The 2014 Invitational Basketball Tournament was held on March 28, 29 and 30 at Mountain Valley Middle School and Dirigo High School. Dirigo was gracious and accommodating to allow games to take place on its court.

The Dirigo Boosters were also supportive in providing concessions, with Dirigo baseball coach Ryan Palmer and assistant basketball and baseball coach Gary Holman overseeing the gym throughout the weekend. The Greater Rumford Community Center provided concessions at MVMS and the MV Athletic Boosters oversaw the gym.

Eighteen men’s teams competed over the weekend — 10 A division and 8 B division squads. It was the most attended tournament to date.

Coach Bill Simpson directed perennial champions Class Acts of Portland to a Class A division victory. Class Acts was led by MVP Matt Clement and all-stars Drew Coppenrath and Jarod Rivers.

Second-place went to Emerson Toyota of Auburn/Lewiston — a team comprised of many current Bates College players. The team was led by former Mountain Valley star Cam Kaubris and featured all-stars Graham Safford and Mike Boornizian. The final game was a close contest with Class Acts hanging on for an exciting 78-70 victory. Third-place Dixfield, which was led by Dirigo’s Cody St Germain and featured Dirigo coach Travis Magneson and Europe/Canadian professional Ryan Martin of Maranacook fame, turned in a fine performance.

Amici, made up of University of Southern players, was led by Telstar standout Sean Caddigan. Skowhegan was led by longtime captain Derek Holt, MVRBL champs Ranor Mechanical and captain Aaron St Pierre. TBO and captains Pat Dempsey and Nick Pelotte; Laid Back Installers of Mexico, with coach Rodney Canwell and captain Brian Canwell; KC Auto of Lewiston and coach Kevin Blazer and The Crew from Lewiston/Auburn and leader Keith Danner, all got into the act.

The B division was competitive with many former A division players and longtime basketball stars competing in the event. Shooters of Auburn/Lewiston beat Bath’s Injured Reserves, 73-57. Shooters featured coach Heath Crocker, MVP Josh Berard and all-stars Cam Angel and Justin Perron. Injured Reserves featured captain and all-star Brian Wagg and all-star Zak Reed. Other B division teams were: Southern Maine’s Urban Achievers led by Dan Finney; MVRBL’s Tommy Guns of Mexico with captain Tim Turner; MVRBL’s Bethel and captain Ryan Kimball; Chapter 11 Furniture of Lewiston with captain Joe Gaudreau; Franklin County Boys of Strong/Phillips with veteran and longest standing player participant Rand Richards, who played in the first tournament in 1983 and MVRBL’s Neptune General Contracting with owner Tom Leclerc and captain Glen Dubois.

The tournament raised $7,000. After covering expenses, the money will be used to support local recreational programs and organizations and The Mountain Valley Athletic Boosters. The tournament is grateful to volunteers who kept the book and clock, Mark Pare, referee organizer, and a host of referees who worked at a discount rate, and Kevin Gallant, who managed the website, mvrbl.webs.com. We hope to hold a women’s and senior division next year .

For information on the tournament, MV Rec Basketball League or annual ad/sponsors, which are on the website along with a gym banner at MVHS, please contact league commissioner and tournament organizer Eddie Paterson, epaterson2@roadrunner.com or 207-364-9352.