When the Eastern Maine high school basketball tournament begins today at the Bangor Auditorium and the Augusta Civic Center, it will serve as a showcase for some of the brightest stars in the sport.

Ryan Martin of Maranacook of Readfield, Corey DeWitt of Ellsworth, Sean McNally of Gardiner, Alex Gallant of Bangor, Troy Barnies of Edward Little of Auburn and Brandon Tomah of Calais are just a few of the standouts who will try to lead their teams to championship glory.

But another key ingredient in the recipe for success rests beyond the spotlight that shines so brightly on those with starring roles.

They are the role players, those perhaps quite not as blessed with basketball-specific skills, but with the effort, courage and determination to use the tools they have to help their team win.

Few fit that description better than Jeff and Jarrod Robinson, twin forwards for the Piscataquis of Guilford basketball team.

Looking for numbers? Well look elsewhere, because the Robinsons’ game isn’t about statistics.

Jeff Robinson, a third-year starter, is averaging 3.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Jarrod Robinson, like his brother a fourth-year varsity player, comes off the bench to average less than a point and 2.1 rebounds per contest.

Yet they are integral players on a team that is 17-1, ranked second in Eastern Maine Class C, and bringing a 15-game winning streak to Tuesday’s quarterfinal against the winner of Thursday’s prelim between No. 7 Dexter and No. 10 Narraguagus of Harrington.

“Their stats don’t look much different than the 11th, 12th or 13th guy on the roster, but they play a lot of minutes and do a lot of things for us,” said PCHS coach Jamie Russell. “They don’t turn the ball over, they play very, very good defense, and they’ll set screens because they understand we have some kids who will shoot.

“They have great court awareness, and they don’t panic. They see the situation for what it is, and do what they have to do.”

Therein lies the Robinsons’ job description, and perhaps just as crucial to their contribution is their understanding and acceptance of that role.

“We realized a while ago that because of the fact we don’t put up outrageous numbers, that we needed to rebound, play defense and take care of the ball if we wanted to play,” said Jarrod.

That, too, is borne out statistically. Jeff Robinson has just eight turnovers while playing in 65 of a possible 68 quarters in 17 games this winter. Jarrod has nine turnovers in 61 quarters.

Neither rates himself as a stellar dribbler, but each is important as an outlet when defenses focus their on Pirates’ standouts Roy Burdin and Mike Wharff, as well as fellow starters Shane Tracy and Brandon London.

“These aren’t guys who give up possessions,” said Russell.

And while their rebounding statistics aren’t earth-shattering, it’s just as much about the rebounds they don’t allow their opponents to get for the Robinsons.

“Rebounding is all about trying really hard, there’s not a lot of skill to it,” said Jeff. “That’s one of coach’s favorite things. If I get 12 rebounds in a game, that’s good, but it’s just as important for me to keep my guy off the boards.”

For the 5-foot-10 forwards, that task involves anticipating the shot and where the rebound is headed, and boxing out usually taller opponents. Once a rebound is secured, another decision awaits – what to do with the ball.

“Sometimes I go back up with it, and find it doesn’t work in my favor,” said Jarrod, “so if I can pull it back out and reset the offense that’s the best thing to do. We?ve got a 6-5 guy [Burdin] in the post and a guy who can shoot from the outside in Mike, so it’s best to get the ball to those guys.”

If there’s any complaint about the Robinsons’ play, it’s that they don’t shoot enough – allowing rival defenses to cheat their defenders into the lane in a one-man zone of sort.

“Coach talks about that with us,” said Jeff. “Jarrod shoots the 3 pretty well in practice, and I can shoot from 15 feet in, and sometimes I shoot to make the other team guard me.”

The Robinsons are part of a strong senior class at PCHS that won an Eastern Maine championship in boys soccer last fall.

But basketball has produced postseason frustration for the Pirates, including three straight losses in the EM quarterfinals, the last two years to neighboring Dexter.

While PCHS seeks a different result during Tourney Week 2007, Jeff and Jarrod Robinson will approach their roles the same way they have their first three years in Bangor, with strength and subtlety.

“When the team plays well, that’s when I’m satisfied,” said Jeff. “We just try to help the team win.”