After falling four points short of winning the Eastern Maine Class D title in overtime last season, Shead of Eastport Coach Bob Davis’ girls are playing each game with fire in their eyes this time around.

The Shead Tigers return the top six players from last season’s sixth-seeded, 12-9 squad – including all-tourney first team pick Ivy Newcomb and honorable mention Heather Reynolds.

Newcomb, a 5-11 junior forward, will anchor a hungry Shead Tigers’ team laden with experience, size, speed, and depth.

Being considered an early-season favorite for the Class D crown doesn’t concern Davis. The team isn’t feeling the pressure that usually accompanies such lofty expectations.

“I’m not worried about being a favorite. In fact, I think they’re hungrier this year,” said Davis. “They’ve been itching for every single game coming up.”

Shead features a starting lineup of Newcomb, (senior forward) Reynolds, junior forward Opal Johnson, senior guard Michelle Wentworth, junior guard Jenny Lincoln. Senior forward Sandi Raye is first off the bench.

Another team many coaches consider a strong favorite is Katahdin of Sherman Station.

The Cougars dropped from Class C to D this season after compiling a 14-5 record and losing to East C champ Calais in the semifinals last year.

Katahdin also returns its entire starting lineup from 1990-91.

The Cougars’ two top players, junior guard Kelly Stubbs and senior forward Shannon Craig, were Class C all-tourney picks and will lead the team this year.

Senior guard Lea Craig, junior center Tammy Greenlaw, and senior forward Kirsten Richardson round out the starting team.

Another team dropping from Class C to D is Woodland. The Dragons would like to erase memories of an 0-18 season.

Other teams that could put together a drive to the Eastern D title are Southern Aroostook of Dyer Brook, Central Aroostook of Mars Hill, Machias, Jonesport-Beals, and Ashland.

The Southern Aroostook Warriors are coming off an 11-9 season and a trip to the Class D semifinals. The Warriors return their top three scorers, including all-tourney guard Jill Mathers.

Central Aroostook’s 1990-91 season mirrored Southern Aroostook’s. The Panthers (also 11-9 and an EM semifinalist) will be led by cousins Stori Shaw and Erica Shaw. Virtually the entire starting lineup returns.

The Machias Bulldogs were 13-6 last year and the tournament’s No. 4 seed. Machias returns six lettermen, led by senior center Becky Tower.

The Jonesport-Beals Royals were 15-4 last season and lost in the quarterfinals. An all-tourney pick as a freshman last year, guard Sandi Carver returns with a year of valuable experience under her belt.

How do you follow up a year with a 19-3 record and an Eastern Maine “D” championship?

The Ashland Hornets will answer that question this season, as they’re the team everyone is gunning for. They’ll be led by junior guard Diana Belskis, an all-tourney pick last year.

So who will win the 1992 Eastern “D” trophy? That’s for the tournament to decide.