RUMFORD/MEXICO — The Mountain Valley Recreational Basketball League hosted its 10th annual invitational tournament March 25 to 27, raising approximately $5,500 for the Mountain Valley Athletic Boosters.

There were 14 total teams, with games played at Mountain Valley High School and Mountain Valley Middle School.

 “This was our best tournament ever,”organizer Eddie Paterson said. “It was by far the most competitive in both divisions, and several of the games went right down to the wire. The top teams competing in the ‘A’ are comparable to Division III college teams.”

The ‘A’ division is designed for more competitive and skilled teams. ‘B’ is recreational or veteran teams.

Class Acts of Portland won the ‘A’ division. Leading the way were team owner Bill Simpson and players Matt Clement, Brian Wohl and former Mountain Valley and University of Maine star Andy Bedard.

Acts beat Liberty Mutual, 65-54, in the final. Top players for Liberty were Rumford natives Shawn Spadea and Andy Shorey and Kinsey Durgin of Bethel.

Urban Acheivers won the ‘B’ title with an 88-82, triple-overtime triumph over Shooters of Auburn. Heath Crocker, Deon Cheers and Dave Berry led the charge for Shooters.

The tournament was founded by Mike DeRaps in Rangeley approximately 25 years ago. Paterson relocated it to the River Valley, where the event has continued to flourish.

“Several teams return year after year,”Paterson said. “As far as the fundraising, it represents a majority of the (athletic boosters) annual operation costs. I have some ideas to increase participation, and I believe it will continue to grow.” 

All-tourney teams were named.

In the ‘A’ Division, that group included former Bates player Rob Stockwell of Agren Appliance; Durgin, who played professionally in Europe, and Shorey; and Wohl, Bedard and Clement. 

Among the ‘B’ all-stars were Cheers and Jon Cadman (Shooters) and Scott Craig and MVP Jesse Robbins of Urban Achievers.

In the free-throw shooting championship; Kevin Gallant of Rumford hit 22-of-25,only to be outdone by Wohl’s perfect score.

Durgin won 3-point shooting championhip. Clement, who had a brief stint with the Maine Red Claws, claimed the dunking contest.

Referees were Dave Verrier, Jim Ladd, Mark Pere, J.T. Taylor, Chris Gorham, Steve Lapointe, Rich Allen, Aaron Cummings and Paterson. Scorekeepers were Pam Kaubris, Delaney Paterson, Jeremy Myles, Ryan Palmer, Dave Radcliff, Bre Roberts, McKenzie Paterson and Rodney Leach. The team of Matt Kaubris, Pam Kaubris, Tim Giasson and Cameron Kaubris, who filmed and commentated on games for public access local channel 7.

Paterson also recognized MV Athletic Boosters and Boosters President Leanne Virgin. Sponsors included Franklin Savings Bank, Oxford Federal Credit Union, River Valley Chiropractic, New England Financial, Andover Automotive/Rumford Auto Sales, Big Daddy’s Buff and Wax, Murphy Accounting, Nicols Brothers Logging, Carlisle’s, Bangor Savings Bank, Puiia Lumber, Maine Press, Ink Plaza, Laid Back Installers, White’s Yardworks, Done Right Carpentry, Davis Florist, Area Youth Football League, River Valley Grill, E&E Awards, Ranor Incorporated, Wal-Mart and Brian’s Bistro.