GORHAM – On Sunday, Jan. 29, Maine’s longest-running, continuous three-on-three benefit basketball tournament will again take place at the University of Southern Maine. The 18th annual Dr. Noel Paradise Memorial Swish-Out and Junior Swish-Out Childhood Cancer Challenge is currently seeking teams to participate.

Coordinated by Maine’s credit unions, teams of businesses, friends and family or any other connection are invited to participate in the event which benefits the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. Since MCCP treats children and families from Maine and New Hampshire, teams come from both states to participate.

The tournament is a three-on-three, co-ed, double-elimination event and is open to adults 18 or older. The entry fee remains $100 per team and all funds raised go directly to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. Since it began in 1994, more than $200,000 has been raised through the event.

This year’s event also features the second annual Junior Swish-Out, open to middle school students in grades six to eight. The Junior Swish-Out format is similar to the adult tournament with a three-on-three, co-ed format. The Junior Swish-Out is limited to the first 12 teams to enter and the entry fee is $75 per team. In addition, there are again two divisions for the Adult Swish-Out Tournament with a 28 team ‘Just For Fun’ Division and an Elite 8 Division that is by invitation only once a team has registered.

“We are really pleased with the changes we have made in the past couple of years to increase participation and get youth involved,” said Jon Paradise, governmental and public affairs manager for the Maine Credit Union League and the founder of the event. “Adding a middle school division is something we had been asked about for a number of years and last year’s inaugural event was well-received. Having two divisions for the adult teams made for a much more equal level of play for everyone, and helped with the overall flow of the event.”

This year’s event is once again coordinated by the Maine Credit Union League and Maine’s credit unions.

Teams in all divisions may be of any size with the only stipulation being that a member of the opposite sex is on the court at all times. Participants receive a prize just for playing and T-shirts. Plaques are awarded to the top and there is also a silent auction held in conjunction with the event. Space is limited.

For an entry form, sponsorship information and/or for more information, contact Jon Paradise at the Maine Credit Union League at 773-5671, ext. 273, or email [email protected]. Entry forms may be downloaded at www.mainecul.org.

In addition to playing, there a few remaining sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorships start as low as $150, which also goes directly to the program, said Paradise.