PORTLAND — The Maine Red Claws and the Maine McDonald’s owner/operator association has launched a new Team of the Year Award program that will honor two Maine high school varsity basketball teams — one boys and one girls.

The winning teams each will receive $1,000 for their schools’ basketball programs. They will be honored at the Maine McDonald’s All-Star Games on March 12 at Husson University in Bangor and at a Red Claws game in March.

The announcement was made by representatives from the Maine Red Claws, Maine McDonald’s and Maine Association of Basketball Coaches (MABC) prior to the Red Claws game at the Portland Expo on Dec. 30.

Nominations for the Team of the Year award are being sought and high school basketball coaches throughout the state are encouraged to make strides with their varsity teams to be in contention for this new award. In February, a committee comprised of representatives from McDonald’s of Maine, Maine Red Claws, and the MABC will review the nominations and select the teams.

Teams will be chosen based on their exceptional impact on Maine High School Basketball and in the lives of others through contribution to community, sportsmanship, team competitiveness and spirit and commitment to academic excellence.

Coaches, parents, principals, community organizations, athletic director, and anyone who knows of a Maine Varsity High School Basketball Team meeting the criteria are encouraged to submit a nomination form. Nomination forms are available at mainemcdonaldsbasketball.org/teamoftheyear. Submissions may be done electronically or printed and completed manually. Completed nomination forms must be received by Feb. 16.