SPORTING LIFE

Lace ’em up, boys

By Sam Pfeifle

There is, quite literally, a new game in town. Jason Walker, former player on the Southern Maine Tech basketball squad, has announced he will act as owner and general manager of the Maine Extremes, a semi-pro basketball team to start play in the fall of this year.

“We’re in the very early stages,” says Walker, “but I’d like to let people know we’re going to exist.”

Unlike previous semi-pro teams like the Portland Mountain Cats or the Portland Wave, the Extremes will not play in a league like the USBL, but will travel from location to location, taking on all comers. “We’ll combine the goodwill of the Harlem Globetrotters with the loud stereo of the WWF,” says Walker.

The Extremes will be made up entirely of Maine-based players, says Walker, which is also a change from the hired-gun mentality of previous teams, and will focus on community involvement. “We’ll do exhibition games against elementary school faculty, middle school faculty,” says Walker, “and before the game we’ll send in two or three players to say ‘stay in school, don’t do drugs,’ and promote the game.” The game will be held in the school gymnasium, and the Extremes will take just 20 percent of the door, leaving the rest to go into the school coffers. Walker estimates players will receive about $100 per game.

“I’m looking for a professional athlete,” emphasizes Walker in talking about the team’s mission, “not only good on the court, but one who presents himself in a professional manner off the court. Because that’s how we’re going to make our money.”

Walker also hopes to set up exhibition games against local college teams, talented high school squads like the one possessed by Maine Central Institute — a powerhouse that last year boasted the top school-boy prospect in the country — or off-season pros looking for a good workout. “I play at York Beach quite a bit,” notes Walker, “and this past summer a couple of the Celtics came to play.” Though the team will start playing in the fall, Walker hopes to have a summer venue, and possibly a league, in place by next year.

Tryouts will be held for the 15 slots available as soon as a critical mass of players have expressed interest, so, if you got skills, give him a call at the fittingly titled Extreme Video, which Walker runs in Biddeford, at (207) 284-2310.