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PHOTO: Edward Little High School senior John Shea and ELHS retired assistant principal Steve Galway. (Submitted photo)
By Linda Galway
AUBURN — There’s one piece of advice Edward Little High School senior John Shea has taken to heart.
“Trust your teammates and play hard,” are words to live by, he says, and although many accolades have come his way, being named the 2022 Gordon “John” Gillette Award winner ranks among the most memorable.
“I was hoping I had won it to be added to that history of great names,” he said. “It’s an honor to be part of such a prestigious award. I’ve watched players win this every year, and I’m honored to be added to the list. If I had not won it, I think it should have been Eli St. Laurent; he stepped up and made big shots.”
Gillette was a long-time chemistry teacher and boys’ basketball coach at Lewiston High School; he later served in those same capacities at Edward Little High School, until his retirement in 1988.
As is almost always the case with high school athletes, their entire family has made the decision to do whatever it takes to support the player’s goals. Parents (Chris and Bridget), siblings (Joseph and Jenna) and grandparents (Claudette and Albert Bazinet, France Shea and David and Beth Shea) all played a part laying strong foundations along the way.
“It was a huge commitment over the years; there were a lot of weekends away, just John and I,” Bridget recalled, adding “We’ve traveled to Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and many others. These are some of the greatest memories of my life — making friends through AAU and being able to see the kids and their families throughout the high school seasons.”
They truly are a basketball family; Chris played for EL, Joe is on the JV squad and is a stat manager for the varsity, and Jenna’s seventh-grade team at Auburn Middle School recently completed an undefeated season. “We love basketball!” Bridget added.
In addition to his favorite sport, John also played football and hockey early on, as well as competing in track and field events beginning with his freshman year and finishing ninth in the state competition for 2021 in the shot put.
He remembers exactly when the basketball option finished at the top of his favorites list. “First year of Eddies Camp with Coach Adams,” he says, noting he was in the second grade.
Chris was an outstanding player for Edward Little and coached house teams at the YMCA, where he currently serves as executive director of youth development.
“I liked when my dad coached me,” John said. “It was a long time ago, and I don’t really remember much of that part, but I know it was fun, and we always had a good team.”
Like all dedicated athletes, John has been coached by numerous capable individuals over the years. “I really look up to and respect Mike Adams, and I would also say Ed Silva was the first real coach I had at a young age. Even when I wasn’t playing for him and I was on the other team, he was always very supportive and encouraging.”
Fast forward to high school ball, and John admits he thrives on “back and forth emotional games, like the double OT Lewiston game,” held Feb. 10 at the EL gym and often called the “Battle of the Bridge.”
He also says he has struggled with letting emotions get the best of him during a game, but the cure is quite simple. Assistant Coach CJ Jipson “is a voice on the bench that helps calm me down,” he said.
Being an “Eddie” means “hard work and passion for whatever you are doing” he said, in addition to supporting other teams’ success and encouraging them in defeat.
Though not yet solidified, his general plans call for majoring in business and sales as well as playing college ball and “making an immediate impact on a team.” John this year reached the 1,000 career-point benchmark, as well as the second highest scorer in the history of the school. Additionally, at the end of the North AA regional final game, he was named MVP of the tournament, receiving the George Vinall Award for “outstanding play and sportsmanship.”
“We are so proud of him,” Bridget said. “He has worked so hard throughout his high school career, and this just kind of helps complete the high school journey.”
John was also named Player of the Year for Class AA North.
Editor’s note: This article appeared in print earlier this month in the March Auburn Highlights.
