BRIDGTON ACADEMY WINS COACHES VS. CANCER WINTER CLASSIC

January 23, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nick LeBel 207.647.3322 x1217

BRIDGTON ACADEMY WINS 8th ANNUAL COACHES VS. CANCER WINTER CLASSIC
First time Bridgton Academy has won the tournament they host at Memorial Gymnasium

North Bridgton, ME – Eight years after the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic basketball tournament debuted at Bridgton Academy, the team can now say they own a championship at their own tournament. Bridgton defeated Navy Prep 61–53 Friday night, then finished out the tournament Saturday afternoon with an impressive 78–70 victory against St. Thomas More at a raucous Memorial Gymnasium to become 2017 Coaches vs. Cancer Winter Classic champions.

“Our guys played well both days, meeting every challenge thrown at them,” said Bridgton Academy Head Basketball Coach, Whit Lesure. “The level of interest in the gym and overall buzz Saturday afternoon was nice to see, and helpful, too. Amazing atmosphere.”

Avenging a loss to St. Thomas More earlier in the month, the Championship game was a showcase of back-and-forth basketball, with Bridgton pulling away in the last minute and a half. Bobby Planutis (Hazelton, PA) lead the way for the Wolverines, averaging 21 points and 14 rebounds for the tournament. Jack Lesure (North Bridgton, ME) had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. In all, four Wolverines notched double figures in points.

Riding a four-game win streak (all at home), the Wolverines head to Wolfeboro, NH for a stout test against Brewster Academy on Wednesday.

The Coaches vs. Cancer Winter Classic is a four-team basketball tournament to benefit the American Cancer Society (ACS). The team was able to present the ACS with a check for over $1,000 from admissions fees from the weekend, and during the eight years of the tournament has donated over $6,000 to further cancer research in hopes of finding a cure.