AREA — Hotel Rumford continued its undefeated season through 2023, bringing in the new year with a victory over Clean Cut Painting (2-3), in their typical ball control, low turnover, defensive style, 71-63 at MVHS. Owen Jones hit for 19 points (4 threes) to direct the winners. Zach New added 14 points and JT Taylor, 12 more. Will Bean was again the top scorer for Clean Cut with 24 points, while Jevin Smith had 11, and Pat Connery and Ryan Kimball had 10 more each.  

In the previous game, A & G Custom Builders (4-1) pounded Sticks n Stones (0-5), 123-50. With lots of scoring, Hunter Meeks hit for 36 points, Meteo Lapointe, 34 (6 threes), Keegan Pitcher, 22, Kalen Chase, 15, and Joe Gaudreau with 12 (4 threes). S n S’s top men were Cody Dolloff with 17 points (3 threes) and Jamie Downs with 13.

At MVMS, Mt Blue (4-1) stayed tied for second place when they outlasted Dixfield (1-4), 79-72. Cam Sennick handed the middle for the winners and scored 18 points, while Jake Farnum had 15 (3 threes), Eric Berry 13 and Kindle Bonsall 10. Jake Bessey paced Dixfield with 23 points, Arick Richard added 13, and Glen Dubois and Cooper Chaisson had 10 each.

In the final game, Smart Care PT, Inc (2-3) was too much for Jay (2-3) defeating them, 96-71. Cody St Germain led his team with 30 points, Trent Hutchinson scored 19 (3 threes), Jeremy St Germain was next with 18 (4 threes) and Austin Adams hit 4 threes, 12 points. Zane Armandi got hot in the second half and was Jay’s top scorer, 22 points (6 threes). Lucus Bellanceau had a strong game with 20 more, while Jake Turner contributed 11.