Gavin Carlson, a Boothbay Region High School senior who never wore a Seahawk basketball jersey but attended more games and practices than most of the BRHS seniors on the team the past four years, was quite surprised to be honored alongside the senior all-star players at the McDonald’s North/South Senior All-Star Basketball games on Saturday, March 12.

Carlson, who has served as the BRHS boys basketball manager for the past four years, received the 2022 Patrick Thibodeau and John Titus Spirit of the Game Award, as presented by the Maine Association of Basketball Coaches, during a break in the games held at Husson University in Bangor. The award was initiated in 2009 to honor two high school students involved in the basketball program who embody the spirit of the sport, exemplify sportsmanship, show an ability to overcome obstacles and boundaries, and support and inspire their teammates and coaching staff. The award was inspired by its first two recipients Patrick Thibodeau of Greely High School and the late Joshua Titus of Edwards Little High School, and the award is given annually in their names to recipients from Eastern and Western Maine.

“We told him we wanted him to come along to cheer for our all-star Lucas Hardwick,” said his coach Dan Hallinan. “He didn’t know he was getting the award.”

“I was surprised to get the award; I was shell shocked,” said Carlson on Monday. “I didn’t think I would get the award but I put all that time in and took my managing seriously. It has been really fun and amazing to see four different senior groups run through the program.”

Recently inducted into the BRHS chapter of the National Honor Society, Carlson has overcome several physical challenges since birth. He suffered from Infantile Spasms which is an ongoing seizure disorder. Surgeries to help with seizures and vision problems were done before Carlson was a toddler. According to the nomination letter for the Spirit of the Game Award written by Hallinan, Gavin “has ‘low vision,’ which manifests in Gavin as lower field loss, essentially making the lower quadrants blind. He also has severe dyslexia.”

Charlinda Carlson, Gavin’s mother, credited former BRHS coach I.J. Pinkham, as well as Hallinan, for providing her son’s involvement with the basketball program.

“Gavin tried summer ball in the summer of his 8th-9th grade year and quickly realized the pace of the game was too fast given his visual impairment. We called I.J. to let him know that we were sorry but Gavin could no longer commit to the team. I.J. said that it was OK but that he’d like for him to be part of the team in some way because he was such a good kid and the boys on the team really like having him around, so I.J. created a management position specifically for Gavin, which Dan continued. It’s been an amazing experience for Gavin,” said Carlson. “Coach Dan has been an amazing advocate and supporter of Gavin over the past four years. We are lucky to have him.”

Kayden Ames, a BRHS junior basketball player, also wrote a supporting letter for the award. Ames wrote, “I have known Gavin since first grade, and even at a young age, I was impressed with how well he overcomes his physical challenges. While Gavin is legally blind, he has enough vision and love of sports to play a big role on our varsity team … He is always professional and the first one to get up (off the bench) to give everyone high fives. He takes his role very seriously, and does not miss a practice, meeting or game. He is part of this team.”

Hallinan said Carlson’s accomplishments go beyond the hardwood floor. He has made the honor roll throughout high school, has received Seahawk Pride honors – given to students for going above and beyond their normal duties – several times, and was given the Harold B. Clifford Award for History and a Book Award for Science. He is currently taking classes at Bath Technical and Vocational School to be a certified nurses assistant. Since the age of 7, Carlson has attended MOBALE (Maine Organization for Blind Athletic and Leadership Education) where he has participated every year, starting as a counselor and eventually a coach.

“Gavin has the team’s trust and our backs … he always has been to look at the team as a family,” said Hallinan.

“Coach Dan is a hoot and he is one of the best coaches that I’ve had,” said Carlson. “He really knows his stuff about basketball. It was a great four years and I enjoyed the games; they were really fun to watch and to see them play, it’s amazing to see what they learned from coach and put it together. I am going to miss BRHS basketball. I consider them family and I am sad to leave them but I am ready.”

“I’m honored that the committee chose me. I know there are a lot of (high school) seniors that face obstacles like cancer, physical issues, challenges or disabilities, so I appreciate what they saw in me.”

Carlson will be attending the University of Iowa this fall to study sports management or medicine.

“Gavin is a hidden gem who I have been lucky to have by my side the past four years. I am looking forward to seeing his success carry on, where it be on the basketball court assisting another team as a manager or as a young adult outside of the Boothbay region,” said Hallinan.