By Pat McDonald
Sports Editor

KENNEBUNK — If you have been paying attention to the Kennebunk High School boys’ basketball program over the past four years, you will certainly know the name Cam Lovejoy.
Lovejoy has been playing varsity since his freshman year and has been racking up impressive stats since his first days with the Rams.

The senior standout reached an important milestone on Monday, Jan. 21 when he scored his 1,000th career point in a double-overtime loss to Bonny Eagle.
Lovejoy, who has helped lead the Rams to a 10-4 record (through games of Jan. 28), spoke with me following a recent game.

Here is the complete interview:

PM: What was the moment like when you got your 1,000th point?
CL: Honestly, when I made the shot I didn’t even know I got it. But when I found out I got it, I don’t know, I was kind of relieved. I’ve been playing for four years and I had been hearing people talk about it for the past two weeks. It was relieving to get it because of all the hard work I’ve done since I was a little kid.

PM: You got it on a 3-pointer in a close game. Did that make it more special?
CL: I tied (the game) in the fourth quarter. It was definitely a lot better (than getting it in a blowout). I’m not happy it was away, but I was happy it was in a close game and it was good for my team.

PM: Your freshman year you had guys like Zach MacKinnon (now playing at Thomas College) as leaders of the team. What did you learn in that first season?
CL: I learned more than anybody has probably ever learned in one year of basketball. I learned how to be a leader. I learned how to be a facilitator. I learned how to be a scorer. I learned every single role that I could have learned in basketball. I honestly could not thank those seniors enough — and even the juniors at the time. They were all great leaders.

PM: What’s the relationship like between the core group of players like Tripp Bush, Zack Sullivan, Kyle Pasieniuk, Max Murray and yourself?
CL: It’s a close bond. The first year was kind of iffy because we were just getting to know each other, but I’d say last year was probably the turning point for us when we went on that 10-game win streak. We learned a lot about each other and we have a great energy inside the locker room. We just love each other.

PM: Have you grown close to first-year head coach Dave Leal this season?
CL: Definitely. It’s been a short time, but he’s a likable guy and he knows what he’s talking about. He has really helped us out. The kids all love him … he’s a funny guy, too.

PM: Joining the 1,000-point club is special for any player, but not a lot of players will also be their school’s all-time assist leader. How important is that to you?
CL: Honestly, it’s very nice. It shows colleges that I’m not just a scorer and I can (create) open shots for everybody else. It’s really nice.

PM: What are the goals for the rest of this season?
CL: Make the tournament, obviously, which I think we’re in. These next games we’ve got to play as hard as we can so when we get into the tournament we’re playing our best basketball. We just really want to get into the (Cross Insurance Arena) because we feel like with the lights on we’re going to do really well.

Kennebunk’s Cam Lovejoy and his family were joined by head coach Dave Leal, left, before last Friday’s game against Scarborough when Lovejoy was recognized for scoring his 1,000th career point. (Pat McDonald photo)