Dexter center Mallory Ames is just a freshman, but she’s already made a lot of progress from the beginning of the season.

That’s according to Mallory’s sister Ashley, a junior center for the Tigers.

“She’s moving a lot better than she was in the beginning,” Ashley Ames said after last Friday’s 72-35 win at Central of Corinth. “In the beginning you couldn’t get her to move on defense. But now she’s actually cutting to the ball and she’s had a few steals.”

The Ames sisters, who make up the tallest frontcourt in the state, have been the subject of a lot of attention because of their heights: Ashley is 6-foot-4, Mallory is 6-6.

There’s likely been added pressure because of the expectations for the Tigers this year. Dexter, the defending Eastern Maine Class C champ, was 11-0 after a win over Schenck of East Millinocket on Saturday.

Mallory has handled the situation well, Ashley said.

“She’s just a freshman and all this excitement’s probably crazy for her,” Ashley Ames said. “I think she takes it all right. She gets a little anxious before games, but I don’t think it’s too bad. She did alright tonight.”

Ashley Ames scored 24 points and Mallory Ames added 12 in the win over Central.

MPA Web site invaluable

With the first half of the Classes B, C and D high school basketball season in the books, the weeklong regional tournaments loom.

Anyone who plans to step foot in the Bangor Auditorium, Augusta Civic Center or Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland can find out all they want to know about the tournament schedule and instructions on the Maine Principals Association Web site.

The schedule and instructions – useful for fans, players, coaches, school officials, bands, and cheerleaders – can be accessed at www.mpa.cc. Then click on “Late-Breaking News.”

The tournament for Classes B, C and D starts Feb. 13 with a boys Class B quarterfinal game at 3:05 p.m.

The Class A tournament opens Feb. 27.

The tourney schedule for Classes B, C and D has changed this year. The schedule will now feature girls and boys quarterfinals and semifinals back-to-back in one session, rather than the alternating girls-boys games of previous years.

The change does not affect the Class A schedule.

Rams, Witches wear same suits

Bangor and Brewer may be traditional rivals, but it was hard to tell one team from the other during the annual dual meet between the teams last week.

Both the Rams and the Witches wore the same uniform of black racing trunks with an orange-and-red design up and down the sides.

Brewer’s traditional colors are orange and black; Bangor’s are maroon and white.

It’s a big coincidence, of course, that the teams are wearing the same suit.

“We don’t really pick out the shorts together,” said Brewer senior Gilman Thibeault. “We don’t care about that. We just like to swim.”

The rivalry doesn’t get too heated, anyway.

“We like the Brewer guys,” Bangor senior Ben Hoke said. “We talk in the locker room. They’re good kids.”

Jessica Bloch can be reached at 990-8193, 1-800-310-8600 or jbloch@bangordailynews.net.