Yarmouth, Maine, February 17, 2023: The North Yarmouth Academy (NYA) girls basketball team enters the Class C State Tournament as the South #1 seed (17-1) after earning Class C South Runners-Up a year ago. Their first test of the post-season tips-off against #9 Madison, Tuesday, February 21 at 8:30 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center (ACC). This is the first time in Academy history the girls basketball team enters the tournament ranked #1. “The team has tournament experience from last year’s run to the finals,” said Coach Tom Robinson. “It is a deep, well-balanced team that plays hard every time they step on the court.”
The Panther faithful plan to whiteout the ACC behind the team wearing the home white jerseys. NYA Athletic Director Kelsy Ross added, “Playing in the Augusta basketball tournament is really special. We hope that the NYA community will support the team and represent our community by being loud, proud, and positive in the stands!”
The team’s run is led by a pair of standout seniors, Angel Huntsman (Harpswell) and Sarah English (Poland). Both were selected to the McDonalds All-Star Team and have been invited to play in the statewide game. Huntsman’s basketball season follows suit from her highly decorated fall soccer season. She is a Finalist for the Western Maine Conference Butler Award. This annual award is given to a Maine senior as “the top basketball player in the Western Maine Conference for leadership, sportsmanship, citizenship, commitment, and performance.”
Angel is also a semifinalist for Miss Maine Basketball. Well known in the high school basketball community, this honor “recognizes the top high school basketball player in the state of Maine. The award is presented annually by the Maine Association of Basketball Coaches. The award is given to a senior player who best demonstrates basketball skills, makes significant impact on her team, shows leadership and respect for the game, and demonstrates good sportsmanship and citizenship both on and off the court. The annual selection is made by a 5-person committee composed of three media representatives and two retired coaches.” Huntsman would be the first Panther to earn this title.
North Yarmouth Academy is an independent, college preparatory, coeducational school for toddlers to postgraduate students with an enrollment of 375 students. Since 1814, NYA has fostered integrity, character, and intellect in its students. For more information, please contact NYA at 207-847-5423 or information@nya.org and visit our website at NYA.org.