AUBURN — Born into basketball, probably dribbling and shooting one before he learned to tie the sneakers that were part of the required uniform, Bo Leary thought he knew what Edward Little High School’s version of the game was all about.

Then the bell rang one late-August morning in 2007.

“I think I realized it the first time I ever walked into the school,” Leary said. “The very first day my freshman year, my cousin Kyle (Philbrook) saw me in the hallway and yelled out, ‘Hey, Bowen, we’re lifting after school.’ I was like, ‘Oh, me too?’ Right away, I saw what the expectations were.”

From follower to leader to history-maker, Leary’s career followed a fast track and came full circle.

Holding the highest profile of eight seniors, Leary created the expectations at the EL this season. The Red Eddies followed his example and earned a historic fourth consecutive appearance in the Eastern Class A championship game.

Previously named KVAC North’s top player and one of three finalists for Maine Mr. Basketball, Leary can add another line to his list of senior superlatives. He is the Sun Journal All-Region Player of the Year.

“I can’t say that I expected this much success individually or as a team,” Leary said. “Growing up I’d never really seen Edward Little have that much success in the playoffs.”

Twice in Leary’s childhood, he watched EL celebrate an undefeated regular season, only to see the Eddies eliminated in the quarterfinals.

He was an eighth-grader when older brother Cam played on a KVAC championship team that won 19 straight games before Hampden broke its heart in the playoffs.

EL hasn’t missed a regional final since. Leary wore a uniform in that game all four years, something that hadn’t been accomplished since Caribou advanced to the final every season from 1980 to ’83.

As a sophomore and junior, Leary helped EL win the Eastern Maine championship. Leary’s game grew by a giant leap last season, when he was named tournament MVP.

Fueled by close losses to Thornton (54-52) and Cheverus (55-50) in back-to-back state finals, Leary bulked up in the off-season for his new role as the Eddies’ center.

Despite being the target of constant double-teams and the focal point of every opponent’s defensive game plan, Leary averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds per game.

“I worked a lot on the strength part. I knew I was going to have to get a lot stronger,” Leary said. “You can’t really prepare for (the pounding). You just have to face it.”

The 6-foot-4 Leary saw some action as the Eddies’ big man during his junior year, while cousin James Philbrook nursed a toe injury.

His natural high school position probably was power forward. In college — Leary still hasn’t decided if he will play at the next level — most men of his stature play small forward or even shooting guard.

“I did a lot of the same things this year as I had in the past. I knew I had to develop more of an outside shot,” Leary said. “I think I did that as the season went along. I hit a lot more 3s this year.”

And with Leary often blanketed in the low post, so did his teammates.

Fellow all-region performer Timmy Mains, Cody Nicholas, Brandon Giguere and sophomore sibling Quin Leary all took advantage of frequent open jump shots and clear lanes to the basket.

EL went 17-1 during the regular season, losing only at Hampden.

Seeded No. 3 in the Eastern Class A bracket, the Eddies defeated Mt. Ararat for a third time in the quarterfinals before repaying Hampden, 70-65, in a sensational semifinal.

A sectional championship contest twice delayed by snowstorms went down to the final seconds before Bangor escaped with a 41-38 victory.

“We didn’t have those pre-game nerves that we had in the past. All five starters had played in a lot of varsity games,” Leary said. “It was definitely one of the (most fun) seasons. Everybody on the team, we’re friends. We hung out at (senior) Cam Bradbury’s house every day. We still do even now that the season is over. It was a really close team.”

Leary was the leader of that pack, but when he wasn’t busy attacking the basket or dominating the paint, there were no outward signs of it.

He isn’t a fist-pumper, a chest-bumper or a walking sound bite.

“All the seniors on the team shared the leadership at times. Different people lead in different ways. Some people lead by example and others lead by communication,” said Leary, pointing to two of his predecessors as an EL captain. “Yusuf (Iman) wasn’t the same style of leader that Corey (Therriault) was. Yusuf was a lot more vocal. I’m more the type to lead by example. I’m not the loudest person out there. I talk when we’re on defense and that’s about it.”

Starting next year, Leary might do most of his talking in the classroom. Basketball likely wouldn’t be an option at some of the colleges and universities on his short list.

Seven Red Eddies have played in Divisions I, II and III over the last four years.

“I’m still waiting to hear back from a couple of schools and see about financial aid,” he said. “I really haven’t decided yet. Being down south sounds good to me, but sometimes it’s nice to be close to home.”

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Sun Journal All-Region Team

Boys’ Basketball

First team

Mike Armstrong, Livermore Falls, Sr. C

Adam Jensen, Gray-New Gloucester, Sr. G

Cam Kaubris, Mountain Valley, Sr. G

Bo Leary, Edward Little, Sr. F/C

Cam Sennick, Mt. Blue, Jr. F

Second team

Eric Berry, Mt. Blue, Sr, G

Jordan Hersom, Leavitt, Jr. F

Timmy Mains, Edward Little, Sr. G

Cody St. Germain, Dirigo, Sr. C

Tim Whitmore, Monmouth, Sr. G

Third team

Roger Bachelder, Monmouth, Sr. C

Kurt Johnson, St. Dom’s, Sr. G

Cam Morin, Oak Hill, Sr. G

Jack Peters, Elan, Sr. G

Kyle Storer, Jay, Sr. C

Daniel Vaughn, Telstar, Sr. G/F