Classes B, C, D teams geared up to tip off tonight Windjammers open at Maranacook

Camden Hills girls basketball team will open its season tonight against the team that could turn out to be the Windjammers’ toughest opponent.

And it doesn’t faze coach Jay Carlsen one bit.

“I don’t know,” he said. “We opened with them last year and lost two close games against them.”

Last winter’s season-opening loss to the Black Bears of Readfield didn’t hurt Camden Hills too much in the long run. The Windjammers went 12-6 in the regular season, earned the No. 8 seed for the Eastern Maine Class B playoffs, and emerged from the tournament as the regional champion.

Camden Hills eventually lost to Greely of Cumberland Center in the state final, but the Windjammers will start their Eastern Maine title defense tonight as play in Classes B, C and D begins tonight.

The regular season for all sports except Class A basketball also starts Friday night. The Class A teams can start playing games next Friday night.

Eastern Maine Class C teams will be in heavy action Friday night, too.

The Dexter girls basketball team kicks off its season, as the defending Class C state champion Tigers will host Piscataquis of Guilford. It’s a matchup of two new coaches as Dexter’s Jody Grant will face Brian Gaw of Piscataquis.

Calais will travel to Mattanawcook of Lincoln, Penobscot Valley of Howland visits Penquis of Milo and Stearns of Millinocket hosts George Stevens of Blue Hill in what could be three key early season Class C games. Houlton also heads to Madawaska Friday.

The Camden Hills-Maranacook game is likely the anticipated game on Friday’s KVAC Class B schedule, although the matchup between Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield and Winslow, which are both laden with returning talent, will also be one to watch.

Lee Academy, the Eastern Maine Class D winner, hosts Class C Washington Academy of East Machias Saturday in what will likely be a good test for both squads.

Camden Hills features one of the top backcourts in the state with guards Marianne Croce, last year’s tourney MVP Samantha Wiley, and Kayla Gushee. Maranacook has one of the top guards around in Toby Martin, who was a first-team All-Maine honoree last year.

For the Windjammers, there is a bright side to opening the season on the road against the Black Bears.

“It means we get them at home later in the year,” Carlsen said.