It’s a bit difficult for Coach Jerry Burleigh and his Stearns Minutemen not to think about the past two seasons, which have both ended in losses in the Eastern Maine final to Lawrence of Fairfield.

However, Burleigh says that while the Minutemen of Millinocket are remembering the past, they are not letting it bother them as they focus on qualifying for the Class A tourney.

“The kids don’t worry about (the last two seasons). They worry about getting to the tourney and taking it from there,” said the 12th-year coach.

Burleigh tabs Lawrence of the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference as again the team to beat in the EM final, but said the path getting there will be a tough one as Stearns’ opponents in the Big East Conference feature depth and talent.

“We could send five teams from the Big East into the tourney,” Burleigh said.

The Minutemen’s quest for a tourney spot and a return to the EM title game centers around 5-foot-10 Trisha Ripton, a senior guard/forward who was a NEWS All-Maine first-team selection last season.

Ripton, who is being recruited by Division I colleges, is a fine all-around player which she again showed in Stearns’ season-opening victory over Brewer when she scored 17 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out eight assists.

“She can do what we need each night – score, pass or rebound,” Burleigh said. “Whatever she has to do to win she can.”

The Minutemen will also rely on strong efforts from 5-6 senior point guard Cory Santerre, who started last year, as well as returning frontcourt lettermen Melissa Leino (6-0) and Sarah Marshall (5-10).

Sophomore guard Kelly Gates (5-8) and junior guard Kristy Wedge (5-7) should also contribute, but Burleigh said depth could be a problem for Stearns. How well the bench develops, he added, could dictate how far the Minutemen could go.

BANGOR RAMS

Current record, last season: 1-0; No. 6 in EM Class A, 10-9, quarterfinal loss to Cony

Coach, year: Tom Tennett, 8th

Key returnees: senior point guard Courtney Parker (5-5), senior forward/guard Leah Thistle (5-10), senior forward Jeanne Englebrecht (5-9), senior forward Mary Estey (5-8), junior center Shari Nye (5-9), junior guard Mandy Ingalls (5-7), junior guard Michelle Puls (5-7), junior guard Tasanee Briggs (5-6), sophomore guard Sarah Parker (5-4)

Promising newcomers: sophomore guard Jill Partridge (5-4), sophomore guard Kelly Waterman (5-6), freshman forward Katie Clark (5-11)

Outlook: Bangor has great depth as it returns 10 lettermen. The depth gives the Rams the chance to keep a fresh team on the court as it uses an uptempo game. The Rams are aiming for another tourney spot and could contend for the EM title if they can develop good team chemistry and receive senior leadership.

BREWER WITCHES

Current record, last season: 1-1; No. 4, 12-7, lost in quarterfinals to Old Town

Coach, year: Tom Winston, 3rd

Key returnees: sophomore center Amanda Sevigny (5-8), sophomore forward Brynn Clough (5-7), sophomore guard Denise Hewes (5-4)

Promising newcomers: junior guard Chandra Blood (5-7), junior guard/forward Jenny Emery (5-7)

Outlook: The Witches are young as they start three sophomores and two juniors. They are a hard-working team, however, and will seek to improve each game as it gives its Big East opponents some competitive battles. As the young players develop, the Witches could surpise some teams.

CARIBOU

Current record, last season: 1-1; No. 15, 5-13

Coach, years: George Moran, 2nd

Key returnees: senior forward/center Allyson Plourde (5-8), senior guard Tammy Thibodeau (5-5), senior guard Anne Bernard (5-6), junior forward Kristie Putnam (5-8), junior forward/center Tricia Martin (5-8), junior guard Jenny Richards (5-5)

Promising newcomers: sophomore forward Erin Humphrey (5-8), sophomore forward Channa Jackson (5-9), freshman guard Jenny Hunter (5-5), freshman forward Erin Cole-Karagory (5-10)

Outlook: The Vikings are small and quick and will look to use those two factors to play an uptempo game. Moran wants his team to get lots of transition baskets and will rely on key play from returning starters Thibodeau, Plourde, and Bernard to vie for a tourney spot.

HAMPDEN BRONCOS

Current record, last season: 1-1; No. 11, 7-9

Coach, years: Clint Worthley, 9th

Key returnees: senior guard Jen Craig (5-4), junior guard Shelly Worthley (5-1), senior forward Sue Thompson (5-8), junior forward Heather Fortier (5-7), junior forward Amy Dwyer (5-9), senior forward Marcy Whitcomb (5-10)

Promising newcomers: sophomore center Eryn Leavitt (6-0), sophomore center Emily Leavitt (6-0), junior guard/forward Carrie Duley (5-7)

Outlook: The Broncos have the potential to be a very good team, but are inexperienced and could be hurt by a lack of consistency and the loss of Whitcomb (broken leg during soccer season), who returns in January. They should benefit inside from twin sisters Emily and Eryn Leavitt while Worthley and Craig will direct an uptempo offense. The Broncos will feature a more aggressive defense than past seasons.

NOKOMIS WARRIORS

Current record, last year: 0-1; No. 9, 9-11, lost in quarterfinals to Lawrence

Coach, years: Charles Wing, 2nd

Key returnees: junior guard/forward Laura Grumbach (5-8), sophomore forward/center Kelly Bowman (5-11), junior guard Betsy Buker (5-5), senior forward Rhonda Erskine (5-8), senior guard Tonya Draper (5-4)

Promising newcomers: freshman guard/forward Tate Burgess (5-7), sophmore guard Penny Stevens (5-6)

Outlook: The Warriors have good depth and could battle for one of the final tourney spots. Wing emphasizes defense and wants his team to hold its opponents to under 50 points each night. The success of the Warriors centers around Grumbach, an All-Big East selection who Wing describes as a creative offensive player.

OLD TOWN INDIANS

Current record, last year: 2-0, No. 5, 14-6, lost in semifinals to Lawrence

Coach, years: Garry Spencer, 9th

Key returnees: senior guard Betsy McLaughlin (5-9), senior center Stephanie Smith (6-0), senior guard Niele Thibodeau (5-8), sophomore forward Shannon Field (5-9), junior forward Jill DeGrasse (5-10)

Promising newcomers: junior guard Heidi Cote (5-5), junior guard/forward Erika Nadeau (5-6), junior forward Kyla Malbon (5-9), junior forward Tanya Sibley (5-10), senior center Jen LePage (5-9)

Outlook: The Indians are again aiming for the tourney and could get there behind a strong frontcourt and some promising guards who could develop well as the season progresses. Old Town returned five lettermen, including starters McLaughlin and Smith. They will be counted on to help lead Old Town’s uptempo attack.

PRESQUE ISLE WILDCATS

Current record, last season: 0-2; No. 10, 8-10

Coach, year: Dick Barstow, 6th

Key returnees: senior center Candy Cullins (5-9), junior forward Shari Scullion (5-8), senior forward Renee Carter (5-8)

Promising newcomers: sophomore point guard Jessica Flannery (5-5), junior forward/center Cindy Gardner (5-7), senior point guard Danielle Derosier (5-2)

Outlook: The Wildcats have fairly good size and depth, but are looking for offensive production. They may struggle early on, but Barstow is confident the team can improve and make a run for the tourney if at least two consistent scorers can step forward and if it can limit turnovers.

STEARNS MINUTEMEN

Current record, last season: 1-0; No. 2, 18-3, lost in EM finals to Lawrence

Coach, years: Jerry Burleigh, 12th

Key returnees: senior guard/forward Trisha Ripton, senior point guard Cory Santerre (5-6), senior center Melissa Leino (6-0), senior forward Sarah Marshall (5-10)

Promising newcomers: sophomore guard Kelly Gates (5-8), junior guard Kristy Wedge (5-7)

Outlook: Stearns’ first five are strong, featuring all-around standout Ripton and point guard Santerre. To return to the EM final, however, the Minutemen will need more contributions from their bench. Stearns will look to push the ball on offense, but will be more of a half-court team on defense.