9 west. For the past 8 years, Briggs(along with co-founder Brian Clement) has run the Maine Firecrackers Girls AAU basketball program. For the past 7 years he has been the Scarborough Basketball Booster President overseeing the entire basketball program for boys and girls. Follow us on Social Media . Don Briggs has been involved in basketball his entire life as a player, a coach, and administrator. Maine United Basketball Basketball was their life, and that passion was passed on to Mackenzie and Cam. She says she never said that, but she did.. Though Lenny and Denise divorced when their kids were young, both were still heavily involved with raising the children. The feeling never gets old.. Route 115 ends at the Rt. Nokomis High School's Cooper Flagg takes the ball to the hoop during the Maine Class A boys basketball championship game at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland on Saturday, March 5, 2022. From North take same exit but turn left and follow directions above. 2.2 miles from toll booth. Basketball is in the Holmes family DNA and its a major part of Maine, too. Before the players were on the same team, they were split up between a few different AAU teams in the state. Though the primary focus of instruction is geared toward preparing players to compete at a high level in high school and college, the Firecracker program is widely considered the most successful girls program in Maine and is also considered one of the elite programs in New England. Continue until next traffic light, turn Right onto Route 9/208, follow 4 miles, UNE entrance is on the left. Basketball is what keeps them connected and opened the door to make the leap from a quiet town just outside Portland to one of the most regarded college basketball programs in the NCAA. Mode one is youre out there, finding yourself away from the basketball and going through the motions. That inaugural Firecracker team accomplished many firsts throughout their AAU playing days which was highlighted (at that point) by the States only AAU D2 National Championship. Im just proud.. I wasnt the best at first, but I was able to work my way into those roles through, more than anything, just hard work and perseverance.. That means he spends most practices battling in the post with his younger sister and their competitive drive has not faded in the least. Close to 1000 athletes from across New England participate in Maine Hoops events. Follow the directions above. Don't have a commenting profile? Providence Continue reading , This years class of 2021 finished with anything but a normal finality. end .5 miles at Falmouth Middle School. 9 for about 6 miles to traffic light. When you look at Maine basketball, all the teams that win state championships every single year or the perennial contenders, theyre just juggernauts with talent and teamwork that theyre able to produce year after year.. Continue on Rte. Both Fontaine and Steele said that the team is very close, and the players came together quickly. Login. TAKE EXIT 6A (ME-100 S/FOREST AVE). If coming from Rte 1 (Main Street, Saco) turn at VIP Auto Parts going towards Old Orchard. From North take same exit but turn left off ramp and follow directions above. At end of off ramp take right. Takea right onto Green Street. Just after the High School turn right onto Ludlow St. and the gym parking lot is your first right. The passion certainly exists and it's a big part of winters in the state. Maine Hoops believes basketball can teach many of lifes lessons on the court, if character and fair play are always part of the process. 2017. Lenny also played the kids 1-on-1 up until the point he could no longer beat them. From the Maine turnpike traveling North from Kittery , take Exit 45 (Maine Mall Road/South Portland) (formerly Exit 7). Started by Brendan Fontaine of Auburn and Wayne Steele of Gray, Mode3 comprises girls in the 2027 high school graduation year from all across Maine. There are a lot of famous families when it comes to basketball. Mum to Ceri and Lizzy, K-2 Title I math teacher, proud Brit, lover of basketball, volleyball, Luke Bryan and my cat. Currently we have 14 players that have been offered athletic scholarships. You will see the Gym on your Left, Use Side entrance. 2022-23 Men's Ice Hockey Season Ticket Brochure. Continue through 2 sets of traffic light. Brown used to work with Mackenzie as a middle schooler because of his connection with Denise. Cam, who is two years older than Mackenzie, got the shooting touch from his mom, but had to work like his father did coming up. The Community Center will be on your left, less then 1/2 mile. Commenting on the long and amazing journey over the prior eight years, Briggs said The wins and championships were very special, but seeing young women go from pigtails and braces to highly recruited student athletes who are leaders in the classroom, on the court, and in their communities has been the most rewarding., Briggs continued, Olivia Smith (Dartmouth) and Allie Clement (Marist) will play Division I, Nina Davenport (Bates), Sam Frost (Salve Regina), Olivia Shaw (UNE) and Brianne Maloney (St. Joes) will thrive in Division 3. Take left off ramp, proceed approx. After you go through the toll, continue straight for 1.8 miles until you reach a light. Read more and decide if we're the right fit for you! After you leave the toll booth,there will be signs giving you several options for this area.Take the marked Broadway/South Portland. 1. Paris/Bethel and merge onto W Gray Rd/ME-115/ME-4/US-202; continue to follow ME-4/US-202;Turn left at ME-26/Shaker Rd;Turn left at Libby Hill Rd. The first time he lost a friendly game of 2-on-1 to the kids, he refused to play them again. You will bear right onto Gloucester Hill Rd. Portland Athletic Club is right after People's Heritage Bank. 9. 37 talking about this. | Home | Contact Us | Site Map, Creating basketball opportunities where Sportsmanship and Player Development are the focus, own Team Championships Information Just Opened, Spring Schedule Just Released - Click Here, MaineHoops-FrequentlyAskedQuestions2015.pdf, EasternMaineHoopsRegistrationForm2016.pdf, MaineHoops-FrequentlyAskedQuestions2016.pdf, TournamentRegistrationForm2016withMACBangorArea.pdf, Consistent and Constant Feedback during Correction Phase. Maine Blue Wave Basketball - Blue Wave Basketball Maine Blue Wave Basketball Teaching the Greater Portland area the proper way to learn the fundamentals of the game of basketball. At the third traffic light, turn right onto Cumberland Avenue. The name Mode3 comes from an internal team phrase that means playing as hard as you can. Tweets. 214 Followers. Creating basketball opportunities for players of all ability levels where Sportsmanship and Player Development are the focus. After going through toll, take first exit - Industrial Park. Mackenzies Indiana team has taken on a similar form. Learn more. Nothing good was coming from it.. The passion certainly exists and its a big part of winters in the state. 295 take Exit 6B. St. School is at bottom of hill on right. From Int. Under Armour has middle school circuits. Trying to get through those long stretches where out of the whole stretch of a year she can basically come home seven to eight weeks and thats it then the rest of the year shes out there. Follow straight from ramp 2.5 miles P.A.C. The XL Thunder program will continue in its current teams and serve as the development program. Once kids entered the scene, Briggsturned his attention to youth programs in Scarborough where he ran the travel basketball program for 5 years. At the light turn left onto Westbrook Street. After the toll booth, take the Falmouth-Rte 1 South exit. "Everyone is focused on drill and ball handling work, it's almost like shooting the basketball has become secondary despite it's OBVIOUS importance to the game. Inside look at the XL Thunder and Maine Attraction Elite Nationals girls' teams grind it out this spring and summer aau season. From Maine Turnpike take Exit 36 (Saco) go 2.3 miles to a small rotary. Turn right on to Bucknam Rd. . Once off the ramp, onto Portland High School: From the Maine Turnpike North, take exit 52 - Falmouth. Aug. 13After two years of playing AAU basketball under the Maine United brand, an area AAU program featuring girls from the graduating class of 2027 is changing its name to Mode3 and will. To get to SMTC continue to a four way stop. Route 115 ends at the Rt. Likes. Naturally, they took a liking to the game of basketball. Each group that plays after the initial team will continue to benefit from those before them. The trek from Gorham, Maine to Bloomington, Indiana is not a short one. 100 North stay on this road for 4 miles.You will see a Blue Sign directing you to Eastgate. At the third light the road ends and you must turn. The duo also wants to bring in more and more people into the Mode3 family. Congratulations to senior Camille Clement for landing the MaxPreps Player of the Year for Maine for the 20/21 season. Cam was not bound to play at that level and spent his first year of college at Bryant University in Rhode Island, where he was a practice player for the Bulldogs. Stay inright lane until the intersection of Rt 1. Turn Left on to Rt. Denise spent seven years as an assistant coach at Gorham High and Lenny had spent time during his college years running or volunteering at camps and clinics. Follow this road (Sponsorship. Maine United Basketball. Indiana is obviously known for being a basketball state and basketball crazy, but I think Maine is almost a microcosm of Indiana, Cam said. "Shooting instruction is the least developed and most difficult traininig for young players to receive" according to Holmes. 2019by MAINE REACT BASKETBALL. We strive to promote the total development of our student-athletes. Interested in learningmore about what we have to offer? Bear right at the toll booth (following signs to North Windham) and proceed 1.5 miles to the third traffic light. Don Briggs Co-Founder of Maine Firecrackers. Travel approx. I kind of explained to them at a practice that there are different modes. 1/2 mile Take a right onto Wescott St. Memorial M.S. As that love grew, both Lenny and Denise helped build the character of their children. Not easy, but I will try. Our Guarantee: Top Teams and Facilities in a Friendly, Competitive Environment. The Waynflete Gym is loacted at 360 Spring St. behind Thomas House. The original team (class of 2014) was called the Falboro Firecrackers and was comprised of players from Falmouth and Scarborough but has grown to include players from multiple towns in the area. Many hoop fans will know his son, Brett Brown, who most recently served as the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. Maine REACT Basketball Club was established in 2018 by a group ofcollegiate women's basketball coaches with a goal of improving the overall quality of girls basketball in the state of Maine. 302 (2nd exit or half way through the rotary.) For a period they overlapped as head basketball coaches at Windham High. is on your left. [CDATA[ 329 likes. Denise recalled a time when Mackenzie was young, she didnt believe shed love the sports the way her parents did. McAuley is on the left. From the Maine Turnpike South, take exit 44, follow signs and directions to I-295 North. | Home | Contact Us | Site Map, Creating basketball opportunities where Sportsmanship and Player Development are the focus, UNE Westbrook Campus - Portland (see below), USM Sullivan Gymnasium - Portland (see below). It turned into an internal language for us.. I think thats one thing people dont understand. Mackenzie Holmes is the one grabbing the headlines. Affordable and flexible training right at your fingertips! The circuit is comprised of high level sessions in the Spring and Summer and culminates in the coveted UAA . Over the past 10 years, we have established ourselves as the gold standard for AAU basketball in the state of Maine. Waterville Boy's & Girls Club (Alfond Center): From South take Exit 130 (Waterville). At intersection of Rt. Repetition Phase - Through the use of the "Shot Gun" once players have reached the point of being on their "own" the Gun will provide them the opportunity to put up the number of shots required to obtain the muscle memory needed to make permanent the improvment. Follow Forest Ave until you reach your 7th light, Junction of Rte #9. There are currently 13 Lumberjacks teams, including the newly minted Fort Kent squad. Take a right onto Spring St at Mercy Hospital. Just before the traffic light,turn right. 9 and Stevens Ave turn right. School is 2 miles down on left. Turn Left on to Rt. As a result Continue reading , The class of 2021 finished up their Firecracker careers in style this past weekend with a hard fought win against Mid Penn Motion, 50-41. Bear left onto Forest Avenue. The Maine Renegades AAU programs are designed to provide middle school/high school aged girls and boys with opportunities to learn and improve. Travel approximately 6-7 miles until you come to a big rotary. Eastern Maine Pride AAU | Orono ME Rt. 1 at 4th light, you will see a Dairy Queen on left, bear right onto Broadway St. Continue on this street at 5th light. 295)- North Bound - Take Exit #9 to Rt. If theyre not in the building watching, she knows they have their eyes on the game from a far. Everyone knows the Currys, Rivers and Thompsons, but a family such as the Holmes represents how much impact the game can have on people. At the 1st traffic light, take a right and follow signs to I-295 South. Coach Holmes has been working with shooters for 20 years ane here are what coaches and parents say about his work. By the time Mackenzie hit eighth grade, it was clear she was going to play Division I basketball. Turn right at light. From Int. High School: The High School will be on your right. Contact Coach Holmes at lenny@smsportszone.com to set up on initial meeting and evaluation. Open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 207-581-BEAR | UM.Tickets@maine.edu Seat Maps, Pricing, Guidance Basketball Ice Hockey Football COVID-19 Guidance All-Access VIDEO Black Bear Insider ESPN+ AmericaEast TV FloSports Maine All-Access Maine Athletics on YouTube LISTEN Black Bear Voices - Podcast Coaches Show Live Game Audio APP Lenny and Cam are no slouches on the court, but they were workers. There will be more photos and fun things to come soon! We call that mode three. Then, when I took a visit out here, I fell in love.. Go 2.3 miles and turn right onto Woodville Rd. The Maine Firecrackers were founded in 2007 by Don Briggs and Brian Clement with a mutual vision to teach values and life lessons to young women in the Greater Portland area through the game of basketball. Parish Hall is 311 Green Street, at the corner of South Street and Green. From South: I-95 Maine Turnpike to Exit 32, Biddeford. From South take Exit 127 (Waterville/Oakland). Affordable development and competitive teams for all ages available year round! 43 Hillview Avenue. Saco, ME 04072. From I-295, take exit 7- Franklin Street exit. Turn Left onto Morrill Ave. Details and dates of the program will be discussed at that time. A lot of talent that will end. Sign up and we'll deliver the top stories to begin the day to your inbox at 6 a.m. BBN is a place where student-athletes are given the opportunity to be successful through proper guidance and training. As you come to the end of this exit, turn right (it is a continuation of the curve you've been on. Go over RR overpass and take next right onto Maplewood Avenue. I save my yelling for the officials now.. From the North - Take I-95 towards Gardiner, keep right at Exit 103 onto I-295. I thought itd be something Id get used to after a year or so, but now even three years later, I dont think its something Ill ever be able to get used to. Parking Lot on the Left - Tiger gym is across the road on your right. March 2021, the Maine Firecrackers announced a merger with XL Thunder where both brands would continue to operate. Gardiner, ME Joined September 2015. Shooting School has an open enrollment structure but is limited to 20 participants. That impact was perhaps bigger than the natural skill theyd passed along, and they made it a point to raise better people than they were basketball players. Take Exit 63-Gray off the Maine Turnpike (95) and turn left onto Rts. His love for the sport developed because his competitive drive forced him to always want to get better. In fact, when the two were young, their parents did all they could to keep them from playing each other 1-on-1. 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