Local boys teams compete in hoop tourney

Photograph courtesy of Isaac Brown
WATCHING — Seth Brown, left, of Houlton White, gets a shot off as Dyer Brook players turn to rebound during last weekend’s Houlton Shire Invitational Tournament for 5-6 grade boys played at the Houlton Recreational Department.
    The Houlton Shire Invitational Tournament for 5-6 grade boys was played last weekend despite the snowstorm that arrived on Friday afternoon.
    In the first game on April 1, Houlton Black picked up a 52-5 win over Greater Houlton Christian Academy.
    On Saturday, Houlton White started the action against Greater Houlton Christian Academy, with the White team wining 55-24. That game was followed with Houlton Black defeating Dyer Brook, 62-36 and Fort Fairfield pulled out a 54-46 win over Caribou.
    In the next set of games, Dexter edged Presque Isle, 42-40; Dyer Brook toppled Greater Houlton Christian Academy, 60-20 and Dexter outlasted Caribou, 43-41. In the next game, Fort Fairfield picked up a 44-34 win over Presque Isle, followed by Houlton Black defeating Houlton White, 52-20, while Fort Fairfield overtook Dexter, 57-52. Finishing the night’s games, Presque Isle overcame Caribou, 47-41 and Dyer Brook handed Houlton White a 47-43 loss.
    The tournament consisted of two divisions, Black and White. Records of Saturday’s contests set up the Sunday playoffs.
    In the Black Division, Houlton Black was 3-0; Dyer Brook, 2-1; Houlton White, 1-2 and Greater Houlton Christian Academy, 0-3.
    In the White Division, Fort Fairfield was 3-0; Dexter, 2-1; Presque Isle, 1-2 and Caribou, 0-3.
    In the first playoff game, Caribou overpowered Houlton Black, 54-34, with Houlton Black eliminated. In the second game, Dexter routed Houlton White, 60-27 and Houlton White was eliminated. In the third playoff game, Fort Fairfield took a 69-15 win over Greater Houlton Christian Academy, which was eliminated and game four found Presque Isle overtaking Dyer Brook, 56-39, as Dyer Brook was eliminated.
Photograph courtesy of Isaac Brown
DRIBBLING — Zach Quint of Houlton White, left, dribbles the ball down the sideline against Dyer Brook.
    In the fifth game, Caribou edged Dexter, 41-40 and in game six, Presque Isle topped Fort Fairfield, 48-33.
    In the championship contest, Presque Isle narrowly defeated Caribou, 37-34, while Fort Fairfield ended up placing third as they toppled Dexter, who finished fourth, 55-50.
    The remaining teams ended in the following order: fifth, Houlton Black; sixth, Dyer Brook; seventh, Houlton White and eighth, Greater Houlton Christian Academy.
    “It was a great weekend, despite the snowstorm on Friday night,” said Paul Cleary, coach of Houlton Black and tourney organizer. “The tourney was a huge success.”
    All proceeds from the tournament will be put toward helping with costs of future tournaments, AYBL costs and sending kids to basketball camp. 
    “Thank you to all of the volunteers, our sponsors and to everyone who made this weekend a success,” Cleary said.