It’s almost showtime.

The Varsity Maine Awards — the high-energy show celebrating the best in high school athletics from across the state — will be held Tuesday, June 26 at Hannaford Hall on the University of Southern Maine’s campus in Portland.

And we are proud to announce the finalists in the award categories. They represent 33 high schools ranging from Houlton to South Berwick.

“It’s wonderful to see this sort of event to give credit to the athletes in Maine,” said former Gorham High soccer standout Jackson Fotter, one of the winners at the 2017 Varsity Maine Awards.

Austin Lufkin of Brewer and Lily Posternak of York were the Varsity Maine male and female athletes of the year last year.

Last year’s show attracted nearly 500 people, bringing together athletes, their families, coaches and school administrators. And this year’s event promises to be just as exciting. Winners will be announced onstage and all finalists will be recognized for their achievements. For tickets and more information, go to varsitymaine.com/vmea.

The Varsity Maine Awards, now in their third year, are hosted by the Portland Press Herald, Kennebec Journal, Morning Sentinel, Sun Journal and The Forecaster. Finalists were selected by sports editors at these newspapers and the winners selected by a panel of judges featuring esteemed coaches/educators Gary Fifield, Rick Clark and Katie Thompson.

Here are the finalists in 11 of the 12 award categories. We’ll announce finalists for the last category — Spring Team of the Year — on June 19.

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Kolleen Bouchard, Houlton; Anna DeWolfe, Greely; Emma Gallant, Cheverus; Juliana Sesler, South Portland; Ally Turner, Messalonskee.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Jarett Flaker, Scarborough; Ryan Fredette, Winslow; Grant Hartley, Edward Little; Terion Moss, Portland; Cayden Spencer-Thompson, Mattanawcook Academy.

COACH OF THE YEAR (BOYS’ TEAM)

Mike Adams, Edward Little; Jamie Belleau, Lewiston; Garrett Martin, Lincoln Academy; Matt Rix, Marshwood; Mike Rutherford, Portland.

COACH OF THE YEAR (GIRLS’ TEAM)

Annie Barker, Kennebunk; Chris Cifelli, Edward Little; Paula Doughty, Skowhegan; Tom Griffin, Scarborough; Bob Morse, Yarmouth.

THE FAB FRESHMAN

Emily Archibald, Kennebunk; Camille Clement, Greely; Ryan Friend, MCI; Sofie Matson, Falmouth; Rylee Sevigny, Mountain Valley.

FEMALE ACADEMIC ACE

Jess Brown, Portland; Morgan Fenderson, Lisbon; Michaela Jordan, Cheverus; Hallie Schwartzman, Kennebunk; Erin Venard, Mt. Ararat.

MALE ACADEMIC ACE

Austin Baron, Ellsworth; Jack Bryant, Falmouth; William Carrolton, Morse; Joshua Roberts, Thornton Academy; Cole Smith, Messalonskee.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

Kolton Brochu, Gardiner; Jerome Criado, Biddeford; Cam King, Portland; Mackenzie Johnston, Cheverus; Jake Warn, Winslow.

FALL TEAM OF THE YEAR

Camden Hills girls’ soccer; Cape Elizabeth volleyball; Scarborough football; St. Dominic field hockey; Yarmouth girls’ soccer.

WINTER TEAM OF THE YEAR

Cony girls’ swimming; Edward Little boys’ basketball; Edward Little girls’ basketball; Greely girls’ hockey; Marshwood wrestling.

VIDEO CLIP OF THE YEAR

Biddeford boys’ basketball playoff buzzer-beater; Madison Post’s anchor leg for Gray-New Gloucester at WMC indoor track meet; MCI scores touchdown from wildcat formation at state title game; Westbrook field hockey wins in overtime; Windham’s Mike Gilman hits go-ahead basket in playoff upset of Portland.