Top Boys Teams in Eastern Maine Class B

Camden-Rockport

Coach/Years: Jeff Hart, 12th year.

Last season: 14-4, lost to John Bapst in Eastern Maine Class B semifinals.

Key players returning: F Mike Geisler, 6-3, Sr.; G Corey Staples, 6-0, Sr.; C Dale Lindrith, 6-7, Jr.; G-F Ben Laukka, Sr., 6-1; C-F Ian McKenzie, 6-2, Jr.

Newcomers: G Nathan Travers, 5-10, So.; G Andrew Dailey, 5-10, Jr.; F Matt Weatherwax, 6-2, Jr.

Outlook: Geisler (22 ppg, 12 rpg) is, arguably, the best player in EM Class B this season, and, with Landrith a year older and a few inches taller, some coaches are looking at the Windjammers as the “team to beat.” It’s a role Hart says his team is ready to take on. After pushing deeper into the tournament over the last two years, Camden-Rockport followers are hoping this is the year the ‘Jammers finally sail away with some hardware.

Fort Kent

Coach/Years: Larry Murphy, 3rd.

Last season: 8-11, lost to Rockland in Eastern Maine Class B quarterfinals.

Key players returning: G Laughn Berthiaume, 5-10, Sr.; F Brad Currier, 6-0, Sr.; F Derek McBreairity, 6-0, Sr.; F Corey Thibodeau, 6-1, So.; G Ryan Martin, 5-10, So.; G Shawn Lovely, 5-11, Sr.; F Jeff Pelletier, 6-1, Jr.; C Matt Thibodeau, 6-3, So.

Newcomers: F Damien Michaud, 5-11, Sr.; F Ben Collings, 5-11, Sr.

Outlook: Yes, it will be Fort Kent basketball, although it will look more like an indoor track meet at times. The Warriors plan to run, run, and run a little more while playing any type of full-court pressure defense available. Berthiaume averaged 21 ppg and 7.5 assists per game last season and is expected to come back even better. He can also hit the three. Just ask Calais, which saw Berthiaume throw in nine in one game last season. Hunger is another factor. After two straight first-round tourney defeats, the Warriors want to make the long trip to Bangor worthwhile.

Rockland

Coach/Years: Don Guilford, 1st.

Last season: 11-8, lost to John Bapst in Eastern Maine Class B championship game.

Key players returning: F Mike Norton, 6-2, Sr.; G Andrew Cataline, 6-0, Sr.; G James York, 5-9, Sr.; G Ryan Baker, 5-11, Sr.; F Chris Seavey, 6-3, Jr.; G-F Darren Goeke, 6-0, Sr., C Jarrod Gledhill, 6-4, Sr.

Newcomers: G Bryce Black, 5-8, Jr.; F Shawn Savage, 6-1, Jr.; G Bill Gerry, 5-8, Sr.; F Cam Brown, 6-3, So.

Outlook: You may not recognize the Tigers this season. Guilford has transformed the team from a walk-it-up style of game to a running game. Once the transition is completed, the Tigers might be right back in the thick of things. A player to watch is Brown, whose father Cam was a former star at UM-Farmington.

Players to watch

Mark Baxter, John Bapst, 6-1, Sr.; David Winchester, Bucksport, 5-10, Jr.; Jared Polchies, Mount Desert Island, 6-1, Sr.; Chuck Graham, Maine Central Institute, 6-3, Sr.; Nate Ballard, Orono, 6-4, Sr.; John Cox, Belfast, 6-7, Sr.; Duane Walton, Foxcroft Academy, 6-4, Sr.