Burleigh free-throw ‘prowess’ earns sub Stearns coach shares prize with fans, others

For anyone sitting in Alfond Arena’s section B during the UMaine women’s basketball game in Orono against Delaware Sunday, you can thank Jerry Burleigh for your halftime snack.

Burleigh, the Stearns of Millinocket girls basketball coach, was picked to shoot free throws in a contest during the intermission of the game. He made four shots to win the contest, and the entire section shared a Subway party sub, which was several feet long.

Burleigh made four shots in 30 seconds, the most among the four contestants.

Two of the shooters had trouble hitting the rim of the basket. Still Burleigh felt some pressure, especially once he saw the Subway box perched on a bleacher behind the basket.

“It was a no-win situation for me,” said Burleigh, who is in his 29th season coaching the Minutemen. “I had to go out there and make three or four. After I saw the first two [shooters], I said if I don’t make two I’m going home. After I got a couple, I thought, ‘I’ve just got to make one more, because [the final contestant is] not going to make any.’ ”

He ended up giving most of the sub away to officials and cheerleaders, and once the crowd in section B got its share, UMaine officials passed out the rest of it.

Burleigh took at least six shots, and as a coach he knows a 66 percent free-throw average could use some improvement.

“I was a little disappointed,” he said. “I swear … I used to play with guys a lot. But I don’t think I’ve taken a shot this year.”

Wrestling, hockey sites change

Sites for the Western Maine Class C wrestling championships and Class A South ice hockey semifinals have changed, the Maine Principals’ Association announced.

The ice hockey games will now be held at the Central Maine Civic Center in Lewiston. The March 3, 2001, date remains the same.

Class C West wrestling championship site has been moved to Monmouth Academy, with the same date (Feb. 3, 2001).