BY TRAVIS LAZARCZYK

Staff Writer

Ben Russell could barely stand during his last game in a Mt. Blue uniform.

A few days before the Cougars' Eastern Class A semifinal game against Lawrence, Russell came down with the flu. He couldn't get out of bed, but the night before the game he was finally able to eat a meal.

During the game, Russell couldn't find his strength. He couldn't get his legs under his shot, and the Cougars leading scorer finished with one point in the loss. At times during the game, Russell was doubled over on the court, or on the bench, trying to catch his breath. Somebody asked, did he ever consider not dressing for the game?

"It didn't even occur to me," Russell said.

Nowhere near 100 percent, Russell felt he had to try to lift his team.

"In many ways that's the best game he ever played," Mt. Blue head coach Jim Bessey said. "He brings to the table the qualities of a winner."

Already named the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference North Division Player of the Year and a participant in the McDonald's All Star Game, Russell is the Morning Sentinel Boys Basketball Player of the Year.