MAU Boys Basketball

The MAU Boys Basketball team held their banquet last night. Below are the awards that were given out. Congratulations to all the winners.

Fred Grant Improvement Award -
Fred was a local business owner/supporter of the basketball program. This award is given annually to a player who shows improvement throughout the season. This player started the season strong then struggled a little bit half way through the season. He is getting this award because he fought through that set back and came back strong. He led the team in rebounds with 101 and probably would have led the team in shooting percentage if he would stick with shots under the hoop. This years Fred Grant Improvement Award goes to Seth Greenslet

Dave Hicks Memorial Award - Dave Hicks was a center on the 1984 semi final team. His junior year he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery. He returned his senior year and became an all-state player. He continued to follow MAU hoops up until 2005 when his cancer returned. He passed away later that year. The recipient of this award will have their name on the plaque outside the athletic office. This award is given annually to a player with great enthusiasm, passion and energy for the game. This player really stepped up his game this season. He had a total of 34 points last season to 187 this year. He was the second highest scorer on the team, and played great defense recording 29 steals. He had a standout game against Woodstock with a career high 29 points, 21 of which were 3 pointers. He is a great kid hes always smiling and really enjoys the game. It was hard not to see him get to play in his last game due to an injury, and will be missed as a MAU athlete. This years Dave Hicks Memorial Award goes to Averyll Williams.

Dan Sleeman Tenacity Award - Dan was a standout basketball player for MAU and was a key player for 3 state championship teams during his 4 year varsity career. After his MAU career he continued playing for Lyndon State where he started all four years and was selected to the All Conference team 4 times. He returned to MAU in 1999 as the varsity boys coach and coached one year of girls in 2017. His teams won the league championship 7 times and took 8 teams to the Division one final four. Dan was known for his leadership, calm demeanor and tenacity. This award is given to a player dedicated to the team and works hard. This player is a standout defender and usually guarded the opponents toughest player. He loves the game of basketball and plays year round. He had the 3rd highest point total and 2nd highest in assists, steals, and rebounds. This years recipient of the Dan Sleeman Tenacity Award is Kaleb Ordway.

Owen Iannotti Award -
The Owen Iannotti award is given out in honor of the late MAU player Owen Iannotti who passed away in 2015. This award is given to a player that exemplifies what it means to be a great teammate. Someone with a positive attitude, who is coachable, and a joy to be around. This years Owen Iannotti award goes to Van Gosselin.

Bob Hogan Unsung Hero - Was a major influence on Bennington LIttle League and never missed a basketball game. If you were a Bennington Little League player you played many games on Hogan field at the complex. This award is given to a player who accepts their role, consistently does their job practice to practice and game to game. This player knew his role from the beginning of the season and understood his assignment. He didnt see a ton of minutes but the minutes he played were beneficial and effective. He would get us a big basket from time to time and worked hard on defense. He was a great leader on the team and was the voice during huddle cheers. He is also a good baseball player and played many years on Hogan field. This years Bob Hogan Unsung Hero Award goes to Colby Hill.

Dave Fredrickson Warrior Award - During his 36 years as the head boy’s basketball coach at Arlington and Mount Anthony, Fredrickson posted 505 wins, among the most in Vermont high school history. His teams won 18 league titles and appeared in the state Final Four 17 years. Dave took Mount Anthony to the championship game 10 times and captured eight state titles, his first coming in 1974. He won a Vermont record five-straight crowns between 1988 and 1992. He is the only coach at MAU to win a boy’s basketball state title. This award goes to a player who embodies toughness, resilience, and relentless effort. This athlete competes with heart, pushes through adversity, and never backs down from a challenge. A true warrior leads through action, giving everything for their team every single day. This player rose to any challenge we gave him and did it to the best of his ability. He was at every single practice and played in every single game. Although he was told to never shoot a 3 pointer, I did give him the green light a couple of times and he did shoot 5. I will let you guess the outcome. His job was to out work the player he was against, get rebounds and make his layups. He did have the highest field goal percentage on the team and the highest foul to minutes ratio. But we love his effort, his personality, and his commitment. This years Dave Fredrickson Warrior Award goes to Calvin James.

Dick Manning Most Valuable Player - The Mannings owned the Heritage House restaurant in Bennington, MAU banquets were held there for many years and they were longtime supporters of MAU Basketball. This player is a 3 year varsity player, he led the team in scoring with 235 points in 18 games averaging 13 points a game. He also led the team in assists with 66 and steals with 48. His basketball knowledge is incredible and often had great ideas and thoughts on in game strategies. This years Dick Manning MVP award goes to Kelly Callanan.

Butch Miles Senior Award - The last award is named after Butch Miles who was a longtime supporter of the program. When he passed his will stated that a scholarship be started in his name so this award comes with a $500 scholarship. This award is given to a senior with the greatest cooperation, sportsmanship, and also excels in the classroom. This years recipient was a great teammate and fun to be around. His minutes increased this season and scored almost 5 times more points this year than his junior year. He was a hard worker and definitely improved his game. You knew when he would hit a big shot because he would be seen hitting the celly. He is also pretty good in the classroom having a 3.7 GPA and is 22nd in his class. He has been on the honor roll all four years and received the presidential Excellence award in 10th and 11th grade. I'm sure he will be getting more honors at the senior awards ceremony at the end of this year. He has been accepted into multiple colleges and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. This years Butch Miles Senior Award goes to Reilly Granger.

Square Pool to Benefit MAU Boys Basketball Scholarship and Awards
Duke vs UNC Game 3/7
$20 a square
$1200 to payouts $800 to fundraiser
$150 paid out at each media timeout

Game Day
At Woodstock
JV at 5:30 Varsity at 7