FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Preseason basketball is right around the corner, and what better way to kick off the annual rite of winter than to have the defending state Class D girls basketball champions hosting an invitational tournament.
The third annual Fort Fairfield Preseason Invitational tips off Friday, Dec. 3 and continues Saturday, Dec. 4 with 12 games slated. The tourney features teams from Limestone-MSSM, Greater Houlton Christian, Easton and Fort Kent joining the host Tigers.
“We are looking forward to two great days of basketball to kick off the new season,” Fort Fairfield girls basketball coach Larry Gardner said.
The cost of admission for Friday is $4 for adults and $2 for student. Saturday’s cost of admission is $5 for adults and $3 students. Concessions will also be sold. The schedule for games is listed below.
Friday, Dec. 3 — Limestone-MSSM girls vs. Easton, 3:30 p.m.; Limestone-MSSM boys vs. Greater Houlton Christian, 4:45 p.m.; Fort Fairfield girls vs. Fort Kent, 6 p.m.; and Fort Fairfield boys vs. Fort Kent at 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 4 — Fort Fairfield girls vs. Easton, 10 a.m.; Fort Fairfield boys vs. Greater Houlton Christian, 11:15 a.m.; Fort Kent girls vs. Limestone-MSSM, 12:30 p.m.; Fort Kent boys vs. Limestone-MSSM, 1:45; Easton girls vs. Fort Kent, 3:30 p.m.; Greater Houlton Christian boys vs. Fort Kent, 4:45 p.m.; Fort Fairfield girls vs. Limestone-MSSM, 6 p.m.; and Fort Fairfield boys vs. Limestone-MSSM, 7:15 p.m.
Other pre-season action
Central Aroostook of Mars Hill will host a pre-season tourney on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4 featuring boys teams from Ashland, Washburn and Easton. On Friday, Dec. 3, the Ashland boys face Washburn at 5:30 p.m. followed by CAHS vs. Easton at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 4, the Easton boys play Ashland at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Washburn boys vs. CAHS at 7 p.m.
The cost of admission is $4 for adults and $2 for students. Concessions will be available.
Washburn will hold a two-day tourney as well as a girls event is slated for Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 6-7. On Monday, Dec. 6, the CAHS girls face Ashland at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Washburn girls vs. Madawaska at 7 p.m. On Tuesday, Dec. 7, CAHS plays Madawaska at 5:30 p.m. followed by Washburn vs. Ashland at 7 p.m. At the conclusion of the tourney, an all-star team will be selected.
The cost of admission is $3 for adults and $2 for students.
“This tournament is a shared event with Central Aroostook going back 20 years,” Washburn Athletic Director Ron Ericson said. “It was started by Joe Shaw and Larry Hallowell.”
The Caribou Vikings will hold preseason scrimmages on Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 4. On Friday, Dec. 3, the Viking girls play Carleton-North (Bristol, N.B.) at 6 p.m., while the boys face Winslow at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 4, the Viking girls face Waterville at 11 a.m., followed by the boys versus Waterville at 12:30 p.m.
