Hotshot winners to compete in Portland
CARIBOU — More than 125 competitors from Houlton to Fort Kent filled the gym of the Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center on Feb. 22 for the Northern Regional Finals of the Maine Recreation and Park Association and Maine Red Claw Hotshot Basketball Competition.
HOT SHOTS — Capturing the titles of Northern Regional Hotshot Champions in the 9-10 age group are, from left, Jacob Berkowski of Caribou, Dagan Savage of Caribou, Brienna Thibeault of Madawaska and Kaylyn Krul of Caribou. All four participants will travel to Portland Sunday to compete in the State Finals of the basketball skills competition.
This is the second year that the MRPA has teamed up with Maine’s newest professional sports team, the Maine Red Claws to host the events.
The Hotshot Competition is a basketball skills competition for youth 9-15 years of age. It involves shooting from five “hot spots” marked on one end of the basketball court. The competition tests each contestant’s speed, shooting skill, dribbling and rebounding ability.
HOT SHOTS 
— Capturing the titles of Northern Regional Hotshot Champions in the 9-10 age group are, from left, Jacob Berkowski of Caribou, Dagan Savage of Caribou, Brienna Thibeault of Madawaska and Kaylyn Krul of Caribou. All four participants will travel to Portland Sunday to compete in the State Finals of the basketball skills competition.
All qualifiers at the Northern Regional Finals had earned their spot by winning a top spot in their local competitions. Now winners and runners-up at the regionals will move on to Portland to compete against other winners from across Maine.
The state event is set for this Sunday at the Portland Expo. Once the Hotshot competition is over the participants will be able to attend a Red Claw game.
Contributed photo
HOT SHOTS — Four 13-15 year old boys and girls from Aroostook County will travel to the Portland Expo this Sunday to compete in the State Finals of the MRPA/Maine Red Claws Hotshot Basketball Competition.
Representing Aroostook County in this division will be, from left, Jenna Boucher of Caribou, Emmy Churchill of Washburn, Noah Caron of Washburn and Donovan Savage of Caribou.
Moving on to the State Finals of the MRPA/Maine Red Claws Hotshot Competition are: 9-10 year-old boys, Dagan Savage and Jacob Berkowski, both of Caribou; 9-10 year-old girls, Brianne Thibeault of Madawaska and Kaylyn Krul of Caribou; 11-12 year-old boys, Dawson Hebert and Evan Desmond, both of Caribou; 11-12 year-old girls, Maddie Doucette of Caribou and Libby LaPointe of Fort Kent; 13-15 year-old boys, Donovan Savage of Caribou and Noah Caron of Washburn; and 13-15 year-old girls, Jenna Boucher of Caribou and Emmy Churchill of Washburn.
