Dahia

Giguere

Male:

DIRAIGE DAHIA, Sophomore-Basketball

* WMC All-Star, Class C, first-team

Dahia burst on to the scene this winter and helped a very talented Flyers squad produce a long win streak and another successful campaign.

Dahia started playing basketball in Westbrook in the fourth grade and began taking it seriously in the sixth grade when he arrived at Waynflete. He saw key minutes as a freshman as the Flyers reached the semifinals, but this winter, he emerged as a star.

Dahia averaged 14 points, including nearly three 3-pointers per contest, and 3.5 rebounds, helping Waynflete go 15-3, capped by a 12-game win streak.

Highlights included 12 points in a season-opening loss to Wells, 11 points in a win over North Yarmouth Academy, 14 points in a victory over Traip Academy, 22 points in a loss to Yarmouth, 13 in a win over Greater Portland Christian, 17 points in a victory over Gray-New Gloucester, 17 points in a second win over Traip, 12 in a victory over Poland, 24 points in a win over Sacopee Valley, 22 in a victory over Old Orchard Beach, 16 in a win over A.R. Gould and 15 in a regular season-ending victory over NYA.

Waynflete then suffered a painful quarterfinal round loss to Boothbay, as Dahia tallied 11 points.

“It was a good season overall,” Dahia said. “We built team chemistry and ended on a roll. We had good energy and we have a good coach. That made it enjoyable.”

Dahia, who has the ability to score at the rim and from beyond the 3-point arc, played for the Yes AAU team and is an Admissions Ambassador at Waynflete. He hopes to play in college. 

First, he has two more seasons two strut his stuff. Keep an eye on Diraige Dahia, Waynflete’s Winter Male Athlete of the Year, as he leads the Flyers to big things.

Coach Rich Henry’s comment: “Diraige went from being a role player last year to our leading scorer, but I can honestly say that our coaching staff was not surprised because of what we saw from him as a freshman. He emerged over the summer and works hard in practice. He’s got two more years to develop and I see him being a defensive stopper as well as an all-around scorer. He’s very coachable.”

Previous winners:

2016-17 Willson Moore (Nordic skiing)

2015-16 Milo Belleau (basketball)

2014-15 Milo Belleau (basketball)

2013-14 Serge Nyirikamba (basketball)

2012-13 Serge Nyirikamba (basketball)

2011-12 Luke Jeton (swimming)

2010-11 Joe Veroneau (basketball)

2009-10 Nate Niles (Nordic skiing)

2008-09 Hassan Jeylani (basketball)

2007-08 Tom Reagan (Nordic skiing)

2006-07 Lucas Milliken (Nordic skiing)

2005-06 Lucas Milliken (Nordic skiing)

2004-05 David Wells (swimming)

2003-04 Jeff Bates (Nordic skiing)

Female:

LYDIA GIGUERE, Senior—Basketball

* WMC Class C All-Star, first-team

* WMC Senior All-Star

* WMC All-Academic

* Bob Butler Award finalist

* Maine McDonald’s Senior All-Star

* Captain

Giguere was a stat-stuffing powerhouse for a Waynflete squad which once again qualified for the playoffs.

Giguere, who came to Waynflete in the fourth grade, started playing basketball (and soccer) at a young age and it wasn’t long before she followed in the footsteps of her older sister, Arianna, and became a standout.

“I love being on a team and competing,” Giguere said. “I was pretty good at basketball since I was young. It’s fun to play.”

Giguere made the Western Maine Conference second-team as a freshman, was a first-team selection after averaging 10.1 points per game as a sophomore and was named again to the first-team as a junior after averaging 12.9 points per contest.

This winter, Giguere was the focal point for the Flyers throughout, averaging 15.2 points per game (sixth in the conference), 9.7 rebounds (first), 3.5 steals (seventh) and 1.3 assists. Giguere led Waynflete in every statistical category except assists, in which she placed second.

Highlights included 21 points in a win over Traip Academy, 16 in a victory over Hebron Academy, 17 in a win over Sacopee Valley, 19 in a loss to Old Orchard Beach, 21 in a loss to eventual Class B South finalist Freeport, 16 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to St. Dom’s, 22 points in a second win over Sacopee and 21 in a regular season-ending win over NYA.

In a preliminary round loss to Richmond, Giguere bowed out with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Following the season, Giguere (who scored 850 points in her career) was named to the conference and regional all-star teams.

“Overall, it was a good season,” Giguere said. “We focused on staying together.”

Giguere also takes part on the rowing team and belongs to Waynflete’s Entrepreneur Club, Yearbook, Life Smarts, Titan Challenge and Science Olympiad. She is weighing her college options and has much to look forward to.

She certainly was a force to be reckoned with this season. Lydia Giguere, Waynflete’s Winter Female Athlete of the Year, was undeniable, unstoppable and won’t soon be forgotten for her contributions.

Coach Mike Jefferds’ comment: “Lydia was able to score from anywhere on the floor. She’s an aggressive defensive player who led the team in rebounds and steals. She was the only player to play in all 19 games. She had a consistent effort and attitude all season long. She was our most versatile player, playing every position on the floor throughout the season. She’s a dedicated student-athlete who gave all she had to the team. She’s one of the most teachable players that I have ever coached.”

Previous winners:

2016-17 Annika Brooks (basketball)

2015-16 Kelley Frumer (Alpine skiing)

2014-15 Helen Gray-Bauer (basketball)

2013-14 Colby Harvey (swimming)

2012-13 Martha Veroneau (basketball)

2011-12 Martha Veroneau (basketball)

2010-11 Martha Veroneau (basketball)

2009-10 Morgan Woodhouse (basketball)

2008-09 Annie Cutler (basketball)

2007-08 Margaret Veroneau (basketball

2006-07 Margaret Veroneau (basketball)

2005-06 Margaret Veroneau (basketball)

2004-05 Holly Whitney (Nordic skiing)

2003-04 Betsy Critchfield (Nordic skiing)

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

Dahia

Giguere