For the past two years, the Woodland girls basketball team has vanquished all comers in the Eastern Maine Class D tournament. Then, the Dragons went out and won two straight state crowns.

This year, because of graduation and the improvement of other teams, defending those titles will be a stiffer challenge than ever.

Woodland lost Ashley Marble and Julia Knights, two of the best basketball players in the state last year, but the Dragons have a very solid foundation of returning players, including a heady point guard, a strong forward-center, a clutch of experienced role players and freshmen who could have an impact in the coming months.

And expect the Dragons to play with the same intensity as they did last year.

“We still want to put pressure on the ball and force teams to play baseline-to-baseline,” Woodland coach Arnie Clark said.

Guard Kaitlyn Leeman and forward Katie Smith, along with guard Erika Brown, are Woodland’s returning starters. Those three will again be in the lineup this year, along with guard Megan Lord and guard-forward Lauren Troiani.

Clark said Leeman has emerged as a team leader.

“She’s just got more energy than she’s ever had,” he said. “She’s really taken on a leadership role for us.”

Lord came off the bench last year and Troiani started several games last year when Marble was out with an injury.

The Dragons certainly won’t be lacking for height, as 5-10 forward Val Knights and 5-11 forward Kati Holmes will come off the bench. Other key subs will be Kelsy Snowman, Alicia Vose and Phylicia Seavey.

Freshmen Michelle Ferry and Lacey Gillespie could see playing time this winter. Ferry is a versatile 5-9 forward and guard Gillespie, Clark said, is the quickest player on the team.

Clark said he hasn’t talked to his team about a return to the state game. But don’t be surprised if Woodland and Lee clash at the Auditorium.

After a breakout freshman season, Lee sophomore Shelby Pickering should lead the Pandas deep into the playoffs again this season. The Pandas were the regional runners-up last year.

Aside from losing graduated starters Deidra Ham and Kristin Bird, and Katie Harris, who transferred to Brewer, the Pandas should be in good shape. That’s because Pickering returns, as do forward Sam Cole and guard Ashlee Gifford. Kristin Hersom, who started in the EM final, and Brittany Mallett were key off the bench last year.

Pickering, a stellar all-around athlete, is a solid 5-10 forward who regularly outmuscles taller, bigger opponents.

“She knows she’s going to be the focus of a lot of double teams and she’s smart enough to pass the ball,” Lee coach Carrie Goodhue said. “Her assists are way up but her rebounding is still strong and her scoring is right there.”

Goodhue said Pickering has also been working on her perimeter game and ball-handling. Not that Lee doesn’t have a solid point guard in Gifford. “She’s our little coach out on the floor,” Goodhue said. “Her role will be getting it to the hot hand.” Hersom and Mallett are two of Lee’s top defenders. The 6-foot Hersom will play more of a guard role, which makes her a dangerous matchup as she is one of the Pandas’ better shooters. Cole will play at a forward spot and is in the back of Lee’s zone defense, where Goodhue said she gets a lot of steals. Lee has played zone but teams could see more of a defensive mix this year. “We’ve been working on a man defense and man traps,” Goodhue said. “We’re a little quicker this year so we can do that.”

Limestone, in one coach’s estimation, will be one of the top teams in Aroostook County regardless of class. The Eagles entire starting lineup of Jessica Stackhouse, Ashley Brooker, Traci Weatherhead, Nikki Michaud and Jacinda St. Pierre is back after leading Limestone to a 14-4 record last year.

The Eagles have some nice size as well. At 5-6 St. Pierre is the shortest player on the roster and the team will have two 5-10 players, Kay Porter and Haley Redmond, on the bench.

Some coaches look for East Grand of Danforth to contend at the tournament. The Vikings return 5-10 forward Chantel Parker, 5-9 forward Amanda Godley, 5-8 guard Paula Osnoe and guards Marie Gilman an Gina Zaneldin.

Shead welcomes back guard Samantha Davis, who has been one of the top players in the Downeast Athletic Conference, as well as likely starters Kristen Beaulieu, Vanessa McPhail, Apryl Stubbs and Nadine Bouchard.

Bangor Christian, a perennial tournament entry, will also contend this year. The Patriots have serious height in the frontcourt – Pam Reitsma, Emily Jenkins and Jenna Seymour are all listed at 6-0 or taller. Danielle Miller, a 5-8 guard, is healthy after missing most of last year with an injury and BC has a promising freshman in guard Kelly Miller.

County schools Central Aroostook of Mars Hill and Southern Aroostook of Dyer Brook are also loaded again this year. Central Aroostook’s returners include guard Gabrielle Smith, 5-10 center Stevi Fletcher and forward Jocelyn Carvell. Southern Aroostook welcomes back point guard Nicki Lyons, who averaged 12 points and seven assists per game last year, forward Olivia McGary, and 5-9 center Tiffany Hartin.

Van Buren had a big graduation loss in top-notch guard Nicole Corbin, but the Crusaders welcome back starters Tosha Gagnon, Andrea Doucette, Danielle Gagnon and 6-1 Michelle Parent. The Crusaders went 15-4 last year.