It’s the end of an era for four-time defending Eastern Maine champion and 2006 state titlist Dexter.

This is the final season for 6-foot-6 senior Mallory Ames, the younger of the sister duo – 6-4 forward Ashley Ames, a 2005 Dexter graduate, was the older sister – that has helped Dexter dominate Eastern Maine Class C basketball in recent years.

The Tigers would like to end the era on top, but there are plenty of teams who have developed their own post players and could prove tough matchups for Dexter.

Forwards and centers such as Washington Academy of East Machias’ Ashley Tilton, Stearns of Millinocket’s Deanna Michaud, Houlton’s Rachel Foster, and Penobscot Valley of Howland’s Kelsy Lavertu have all had stellar regular seasons and are hoping to lead their team to a regional title.

Washington Academy looks to be the top seed for the tournament with the program’s first-ever undefeated season, including wins over tough Downeast Athletic Conference rivals Narraguagus of Harrington and Calais and Class D contenders Woodland and Lee.

Stearns, Houlton, and Penobscot Valley will likely round out the top five seeds.

Dexter will likely go into the tournament with a 17-1 record and one of the top three spots. The Tigers’ only loss came against Penobscot Valley 57-50 on Dec. 11, but they avenged that defeat with a 68-40 win on Feb. 2. Ames scored 40 points in the rematch.

The key to the Tigers’ season has been the maturation of its backcourt, which has young players – sophomore point guard Miranda Gove transferred to Dexter this year – and players like Chelsie Chambers and Lindsay Burton in more guard-oriented positions than they’re used to.

“I think you’re seeing the evolution and maturity and growth of a team that we hoped was going to get to this particular point,” head coach Jody Grant said. “We’re doing a pretty good job, other than at times, breaking pressure. Kids are getting better and better. We have our dry spells, but I think defensively we’re getting better. We’re really putting the clamps on people.”

Those guards have been critical as the Tigers have made a living in the paint. Ames has averaged about 25 points and 13 rebounds per game, followed by 5-11 senior forward Katie Poirier, who averages 16.5 points and 9.6 rebounds, and has put up some huge numbers in the games Ames has been double-teamed.

“We have our two big players inside,” Grant said. “They’ve got to get touches.”

Dexter has also relied on guard Michelle Chapman off the bench. Chapman missed last season with a thumb injury.

Washington Academy also has a lot of height with 5-10 forwards Tilton and Megan Look. Tilton scored her 1,000th point this year to become the first WA girl to reach that milestone. The Raiders are also dangerous because their guards, including point guard Kayla Wood, Lauren Finn, Carilla Fritz, along with forward Andi Flannery, have all contributed on offense.

Houlton, which split with Stearns this year, might have the height to match up with the Tigers, especially with the 6-2 Foster having a fine season with 18.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per game.

The Shiretowners made a change this season to move the 5-9 Keegan Hovey from a guard role to more of a post player. She’s averaging 11 points and eight rebounds per game.

“We like our inside game,” Houlton coach Shawn Graham said. “Anytime you go to Bangor, you like that. We hate to rely on that perimeter game. It’s nice to have that when [the defense] starts doubling down and you can kick it out.”

Graham also has the Shires playing more of a running style and relying less on a half-court offense with 5-8 freshman Vanessa Sanderson starting at the point guard position. That allows Houlton to push the ball more, Graham added.

Houlton also gets scoring from guard Emily Bartlett and 5-9 forward Victoria Rowe, who comes off the bench.

The Minutemen rely on a variety of scorers, including 5-8 forward Michaud, 6-foot center Angela MacDonald, and point guard Felicia Achorn, while forward Amy Collinsworth is considered one of the top defenders in the region.

Penobscot Valley, which started the season on an 8-0 tear, has looked to its stellar 3-point shooters Morgan Cyr and Mindy Dolley. Dolley (Penquis of Milo) and point guard Casey McCloskey (Mattanawcook of Lincoln) were both transfers who became key to the Howlers’ regular-season success, as did 6-foot forward Lavertu.

Fort Kent, which will likely sit in the sixth or seventh spot by the start of the tourney, is considered by several coaches to be a dangerous lower seed. The Warriors have a host of excellent shooters.