Unified Basketball program – BIDDEFORD GAZETTE

It’s been another busy week at the Biddeford Gazette, capped off by last weekend’s annual spring conference of the New England Newspaper & Press Association (NENPA).

NENPA is a professional organization supporting the work of more than 450 media outlets throughout New England, including daily and weekly print publications; radio and television stations and digital media outlets like the Gazette.

**A NEW DAY FOR THE GAZETTE** (*Contributed photo by Barbara Pelletier of Biddeford*)

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I have attended this annual conference many times in the past, but always while working for someone else or representing a different publication.

This year was much different. This was the first year I attended the conference as the co-owner of a non-profit media outlet dedicated to covering just one community.

I was warmly embraced and welcomed by many of my colleagues, and I learned a ton of stuff. It was a watershed moment of my professional career, and I will do my best to pass on the lessons I learned to benefit the Gazette’s readers, subscribers and supporters.

The Biddeford Gazette started more than a year ago as a snarky blog, fueled by frustration about what is happening in Biddeford.

Amateur hour is now over

You’ll be seeing some big and not so big changes in the days and weeks ahead.

No matter what, we are dedicated to the Biddeford Community. We serve you. That is our responsibility, and we must and will take that responsibility seriously.

I’ll be discussing what I learned this weekend on my blog | Lessons in Mediocrity | Outlaw Journalist

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UPCOMING STORIES

CITY BUDGET | We will continue our ongoing coverage of the city’s annual budget process. The council is facing a daunting task. While a proposed increase of more than 12 percent seems frightening, it’s important to note that it is only a preliminary number subject to lots of debate and adjustment. We urge you to get involved. Go to meetings. Call your councilors.

MEMORY LANE | We had a blast last week meeting with Chuck Cote, the youngest child of legendary football coach and player Bob Cote. Today, Chuck is working to preserve and archive tons of the city’s political and sports memorabilia including an extensive collection of historical records from the former St. Louis High School in Biddeford.

RUNNING ON EMPTY | Gazette readers will be able to learn more this week about Biddeford’s Jessica Johnson, a deeply passionate community volunteer who will once again be running in the Boston Marathon to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Research Institute.

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DID YOU MISS IT?

TIGER PRIDE SHINES IN SANFORD | The Biddeford Gazette was proud to offer our exclusive coverage of the thrilling, end-of-season UNIFIED basketball game between the Biddeford Tigers and Sanford Spartans last week.

You can find pictures, game highlights and even video clips here | Biddeford Tigers bring home another win

CITY CLERK PATTERSON caught many people off guard last week, announcing her upcoming resignation, April 10.

UNE PRESIDENT Dr. James Herbert ended his silence and publicly expressed his frustration regarding the controversy that now surrounds the university’s proposed research pier.

CITY HIRES CONSULTANT | The Biddeford City Council unanimously voted last week to approve hiring a temporary municipal consultant to help the city address several big issues that have been plaguing the community for several years, including overdue financial audits and the city’s comprehensive plan.

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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism

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By RANDY SEAVER | Editor

Members of the Biddeford High School Tigers Unified Basketball Team faced their opponents Thursday with steely gazes and wide grins.

*The Biddeford Tigers take the court just before the start of Thursday’s season final in Sanford (Seaver photo)*

It was a thrilling game that ended the regular season for the Unified Basketball program in southern Maine.

The Tigers traveled to Sanford and took on the mighty Spartans with determination and grit, and when the final buzzer sounded, Biddeford walked off the court with a solid 90 – 84 win.

“We took it the end with Brandon Lambert throwing several three-pointers and teammates Bentley and Ayden continuously scoring their two-pointer shots back-to-back,” said Biddeford Coach Lauren Cote.

“We finished the season with a bang,” the coach said excitedly just minutes after the final buzzer.

*Junior Dexter Orifice (27) celebrates a teammate’s two-pointer (Seaver photo)*

Both teams offered a packed house of spectators a thrilling sporting event that encapsulated the spirit of players who each demonstrated pure, unfiltered joy in simply being able to play on the hardwood in front of their cheering parents, friends and family members.

*An enthusiastic crowd of supporters enjoyed Thursday’s game (Seaver photo)*

Players from both teams offered each other numerous high-fives and exploding fist bumps. The smiles were unmistakable, and the Tiger Pride spirit filled the Sanford gymnasium.

The Spartans also played their hearts out and were able to repeatedly close some big gaps as Biddeford’s offense capitalized on vulnerabilities under the boards.

The Spartans never slowed or showed any diminishing enthusiasm. They deployed some stunning break-away defensive moves that gave them opportunities for another drive down the court for wide open two-pointers.

*Every picture tells a story (Photo by Coach Lauren Cote)*

Cote and fellow coach Craig Chamberlain both said the Tigers had “a great season with many wins and some losses also, but our players and partners always go into a game with the greatest team spirit and they always play to the best of their abilities,” Cote said.

“They love the game so much — with all of their hearts and Tiger Pride shines through every time,” the coach added. “We are so proud of every single one of them.”

VIDEO

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism

Our editorial standards and policies: Biddeford Gazette | Standards & Policies