Nolan Ames said “dreams come true.” And he is living proof.
The talented Camden Hills High School guard was named the recipient of the Mr. Maine Basketball Award at the McDonald’s Senior All-Stars Weekend Banquet at the Anah Shriners building in Bangor on Friday night.
“I’ve been dreaming about this since I was very little,” said the 6-foot-2 Ames after the banquet. “It means a lot. It means the world to me and my family.”
Ames averaged 27 points per game this season along with 7 rebounds and four assists.
Ames and his Windjammers team fell just one win short of a Class A championship, losing to Portland in the state final. He had a game-high 30 points in yet another balanced performance for his Camden Hills team. He also grabbed eight rebounds and had three steals and two assists.
His coach Joel Gabriele called it a “fantastic performance” to close out a “remarkable career” for Ames at Camden Hills.
“He carried us. He did everything he physically could,” Gabriele told Michael Hoffer about Ames. “He literally poured everything on to the floor. We expected nothing less.”
Ames, who is going to Waterville’s Colby College in the fall, averaged 23.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.3 steals in the Windjammers’ three Class A North tournament victories.
He nearly had a triple-double in the championship game win over Brunswick as he hd 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
Bangor High School coach Jay Kemble called Ames an elite player. And Gabrielle called Ames a good leader.
“He steps up when needed. He makes the right plays,” Gabrielle said earlier in the season. “I’ve always believed his passing ability might be his greatest strength. And he can get a bucket when needed.”
The other two finalists were Akol Maiwen from Edward Little High School in Auburn and Tyrie James from Windham High School. Ames congratulated them as well as the other semifinalists on their “incredible careers” during his acceptance speech.
“Competing with all of you has been an honor and congratulations to all the other all stars here tonight as well,” said Ames. “I’m proud to be a part of such an incredible basketball community.”
Ames said after the banquet that his career has evolved thanks to the improvements he has made strength-wise.
“As a freshman, I was 130 pounds. Putting on muscle has enabled me to get to the rim,” said Ames.
In addition to adding strength, he said he has significantly improved his shooting ability.
“I have definitely put in a lot of hard work and it has showed,” Ames said.
In his acceptance speech, he thanked his parents for their support throughout his career.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today as a player or a person if it wasn’t for them,” Ames said.
Ames became a fan favorite with his impressive dunks, and he is also a top-notch defender.
