Fort Fairfield
The Early Years
1908: First year for basketball at the high school in Fort Fairfield. They were a member of the Northern League which had three teams, they were 2 - 2 this year. Coach was Charles Clement.
1909: Could not determine if a team existed this year.
1910: Decided to discontinue basketball
1911: The Aroostook Central School League was formed, Fort did have a team and were 0-8 in League play. Did not have a suitable place to play games or practice.
1912: This season they were 3 – 9.
1913: Dropped out of league because of lack of facilities.
1914: The Northern Aroostook Interscholastic League was formed and was comprised of A.C.I., Fort Fairfield, Presque Isle High School and Caribou.
1915: There was a team but no record available
1916: Tied with Presque Isle for league championship, both teams had 3 -1 record. Lost play-off with Presque Isle.
1917: No Won – Loss record.
1918: No Won – Loss record. The Libby Rink was being expanded at this time and that is where the “Tigers” were playing their games.
1919: No Won – Loss record.
1920: No Won – Loss record.
1921: Fort was the N.A.I.L. Champion . First year that the Eastern Maine Tournament was held at the University of Maine. A play-off was held to determine County representative, Washburn defeated Fort Fairfield 28-24 winning the Championship game. Fort Fairfield was the Eastern Maine Runner – up. Coach was Lou Kriger. Home games were played at Libby Rink.
1922: No Won – Loss record.
1923: Because of unfinished schedules both Fort Fairfield and Presque Isle claimed the N.A.I..L. title. The new Fort Fairfield High School was dedicated Nov. 20, 1923. The high school games would be played in the new gym.
1924: Fort Fairfield won their first County Championship going undefeated in County and League play going 6 - 0. They went to the UMO Tournament and lost two games to Northeast Harbor High School. Hoyt Beckwith and Charles Stone named to the All-Tournament team. Their final record was 18 – 2. The boys of the team, accompanied by L. H. Krlger, their efficient coach were : Charles Stone, Hoyt Beckwith, Wallace Fisher, Mandel Green, Manzer Finnemore, Edward Buxton and Eugene Finnemore.. The High Schools of the following towns also taook part in the tournament: Danforth, Dexter, Bangor, Jonesport, Northeast Harbor, Sangervllle and Southwest Harbor. The Fort girls were 0 – 4.
1925: Won the N.A.I.L. Championship with a record of 6 – 0 in league play. The girls were 2 – 2.
1926: Fort Fairfield and Houlton were considered the two best teams in the County and were selected to represent the County at the University of Maine Tournament. Fort Fairfield was eliminated in the tournament by Bangor 31-19. Fort finished second in the Aroostook League with an 8 – 2 record. Giggey was selected to the All Aroostook League Team. Beckwith was the top scorer in the league with 139 points, Greenier had 97 and Giggey 83. The Lady Tigers were 3 – 7.
1927: Houlton and Fort Fairfield again finished one and two in the league this year and represented the County in the University of Maine Tournament. At the tournament Fort Fairfield defeated Shead 39-18 and Guilford 41-14. They then met a strong Bar Harbor team in the finals and although played well lost the game 26-24. Vavel Giggey and Steve Ramo were named to the All-Tournament team. As a result of being runner-up in the Eastern Maine Tournament they represented the State in the National Basketball Interscholastic Tournament, the played New Mexico in the opening round and lost 20 – 13. Their league record was 8 – 2, overall record 16 – 3, Giggey, Fritzsche and S. Ramo were named to the All Aroostook League first team. Greenier led Fort in league scoring with 77 points, Fritzsche 74 and Beckwith 66. The team was coached by Ray Carter. The Tiger girls were 2 – 6.
1928: Fort had an 8 – 2 record in the Aroostook League their complete regular season record was 12 – 3. As a result of defeating Stearns 21 - 18 in a play-off game they qualified for the Eastern Maine Tournament. Their first game they defeated Winslow 23 – 21 and then lost to Bar Harboy 22 – 18. Vavel Giggey was selected to the All – tournament team. Giggey led Fort in scoring with 92 points, J. Beckwith had 71, and P. Burke 70. Giggey was selected to the All – League team. Team was coached by Coach Carter. The girls finished third in the league with a 6 – 4 record.
1929: Houlton and Fort Fairfield represented the County at the Eastern Maine Tournament in Orono. Fort Fairfield defeated Gardiner in the opening round 36 – 12, they then played Houlton in the semi-final losing 23-21. Fort had a 6-4 record in the Aroostook League, and an overall record of 14 – 5. Hamilton and Towle were selected to the All Aroostook League 1st team, LeVasseur was named to the 2nd team. Hamilton led the Tigers in scoring with 77 points, LeVasseur had 66. Charlie Towle was an All Tournament selection. The girls were third again this year with a 5 – 5 record.
1930: Houlton wins the first Eastern Maine Tournament for Northern Aroostook County. Fort Fairfield was 1 – 9 in the Aroostook League. LeVasseur was an All Aroostook League 2nd team selection.
1931: 1 – 9 record in Aroostook League, Fitzherbert led the team in scoring 57 points. Coach Carter was at the helm.
1932: 3 – 7 record in the Aroostook League. Clark was an All Aroostook League 1st team selection, Towle was named to the 2nd team. K. Clark led the team in scoring with 69 points, Houghton added 49. The Fort girls were Aroostook League Champs with a 10-0 record.
1933: Fort finished in 3rd place in the Aroostook League with a 7 – 3 record. All League 1st team selections were Palmer an Towle; 2nd team selection was Sawyer. Towle led the team in scoring with 76 points and Plamer had 70.
1934: Fort Fairfield with fourth with a 4 – 6 record, Giggey led the team in scoring with 63 points and was named to the All Aroostook 2nd team. Ray Carter was the coach
1935: Finished 3rd in the Aroostook League with a record of 5 - 5. Slipp led the team in scoring with 86, Giggey 78 and Ames with 57. Slipp and Giggey were named to the All Aroostook 2nd team. Ray Carter ended his coaching career with a two year record of 9 - 11.
1936: Finished 5th in the league this year with a 4 –6 record. Ames led the team in scoring with 68 points and was named to All Aroostook League 2nd team.
1937: This year was a struggle, finished with a 1 – 9 record and in 6th place. Putnam led the team in scoring with 59 points. Lockhart was an All Aroostook League 1st team selection and Hitchcock was named to the 2nd team. Harry Pelletier concluded his coaching mark of 5 - 15.
1938: Fort Fairfield was 0-10 this year, Giggey led the team in scoring with 54 points. . George Osgood this year, which would be his only year.
1939: Fort Fairfield was 1 – 9 and finished in 6th place. Scoring records were unavailable. Jack Johnson took over the coaching reins.
1940: Finished fourth in the Aroostook League with a record of 3-7.
1941: Finished fifth in the Aroostook League with a record of 3-7. Russell was 11th in league scoring with 60 total points.
1942: Finished fifth in the Aroostook League with a 4 – 5 record. Clark and Watt were selected to the All Aroostook League 2nd team. Stevens was second in the league in scoring with 132 points
1943: The Tigers finished last in the league with a 2 -8 record. Irvine was selected to the All Aroostook League 2nd team. Jack Johnston 5 year record was 13 – 36.
1944: Last again in the league this year with a 1 – 7 record. Dooley and Barnes were selected to the All Aroostook League 2nd team. Vavel Guiggey was the coach this year.
1945: Tigers saw an improvement this year improving to 6 – 2 and finishing second in the league, overall record was 9 – 6. Johnson was a All Aroostook League first team selection and Clark was selected to the 2nd team. Ken Clark was the new coach.
1946: Tigers won the Aroostook League title with a 7 – 1 record. The starting five consisted of Herb Nightingale, Dick Cormier, Paul Lynch, Ralph “Chub” Clark and Leonard Barnes. The team was coached by Ken Clark. They finished the regular season with a 17 – 5 record. They went to the Eastern Maine Tournament where they lost to John Bapst 49 Fort Fairfield 46. Leonard Barnes and Chub Clark were named to the All League 1st team, Paul Lynch was selected to the 2nd team. Lynch was the leading scorer for the team with 82 league points, Clark 73 and Cormier 58.
1947: Fort tied with Presque Isle for the League Championship each team had a 7-1 league record. When the two teams played each other, both lost on their home court. The Tigers season record was 15 – 5. They were selected to play in the Eastern Maine Tournament where they were defeated by Bangor 60 – 37.
1948: Presque Isle and Fort Fairfield tied again this year for the Aroostook League Championship, both teams had 7 – 1 league records. They again qualified for the Eastern Maine Tournament where they defeated Presque Isle 44 – 36 and then lost to Bangor in the semis 52 – 35. Their overall record was 17 – 6. All Aroostook first team selections were Roy Dean and Dick Cormier, Robert Plummer was selected to the second team. Leading scorers for the Tigers were Roy Dean 245, Dick Cormier 231, Eugene “Dint” Lovely 225, Del Beckwith 166 and Bob Plummer with 140.
1948: Front; Roy Dean, Dick Cormier, “Dint” Lovely, Bob Plummer and D. Beckwith; Back: Jim Ugone, Dick Haines, Lester Dewley, Paul Guiou, Bob Bowmaster, Ed McNeal, Paul Hand, Ted Clark, Coach – Ken Clark. Photo courtesy of PaperTalk magazine
1949: For the third straight year they tied for the League Championship but this time with Caribou both having 6 – 2 records, the total season record was 12 – 8. The Tigers had a play-off game with Guilford that was held in the Putnam Gymnasium in Houlton and came away with a 42 – 24 win, Roy Dean had 13 and Bob Schwartz had 10 for the Tigers. They then went on to the Eastern Maine Tournament where they lost to Waterville 59 to 41. Roy Dean and Dick Cormier were selected to the All Aroostook First Team. Cormier led the League in scoring with 104 points, Dean had 79.
1950: Fort finished 4th in the League this year with a 5 – 5 record. Their season record was 11 – 9. They were one of three teams from the County who were selected to play in the EM tournament where they played Stearns and lost 51 to 29. They finished 8th as a result of a play-in game with Presque Isle.
1951: Fort Fairfield finished 2nd in the Aroostook League with a 7 – 3 record and an overall record of 14 - 6. They were one of four teams selected to play in the Eastern Maine Tournament where they played no. 3 Houlton and were defeated 48 to 42.
1952: Won the Aroostook League Championship with an 8-2 record, first outright championship since 1946. Ranked no. 5 the Tigers knocked off no. 4 Gardiner 41 to 38 in the quarter final. In the semi-final they lost to no. 8 Stearns 55 to 41. Their complete record was 16 – 7.
1953: Were not a tournament participant finishing in 9th spot with an 11 – 8 record. Finished third in the Aroostook League with a 6 – 4 record.
1954: Were tied for first in the Aroostook League with a 7 – 3 record. Completed the season with a 13 – 5 record and ranked 6th in Eastern Maine. In the quarter final of the EM Tournament they defeated no. 3 Winslow 40 – 38. In the semi-final they lost to no. 2 Stearns 56 to 45. This was also the year the Fort began playing games in a new facility which I believe was the armory. Ken Clark concluded his 10 year coaching career.
1955: Aroostook League record of 6-4 with one game forfeited. Were the 8th seed in the EM Tournament finishing the season with an 11 – 9 record. Lost their opening quarter final game to Bangor 66 to 59. Robinson led the Tigers in scoring with 13 per game and Art Cyr 12 per game. Charlie Manchester took over the reins as coach this year.
1956: The Tigers played their games at the Armory, they had a regulars season record of 11 – 5 and an Aroostook League record of 8-2 finishing second behind Houlton who was 9 – 1.
1952 Tournament action versus Gardiner at UMO. Photo courtesy of FFHS library.
1957: Fort had an overall record of 8 – 12, 4 – 6 in the Aroostook League. Billy Mortenson was named to the All Aroostook 1st team, and the MVP of Aroostook County, Brian Hollander was an honorable mention. Mortensen was chosen on the annual Portland Sunday Telegram first team of the Aroostook League All-Stars, Phil Grant and Floyd Hoyt received honorable mention. Bill Mortensen scored 32 points against Madison at the Armor which set a record for most points scored at the armory. This was Coach Manchester’s last year.
1958: Lawrence Gardiner coached the team this year, his only year. The Tigers had a record of 10 – 8 and 6 – 4 in the Aroostook League.
1959: Averill Black was the new coach . The Tigers had a 7 – 11 record, 5 – 5 in the Aroostook League.
1960: 11-7, ranked 11th. Aroostook League record of 7 – 3.
1961: Were ranked 4th in Eastern Maine LL with a 12-4 record. They were defeated by no. 5 Winslow 69 to 54 in the quarter-finals. This was Coach Black’s final year.
1962: Bob Cimbollek was the new coach and guided the Tigers to a 6-11record.
1963: Skip Chapelle became the new head coach, the compiled 9-8 record finishing 9th. Ron Sprague led the team in scoring at 19ppg., John Russell led the team in rebounding and was the second leading scorer. In a game against Houlton Russell poured in 36 points.
1964: The Tigers had a record of 12 – 5 and ranked 5th in Eastern Maine LL ranks. They lost to no. 4 John Bapst in the quarter final 61-52.
1965: Record of 9-9, 10th. Did not make the tournament this year even though they had wins over Bangor, Brewer, Houlton and Old Town. Dip Osborn was the playmaker and Dick LaPointe the team’s leading rebounder, Dave Case was an excellent perimeter shooter.
1966: 5-11, 12th
1967: Were ranked 5th in the Heal Point ratings with a 13 – 5 record. They lost to no. 4 Old Town in the quarter finals 86 to 75.
1968: 9-9, 16th in the Heal Points despite winning their first four games of the season. This was Coach Chapelle’s last year coaching the Tigers.
1969: 9-9, 12th, Jim Ugone took over as head coach.
1970: 9-9, 13th, co-captains were Bob Slipp and Gary Cyr.
All Tourney Selections 1948: Dick Cormier 2nd Team 1984: John Greenier, Tim Thibodeau 1988: Steve Novak, Shawn Manter
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Thank you to Elizabeth Stevens at the Bangor Public Library for providing me related articles from the Bangor Daily News, The book Fifty-One Years of Basketball Playing in Aroostook County, Northeast Publishing, Fort Fairfield High School Library, and the Mark and Emily Turner Library for allowing me to research, and the Stats Guy, Stephen Lawrence. .Photos contributed by the Stats Guy, Nathan W White book and FFHS library.