

* WMC Class C all-star, first-team

* WMC All-Academic team

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* Team’s leading scorer

* Team’s assists leader

* Team’s steals leader

* Co-captain

Scully was a force for a team which battled hard all season and managed to reach the playoffs.

The Edgecomb resident has been commuting to NYA since her freshman year and the girls’ basketball program has certainly benefited. She started playing at a young age and made the varsity team as a freshman. Scully was a second-team all-star as a junior and came on big time this winter.

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Highlights included 12 points against Sacopee, 13 versus Traip, 12 against Pine Tree, 12 versus Hyde, 14 against Gray-New Gloucester, 17 in a win over Hyde, 18 against Greater Portland Christian, 12 versus Hebron, 16 (along with 11 boards and six steals) against Sacopee, 19 versus Buckfield, a season-high 21 versus Waynflete, 16 against Old Orchard Beach and a career-high 27 versus Buckfield.

NYA made it to the playoffs, where it was ousted by Mt. Abram in the preliminary round. In that one, Scully bowed out with a 19-point performance.

She wound up making the first-team this year, led the Panthers in scoring (13.2 points, which was good for seventh in the conference), steals (2.9, 10th in the conference) and assists (1.8, which also led the WMC) and was second in rebounds (6.9).

Scully also ran cross-country and will compete in the 400 and throws in outdoor track. She’s part of the Chemistry Club and volunteers at a nursery school. She’ll attend Kenyon College in Ohio, where she hopes to continue playing basketball.

Scully has gotten better each season and it’s quite likely we haven’t heard the last of her hardcourt feats.

Coach Liz Smith’s comment: “We relied on Morgan to have the ball in her hands the majority of the time. She’s a consistent outside shooter but also can score inside. She always had the team as her first priority. In every game, she would do what the team needed to help us win or stay competitive whether it be shooting 3-pointers, getting to the foul line, beating the press or defending the post. Beyond all of that, she is one of the most humble people I have ever met.”

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2010-11 winner: Blair Haggett (Basketball)

2009-10 winner: Emily McKinnon (Swimming)

2008-09 winner: Courtney Dumont (Hockey)

2007-08 winner: Courtney Dumont (Hockey)

2006-07 winner: Ingrid Knowles (Nordic skiing)

2005-06 winner: Ingrid Knowles (Nordic skiing)

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2004-05 winner: Kathryn Engel (Swimming)

2003-04 winner: Teddy Fortin (Hockey)

2002-03 winner: Bobbi Dennison (Basketball)

2001-02 winner: Ashley Spicer (Basketball)

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

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