BIDDEFORD, Maine — The Northern Maine Freeze, a travel basketball team of fifth-graders comprised of players from Houlton, Bangor and Old Town, captured the New England Championship this past weekend.
With that victory, the group now has the opportunity to compete in the national tournament in Boston, June 2-4.
The Freeze went undefeated on the weekend, beating the Firecrackers of Portland area Sunday in the championship game, 19-17, at Biddeford High School. The Freeze defeated Maine Maniacs of Topsham, 28-6, and bested YES! of Portland, 45-13, in games played Saturday at Southern Maine Community College.
The Freeze then beat C4-Moore of Nashua, New Hampshire, 44-21, in the semifinals Sunday.
Members of the team include Gabby Gentle, Kaitlyn Kenney and Amelia Callnan of Houlton; Makayla Emerson, Gabby Cody, Saige Evans of Old Town; Lily Chandler and Amelia Quinn of Bangor. The team is coached by Betsy Evans and Al Emerson, both of Old Town.
