A familiar face to the Mt. Abram community, Jordan Norton is now a new junior varsity basketball coach for the Lady Roadrunners. (David Hart photo) SALEM TOWNSHIP -- One of the fan favorites back in 2006, Jordan Norton use to light up the boards as a Mt. Abram senior as a member of the Roadrunner basketball team.

Norton is glad to be back at the Runnerdome in Salem, now as a coach of the girl's junior varsity basketball team.

"I love the game," Norton explained, "and I realized I can help young players become better players and individuals. I can't help myself get better anymore … so by helping others, the passion that was once there is rekindling."

Norton said his dream is to someday become a college basketball coach, but realizes that it's a process to get there. He said he's trying to learn as much as he can throughout the journey.

Norton said that one of his key core values as a coach is to "work hard" everyday and explained that young athletes will constantly come across competition that is more skilled. "Consistently working hard and persever ance can vastly move them up the ladder of success," he said.

Norton said one of his goals this season was to improve the girls' skills and knowledge of the game. "Thus," Norton explained, "next year they can contribute to the varsity level and instill the hard work that is needed so it becomes a good habit."

Norton explained that winning games at the junior varsity level is not high on his priority list. "It's about the girls improving and having fun while enjoying the game of basketball," he said.

When not on the floors of the basketball courts, Norton is pursuing a criminal justice degree at Central Maine Community College.

Norton was also the Mt. Abram junior varsity baseball coach last spring and also has a great passion for the game of baseball. In 2006, he was a senior pitcher for the Roadrunners' baseball team.

"I really enjoy both sports and teaching the skills necessary to perform at the athlete's highest level," Norton explained.

In basketball, Norton demonstrated his appreciation for his dad, Rick. "Growing up," he added, "while watching a basketball game on TV, my dad would break down every play to show me the little fundamentals that made me a better player as well as have greater knowledge from a coach's standpoint."

Norton's team's season kicks off this week with high school basketball games now underway.