Cheverus High School of Portland guard Maddie Fitzpatrick, who was named Miss Maine Basketball last Friday night, has won the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year award for the second straight year.
The award, announced Thursday, goes to the top girls player in the state.
Fitzpatrick had a remarkable senior season in which she led her 22-0 Lady Stags to their second state AA championship in three years.
The 5-foot-11 player led AA North in points per game during the regular season (25.5), rebounds (11.3) and steals (4.9). She was third in assists (4.4) and was fourth in free throw percentage (76.9 percent) and tied for fourth with two 3-pointers made per game.
“It’s just incredible. All my work has paid off,” said Fitzpatrick, who will play for the University of Maine next fall. “I have to thank the people I’ve been around: my family, my teammates, my coaches. It wouldn’t have been possible without them.
“It’s something I’ve dreamt of for so long. They’re the two big goals I had and to accomplish them with my teammates and coaches is incredible,” she added.
She became the first Lady Stag to eclipse the 1,000-point mark for her career.
Fitzpatrick, a first team Bangor Daily News All-Maine Schoolgirl team selection a year ago, had to take on an even more prominent role this season for the Stags because post player and third team All-Maine choice Emma Lizotte transferred to Saco’s Thornton Academy and sisters and valuable role players Jenna and Jaelyn Jensen transferred to Mt. Ararat High in Topsham.
“I am very happy for her. She deserves it,” said Cheverus coach Bill Goodman. “She was asked to do more so I had to move her around.”
Goodman used her as a point guard, a post player and a wing.
“She can shoot, she can handle the ball, she’s a great passer, she has post moves,” said Goodman. “Her stats were incredible.”
“She is a very special athlete. And she was a great teammate,” added Goodman, who also called her a very hard worker.
Her 25.5 points per game were most among any AA player, North or South, boys or girls.
She averaged 17.7 points per game a year ago.
“That was something that was difficult for me,” said the 18-year-old Fitzpatrick. “It has never been my first instinct to score. But Coach Goodman drilled it into me (that I needed to shoot more).
“It was tough. I had to deal with it,” she said.
Goodman said she was a terrific all-around player and Fitzpatrick said that is something she has always taken pride in.
“My dad (Chris) had always been my coach and he stressed that it was important to do our best in all categories,” said Fitzpatrick. “A lot of times, people just focus on offense and shooting, especially the way basketball is played today.”
She said her father and coach Goodman have always emphasized defense, taking the right shot and “having the best possession possible.”
She said Goodman has always been very honest with her and that is a trait she values. That is one of the primary reasons she decided to attend UMaine because Black Bear head coach Amy Vachon is the same way.
“I want to know the whole truth so I know how to improve. Having those honest discussions can sometimes be hard to hear. But you need them if you want to become better,” said Fitzpatrick.
She is “super excited” about her upcoming career at UMaine and said there is “definitely a lot of work to do” this spring and summer in preparation for her college career.
She will be spending a lot of time in the weight room.
“I need to work on my strength, quickness and agility,” said the daughter of Chris and Marsha Fitzpatrick.
Being versatile has always been a priority for her and she doesn’t care where Vachon decides to play her.
“I’ll go wherever she wants me to go,” said Fitzpatrick.