Maine Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2017

The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame will induct the class of 2017 on Sunday at the Cross Insurance Center. Terry Spurling who played High School basketball in Ellsworth and coached 17 years in Mars Hill and in Houlton, former Fort Fairfield High School and University of Maine standout Jim Stephenson , Diane Nagle who played in Houlton and then played at the University of Maine will all be inducted into the Shrine. Tom Pelletier of Fort Kent will be recognized as a Legend of the Game.

Spurling was a member of the 1954 Ellsworth Eagles who lost in the New England Championship game to Hillhouse by one point. Spurling is the third member of that team to be enshrined joining Jack Scott and John Edes. Spurling says he is excited to be recognized.

(Terry Spurling):"I am going to be very proud because my son Scott will be presenting me. All my family being there makes me really proud.

Spurling has spent a lot of time at the Cross Insurance Center following his grandchildren Kyle and Kolleen Bouchard. Spurling says walking into the building on Sunday will be another very special occasion.

Spurling:" It is going to be exciting I am going to be very proud . I know the majority of the people in there which makes it nice."

Tom Pelletier of Fort Kent is being recognized as a Legend of the Game. Pelletier was a first team All Maine Selection by the Bangor Daily News. He was an outstanding basketball and soccer player in High School, and decided to concentrate on soccer at Brown University where his team made it to the NCAA Division one Final Four in 1975.

(Tom Pelletier):"The Legends category is specifically designed for people who didn't have a long playing career, but made an impact otherwise in their local community."

Pelletier still holds the Fort Kent school record scoring 1768 points in his High School Career. He was also a two time First team All Maine selection. He says that while he received the awards it was a team effort.

Pelletier:"Basketball is a team sport and there is no way i would be receiving this honor if not for my coach Sam Jordan and all the players I played with to numerous for me to name."