All sports enthusiasts are welcome and this special event is available for the public to attend and to be part of a great community event. The players of the League encourage the public to attend these all star events that will feature three separate segments of basketball skills, such as the Pizza Hut and Walmart 3-Point Shoot-Out competition; the Daigle Oil Company and Donahue’s Masonry Free Throw contest, and the much anticipated Dead River Company Men’s League All Star game that will highlight 12 players from both the Houlton’s Men’s League and the Calais Men’s League programs, that will face off head-to-head in a 48-minute regulation game.
Last year, the inaugural game was won by the Washington County Men’s League All-Stars, 108-105. Houlton Men’s League All-Star squad will be coached by Jere Humphrey, basketball commissioner. The Calais squad will be coached by Ryan Lincoln of Woodland.
The Houlton Water Company will offer “happy half hour” to all the competitors, this will allow everyone to get warmed up for all the afternoon basketball events from 3-3:20 p.m., as the crowd files in.
Following the All-Star game, the Pioneer Broadband Most Valuable Player trophy will be presented to the Men’s League player who showcased his talent the best to lead his respective team to success. Brandon Tomah was awarded the MVP Award in 2015, and will try to repeat during this year’s event.
Organizers are targeting approximately 58 athletes as the number of players to compete in the several special segments. The 3-point Shoot-Out will challenge the long range shooters to attempt 20 shots from five different “hot spots” beyond the arc in a one minute time period. Each designated spot will have a “money” ball, which is worth two points, and all other scores are worth one point each. There will be three rounds of competition, prior to the trophy being awarded. A perfect round will be scored as 25 points, and bonus points will be awarded.
The Houlton Men’s League has several different shooters that will be competing for the title, such as: Zach Stubbs; team captain of the Flint Tropics, who will make his second straight All-Star special events appearance. Stubbs set the season League record of seven 3-pointers in a single season game and is atop the League standings with 30 total.
The combination of sharp shooters from the Monstars — Lucas Flewelling, Caleb Dube, Travis Casey and Matthew Drake will also be looking to challenge. Jeremy Tarr will be representing the Swamp Donkeys and Adam Hogan and defending champ Sam Henderson are representing the Rec Legends. Henderson will have his work cut out for himself for back to back titles.
The free throw shooting contest will be a display of mind, focus and skill as the League’s qualified players attempt to score perfect percentages from the charity stripe, while shooting 10 straight shots through three rounds of competition.
The Rec Legends will be very well represented as Henderson is atop the league standings for the second straight season, shooting 84.6 percent. He was runner-up in the 2015 Inaugural Free Throw contest, despite netting 23/25 of his total foul shots. Adam Hogan, who will make his initial FT contest appearance, is close behind, shooting 76.9 percent. James Bates, who leads his Swamp Donkeys in scoring, will try to make it to the final round after shooting 70 percent during the season. Flewelling will be the Monstars best hope shooting 63 percent from the line.
Hopefully, Travis Casey will be able to compete after his last regular season game ankle injury, and put the Monstars back on the map, if not Coach Jordan Hill will impress all the fans along with his teammates of the Legends
The Dead River Company Men’s League regulation type game will be much anticipated as the local squad is unaware of how well prepared the Calais Men’s League team will be and match up against our own Houlton Men’s League All-Stars. The All Star game, that will have four 12-minute periods and officiated by IAABO Board officials, will provide the opportunity for all the players to once again display their own on court performances and try to lead their respective team to success, and show great sportsmanship while competing towards a fund-raising event. Following the game, the MVP will be presented with a trophy.
The Aroostook Auto Tech shop will offer the Ladies League exhibition game, as the Houlton Basketball Association is always looking to expand their team rosters, for both divisions ‚Ä“ mens and womens.
Admission to the All-Star special event will be $4 for adults and $2 for students. Concessions and beverages will be available at the venue also. Proceeds from funds raised at the door and any donations collected will help support the continued future of the community based non-profit Houlton Men’s League , and also a portion of funds will be donated to local athletics for their school programs.
The attendees will have the opportunity to participate, as the Men’s League will offer a Horten’s Building Supplies half-court shot for both students and adults during the halftime intermission, if half court shot is made a $50.00 cash award will be given to the fan . Mark your calendars to get you enthused just before the local high school tournaments.
For more information, to get involved or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Humphrey at 768-1667 or 694-2715, email address of mainewhitelightnin@yahoo.com. The Houlton Basketball Association ‚Ä“ Men’s League also has a website with stats and information, which is http://www.leaguelineup.com/houltonmensleague and a Facebook page: Houlton Basketball Association – Men’s & Women’s Adult Leagues.
