Maniacs go to Washington, DC (the basketball team, not more politicians)

Whether you love or hate AAU basketball, there is no denying it gets kids opportunities to go to all sorts of unique places and to meet quite a few people. The Maniacs, coached by Matt Hancock, are playing in Washington, DC this week in the US Junior National Basketball tournament. Hancock took the opportunity to reach out to Senator Susan Collins.

“(I) reached out to Senator Collins about a meet and greet,” said Hancock, who has parlayed his successful career on the court into developing successful teams to travel around the state and country. “So without much thought about it, here come ten Maine kids walking around the Senate Office Floor with “Maniac” on the front. It prompted a lot of laughs and some incredible photo opportunities.”

Photos were taken with  Florida Senator Marco Rubio (pictured below with the team), Arizona Senator John McCain, New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, and Collins. Lawrence star Nia Irving, who made the trip but can’t play due to recent surgery on her ACL, invited Senator Collins to sit on the bench with her since she couldn’t play either. “They were awesome,” said Irving. “I just thought I’d throw the offer (to sit on the bench) out there.”

rubio

Hat Tip to MBR.Org for passing along. To view other photos you can visit the forum post on MBR here.

Maniacs Roster
Montana Braxton – Cape Elizabeth
Cece Hancock – Lake Region
Maddie Hasson – South Portland
Ashley Howe – Thornton Academy
Nia Irving – Lawrence
Emily Jacques – Edward Little
Caitlin Kane – Mt. Blue
Dominique Lewis – Lawrence
Signe Ostergaard – Morse
Chloe Smedley – York

Photo Courtesy Maine Maniacs basketball club

Matt Boutwell

About Matt Boutwell

Matt Boutwell is a morning radio host for Z105.5 FM in Auburn, the Voice of the Oxford Hills Vikings on WOXO 92.7 in Norway, and the Program Director for MBR Radio. A former high school athlete who realized he was better off talking about sports rather than playing them, he lives in Mechanic Falls with his family.