Maine hoops 17-under team eliminated

ORLANDO, Fla. – Maine’s entry in the national AAU 17-and-under boys basketball tournament advanced to the championship medal round before being eliminated with a Monday loss at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex.

The Carolina Nets of North Carolina topped Maine Hoops 60-51 on Monday.

Maine Hoops was paced by Chris Howell of Lincoln Academy, who scored 12 points, handed out five assists, blocked three shots and made three steals. Maranacook’s Brian Gerrity and Mount Ararat’s Jim Hunt scored nine points each. Maine Hoops trailed by 16 points after three periods and rallied to within three points with three minutes remaining before falling.

Maine Hoops finished the tourney with a 1-4 record. Half of the tournament’s 92 teams advanced out of pool play into the double-elimination championship round. Maine went 0-2 in medal play.

The team is coached by Carl Parker of Bangor. The roster included Eastern Maine stars Derek Rodgerson of Hampden, Jeff White of Nokomis, and Chris Gray of Hermon.