Nolan Ames is undoubtedly one of the biggest draws in Maine high school boys basketball this season, and the high-flying sharpshooter from Camden Hills Regional High School has wasted no time demonstrating why.
Ames makes scoring 29 points look almost effortless, as he did against Bangor over the weekend. That included a pivotal stretch in the first half where he scored 10 straight, turning an 11-8 deficit for the Windjammers into an 18-11 lead that his team would not relinquish.
The senior shooting guard flashed his defensive and jumping ability early in the win over Bangor with a steal and slam dunk in transition. And then he quickly showed his versatility in putting together that 10-point run.
Ames drove and knocked down a fade-away jumper on the baseline, then turned around and made a three-pointer. He registered another steal and drove for a layup to make it seven straight points, before adding an and-1 bucket in transition and making the free throw.
“He steps up when needed. He’s a good leader,” Camden Hills head coach Joel Gabriele said about Ames, one of the brightest stars in Maine basketball this year. “He makes the right plays. I’ve always believed that his passing ability might be his greatest strength. And of course, he can get a bucket when needed.”
That playmaking ability helped Ames make the BDN All-Maine second team a year ago, and he was the only junior among a list of seniors on the first and second teams. Ames averaged more than 22 points and nine rebounds per game last season, and the 1,000-point career scorer is already piling up the baskets this year.
Ames is also comfortable playing the role of facilitator to get his teammates involved.
“Just be a leader, and make sure everyone’s getting touches and contributing, so we can all play as a unit,” Ames said about his approach.
The Camden Hills team is 5-0 after Tuesday night’s win against previously undefeated rival Medomak Valley.
“We’re thankful for where we’re at,” Gabriele said after the Bangor win. “But we’re just going one step at a time knowing that you’ve got to build a strong foundation, take it step by step, to hopefully get somewhere in February.”
Opposing teams will do their best to slow Ames down in the meantime, but as the Rams found out Saturday, that’s easier said than done.
“They’re a good club. They’ve got an elite player with Nolan Ames, and then they’ve got a really good supporting cast that plays well together,” said Bangor coach Jay Kemble.
Kemble called Ames a “difference maker” because of what opponents need to do to guard him.
“We didn’t really change anything, but it forces us to pinch our gaps a little bit more, to try to take his ability away to drive,” Kemble said. “And then they had other kids that were able to make shots as the ball was kicked out.”
If there’s anyone downplaying Ames’ dominance on the court, it’s himself. When asked about the key to his success against Bangor, he deflected the credit.
“I’d say it’s my teammates getting me open looks,” Ames said. “My coach drawing up good plays, getting me open.”
And he’s bullish on his Camden Hills team this season, which has to be among the favorites in Class A North after falling in the regional semifinals last season.
“We’re very close, and we’re very excited for the rest of the year,” Ames said about the Windjammers squad.
As Ames pointed out, the team plays a high-tempo and entertaining brand of basketball.
And Ames is at the center of it.
“We run and gun,” he said. “Run the floor, have fun.”