CARIBOU — The Northern Regional Finals of the Maine Recreation and Park Association and Maine Red Claws Hotshot Basketball Competition were held at the Caribou Wellness Center Feb. 23.
The Hotshot competition is a basketball skills competition for youth ages 9-15 years of age and involves shooting from five “hot spots” marked on one end of a basketball court. The competition tests each contestant’s speed, shooting, dribbling and rebounding ability.
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| Contributed photo Ages 11-12 Hotshot regional winners are, in front from left, Brianna Thibeault of Madawaska, Amber Chasse of Ashland and Kaylyn Krul of Caribou. Back row, Malcolm Langner, Dawson Watson and Dylan Dufour, all of Fort Fairfield. |
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| Contributed photo Ages 9-10 Hotshot regional winners are, in front from left, Nicholas Stetson of Mars Hill, Grayden Griffeth of Fort Fairfield and Ethan Cassidy of Fort Fairfield. Back row, Brianne Levasseur of Fort Fairfield, Madison Stratton of Caribou and Brittany Hagan of Houlton. |
Kathy Mazzuchelli, superintendent of the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department and director of the Northern Regional Finals, noted that the actual Hotshot competition has been going on for over 30 years. Originally the competition was sponsored by the NBA and local sponsors and winners at the state level were able to travel to different parts of the country each year to compete in the national finals.
Once the NBA dropped sponsorship, the Maine Recreation and Park Association chose to retain the competition and is pleased to have the Maine Red Claws as a partner promoting solid sports fundamentals through the Hotshot program.
This year the top three finalists from Aroostook County will travel to the Portland Expo, home of the Maine Red Claws, to compete in the State Hotshot Competition on Sunday, March 10. Participants will also be invited to stay for a Maine Red Claws game later that afternoon.
In 9-10 girls, Brittany Hagan of Houlton, who captured the top three-round score in the regional competition; runner-up Madison Stratton of Caribou and third-place finisher Brenna Levasseur of Fort Fairfield.
In 9-10 boys, Grayden Griffeth of Fort Fairfield, who placed first, followed by Ethan Cassidy also of Fort Fairfield and Nicholas Stetson of Mars Hill.
In 11-12 girls, Kaylyn Krul of Caribou took top honors, followed by Brianne Thibeault of Madawaska and Amber Chasse of Ashland.
In 11-12 boys, a trio of Fort Fairfield boys captured all three slots with Dawson Watson taking first followed by Dylan Dufour and Malcolm Langner.
In 13-15 girls, Caribou’s Maddie Doucette and Jenna Boucher battled to a first-place tie, which led to a shoot-off. When the dust settled and the shoot off round scores were totaled, Doucette captured the top slot, followed by Boucher. The third-place slot was claimed by Desiree Belanger of Madawaska.
In 13-15 boys, Ryan Player of Fort Fairfield topped the division, while Isaac Cyr, also of Fort Fairfield was second and Noah Rosado of Caribou rounded out the top three.
Although 16-18 year olds are not allowed to advance at the state level, the Northern Maine Community Recreation Association agreed to allow for a 16-18 year-old division which was won by Ashley Hersey of Easton. Second place went to Jordi Lagassie of Presque Isle.
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| Contributed photo Ages 13-15 boys’ Hotshot regional winners are, in front from left, Ryan Player of Fort Fairfield, Isaac Cyr of Fort Fairfield and Noah Rosado of Caribou. |
Contributed photo Ages 13-15 girls’ Hotshot regional winners are, in front from left, Desiree Belanger of Madawaska, Jenna Boucher of Caribou and Maddie Doucette of Caribou. |
