ROCKLAND – Long known as a team that loves to shoot 3-pointers, the Camden Hills boys basketball team showed that this version loves to play defense as well.

The Windjammers pressed Rockland all over the floor Friday night, rarely allowing the Tigers to get into their offensive sets and left for the short ride home with a 68-46 win.

Camden Hills, the defending Class B state champs, improved to 14-2 while Rockland lost for the 11th time in 16 games.

Tim Stammen showed why he is often mentioned as one of the more complete players in Eastern Maine. The senior showed his range from posting up inside to a steady outside shot. Stammen finished with 26 points but preferred to talk about his team’s defense.

“We’ve always played strong defense. That’s one of our big emphasis’ in practice is to work hard on our ‘D’ and I think we work harder than most people,” Stammen said.

It showed. Particularly in the second quarter when Rockland turned the ball over 13 times. Most of the turnovers came before the Tigers could get the ball into the frontcourt and set up their offense.

Camden Hills extended its man-to-man defense to full court throughout the game, sliding into traps that Rockland was unable to break.

Despite their success in forcing the Tigers into mistakes, the Windjammers could have done much better than a halftime lead of 31-24. Camden Hills was guillty of not taking good care of the ball, committing eight turnovers in the second quarter.

Stammen said he wasn’t concerned. The Windjammers’ offense, he believes is still a work in progress.

“That will come. As long as we work on our defense, our offense is coming along. We’ll have less and less turnovers as the season goes along. I know we don’t have much time but we’ll get there,” Stammen said.

In fact, the Windjammers “got there” in the second half. They took much better care of the ball and Stammen’s brother, Greg Stammen, worked the boards for nine hard-earned points.

Camden Hills also used its press to turn Rockland mistakes into layups or trips to the free throw line where the Windjammers hit 16 of 24 attempts.

The Windjammers also showed they aren’t shy from behind the arc, hitting on 5 of 15 attempts. Stammen connected on three of the long-range shots. He said that coach Jeff Hart doesn’t mind seeing 3-pointers being taken.

“One of our traits, Camden-Rockport basketball is 3-point shooting,” he said. “We work on it in practice. One of the things about coach Hart that’s great. If you take a bad three every once in a while he doesn’t get on you, so you’re not thinking, ‘Should I take this three?’ ”

Casey Brown and Aaron Creamer provided a good inside presence for the Tigers once Rockland was able to get into its set. Brown finished with 13 points while Creamer had eight. Junior Andy Cousens have seven points for the Tigers.

Rockland coach Buddy Wood was philosophical about the loss.

“They’re relentless. They came keep coming at you. It’s easy to see why they’re number one,” Wood said. “Their defensive pressure is outstanding. They can go 10 deep. They have a good chance at the tournament.”

WINDJAMMERS 68, TIGERS 46

Camden Hills (14-2) Rockland (5-11)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Davis 1 3 2 2 5 Davis 0 0 0

Crupi 2 6 1 2 6 Gushee 0 0 0

Moro 0 0 0 0 0 Curtis 0 1 0 0

Beveridge 0 0 0 0 0 Worster 0 3 3

Draper 1 2 0 0 2 Cousens 2 3 7

Horn 0 4 0 0 0 Gammon 0 1 4 4

T. Stammen 8 12 5 7 26 Brown 5 8 13

G. Stammen 4 7 1 1 9 Ross 0 0 0

Fitzgerald 0 2 2 2 2 Hynes 0 1 0

Aylward 1 3 2 2 5 Creamer 2 4 8

Scamfer 1 1 1 2 3 Grade 2 2 5

Massey 1 6 0 2 2 Podziewski 0 0

Fitzpatrick 0 0 0 0 0 Levenseler 3 6

Puls 1 2 2 2 4

Dennen 2 2 0 2 4

Totals 22 50 16 24 68 Totals 14 28 18 24 46

Camden Hills 15 31 49 68

Rockland 9 24 33 46

3-pt. goals ? Camden Hills (5-15): T. Stammen 3-6, Aylward 1-2, Crupi 1-2, Horn 0-2, Fitzgerald 0-2, G. Stammen 0-1; Rockland (0-2): Gammon 0-1, Worster 0-1

Attendance: 900 (est.)

Preliminary: Rockland JVs 75-62