RUMFORD – The Mountain Valley Recreational Basketball League will again sponsor its ninth-annual men’s invitational basketball tournament to benefit The American Lung Association of Maine. Tournament dates are March 28-30.

The 16-team tournament will have two divisions, A and B. ‘A’ division is designed for the more competitive and skilled teams. ‘B’ division will consist of recreational or veteran teams. All games will be played at Mountain Valley High School or Mountain Valley Middle School.

Entry fee is $350 paid in advance. Each team will complete in a three-game round robin format followed by a playoff round of the top four teams in each division on Sunday, March 30. League officials and scorekeepers will be provided. Games consist of two 20-minute running halves, with stopped time the last two minutes of each half.

There will be shooting contests for three throws and 3-pointers and a slam dunk contest. Awards will be presented after the championship games on Sunday.

This tournament is the successor of the original Mike’s Sports Pub ‘N’ Grub, now Sarge’s Sports Pub ‘N’ Grub Tournament, which took place in Rangeley through the 1980’s and 1990’s. It was brought to the Rumford/Mexico area in 2005 to accommodate for the expansion of the tournament and gym availability.

Last year’s event raised $3300.00 for ALAM and The Bike Trek Across Maine. That amount has increased consistently throughout the years, with this year’s goal set at $4,000.

Winners of last year’s A division, V-Tec of South Portland, won’t be able to attend this year due to a previous commitment. They already have plans on returning next year, according to team captain and sponsor Scot Sanfino.

The B division went to Reunited of Kennebunk, who has won several times in the last few years. Team captain Mike Wentworth indicated that although they won’t be back together, there are plans for some of the players to form another team to compete in this year’s event.

For more information, please contact MVRBL commissioner and tournament organizer Eddie Paterson at New England Financial, P.O. Box C, Rumford, Maine 04276. You also may call 364-9352 or e-mail ehpnef@exploremaine.com.