With four starters back from a team that won the 2007 Class B state title, the Waterville girls basketball team is considered a favorite to repeat as Eastern Maine champion.

With two starters back, 2007 runner-up John Bapst of Bangor is, too. Mattanawcook of Lincoln didn’t graduate anyone. Old Town moved into Class B from Class A. The always-tough Camden Hills girls have a host of starters back.

Although most coaches agree the regional championship will go through Waterville, there are a host of contenders who have the ability to knock off the Panthers.

First, they’d have to get past Waterville’s blend of skilled height in Eastern Maine Class B tourney MVP Morgan Frame, an athletic 5-foot-11 center, and stellar guard play with Stephanie Whitten, Paige Gardiner and Sarah Given.

Although John Bapst graduated three starters, the Crusaders have a lot of scoring, rebounding and experience back at every position, along with a transfer who will help immediately.

Bapst’s strength will again be its post play as the strong 5-11 center Hillary Laferriere returns to be paired with 6-footer Samantha Gormley.

Gormley didn’t start last year but played crucial minutes in the tournament.

“She got a lot of key minutes last year, which a lot of people don’t remember,” Webb said. “That was so valuable for her confidence this year. … Hillary, she’s a workhorse. She’s double- and triple-teamed, people laying on her, and she just keeps going.”

Eve Jordan, who also shined off the bench last year, will start along with returning guard Samantha Maquillan. The Crusaders also added guard Morgan Chasse, a transfer from Bangor Christian who had a stellar soccer season and has already had a strong start this winter.

“Morgan’s a very good athlete. She’s very strong defensively and just a great addition to our team,” Webb said.

Amber Estes and Kristy Moriarty will spell the guards.

“We’ve actually gone 9-10 off the bench in our first two games,” Webb added. “We’re deep.”

Bapst might be the defending Eastern Maine runner-up, but Webb believes Mattanawcook is the team to beat in the Big East Conference.

That’s because the Lynx have all five starters back and didn’t graduate anyone off of last year’s team that made it to the regional semifinals.

“We kind of really, really jelled [last year] and they adapted to the way I like to coach,” coach Brian McDormand said. “The spirits are high, the expectations are high, but you can’t really look ahead of anybody.”

MA’s top five include sisters Brianna Hanscom, a 5-9 forward who averaged 17 points and seven rebounds last year, and guard Brooke Hanscom, and guards Michelle Paul and Denielle NiCastro.

Marjorie Nesin, a 6-1 center, heads up a deep group of frontcourt players, including 5-9 forwards Kristy Burleigh and Erin Anderson and 5-9 center Jordynn Hawkins.

“We sort of have had a center by committee this year and last year,” McDormand said. “I’ve got three senior centers and a junior center, but no one’s really been consistent enough where they can really grab that spot.”

Brianna DeRaps will play some point guard this year and will likely be crucial off the bench as the Lynx will again play an uptempo game and a full-court, trapping defense.

In the KVAC, Camden Hills brings back four strong seniors from last winter. Forward Allie Parent, who is 5-9, returns along with 5-8 forward Kristin Tedford, 5-7 forward Chelsea LaBree and 5-6 guard Kate Fetterman. Coach Jay Carlson also added a senior who didn’t play last year, Hannah Farley.

The youngsters on this year’s squad didn’t get as much playing time last season, but Carlson is trying to work them in early now to prepare for what the Windjammers are hoping will be a deep postseason run.

Guard Julia Nason and 5-9 forward Sarah Waldron make up the junior class. Carlson has also been starting two sophomores, 5-10 forward Maddie Smeaton and guard Gabe Duke. Sophomore forwards Allie Holmes and Lauren Jeschke will also figure into the mix.

“I really like this team,” Carlson said. “The younger kids are working hard. But the leadership that we get from the seniors is really going to impact how the rest of the team develops. They’re really making those young kids feel like they’re a part of things.”

Belfast, which graduated a lot of its starters, has a well-regarded freshman point guard, Julie Smith, who could make the Lions contenders in the KVAC again this year. Rockland and Winslow also return a lot of players.

Hermon and Caribou, which didn’t make the tournament last year, should be improved.

The Hawks have a strong group of guards, including returning starters Hillary Keith and Katie Durgin, along with Erin Arnold, to score and get the ball inside to 5-10 center Ashley Kelley, a softball standout who has a full scholarship to the University of Maine next year. Emily Berglund, a 5-8 forward, has also been starting. The Vikings return forwards Ali Richards and Kristen Espling. Guards Katie Ouellette and Amanda Cyr, along with center Karyn King, will also start.

Central of Corinth and Old Town, both new to Class B this year after moving from Class C and Class A, respectively, are also considered contenders this winter.

The Red Devils bring back 5-8 Rachel Trafton, Kelsie McHugh and Sami Morin, all guards, and added two freshmen in 6-4 center Rebakah Campbell, who is already drawing raves, and Roberta Trafton, Rachel’s sister.

The Coyotes, who struggled to a 1-17 season in Class A last year – their only win came against Bangor – should look better this year with Jenna King, Sarah Wilcox, Ashley Goodwin and Cally Randall among Old Town’s top returning players.