After watching the Central Aroostook Panthers of Mars Hill and the Deer Isle-Stonington Mariners clash for the Eastern Maine Class D championship the last two seasons, many coaches and keen schoolboy basketball observers figured this would a breakthrough year for other teams.

Even the coaches of the regional finalist teams expected a wide open tournament.

So what did we have as high school teams entered their final week of regular season play?

Hmmm… Central Aroostook was unbeaten and atop the EM Class D heap, a full 171/2 points ahead of the Mariners, who were only 15-2 with 71.48 points – a comfortable 16 points up on Woodland, the next-closest team and just one of four teams almost tethered to each other in the mid-50’s and almost constantly swapping spots 4-7 on a weekly basis.

“Nobody’s really reeling off a bunch of wins. They’re all splitting with each other and no one’s really caught fire down the stretch,” said Panthers coach Tim Brewer, referring to that mid-level tourney-bound pack. “Class D’s a little different this year. I don’t think there’s a real dominant team. I wouldn’t consider us dominant.”

Um, 17-0 with one game left isn’t dominant?

“We’re very solid defensively. This is probably one of the better defensive teams I’ve had. We’re not as solid offensively, but we can still score,” he said.

And score a few turnovers.

“We don’t usually get pressed too often,” Brewer said with a chuckle. “We do the pressing.”

The speedy Panthers are led by 5-foot-11 shooting guard Cameron York and Manny Martinez. The rest of the starting five includes freshman Logan McLaughlin and fraternal twins and forwards Logan McCarthy and Blake McCarthy. Other regulars include forward Casey Brewer and guards Mitchell Folsom and Caleb Kelley.

Mariners coach Glenn Billings isn’t surprised to see the Panthers atop the standings. He’s seen their talent firsthand the last two years en route to regional titles.

“I would definitely look at CA, us, and Woodland as real serious threats for the title and teams like Shead and Ashland as not-so-dark horses. Shead is probably one of the bigger teams in Class D,” Billings said.

Even after losing four starters to graduation, Billings’ squad is still among the elite.

“We’ve been pretty fortunate to get back up the ladder again and hopefully make a tournament run,” he said. “The guys who came in to fill roles have done a nice job taking care of the ball and working together very well offensively and defensively.”

The Mariners are built around 6-4 senior center Colin Ciomei, but 6-foot forward Eben Powers has stepped in to become a force and give them a 1-2 punch. The development of shooting guard Joe Carter has become a legit third scoring option as well.

Evan Rollins plays the point and Doug Boutilier starts at forward. Ethan Pinkham and Dustin Powers fill in at guard and Drew Eaton spells the big guys underneath.

“Last year we went deeper into the bench and had five standouts as starters,” Billings said. “This year we revolve more around two talented guys and a strong supporting cast and we only go three deep on the bench.”

They may not be as deep, but the Mariners have something only the Panthers can also boast.

“We have five tournament-tested players back from last year,” he said. “And you’re not going to find too many teams in the field this year that were there last year. I think Easton, Ashland, [Southern Aroostook], Machias and Shead and Woodland are all new teams.”

That’s not to say the other teams aren’t capable of contending for a title.

“There are quite a few County teams up in the upper tier. A lot of them are equal and can beat each other on any given day,” Brewer said.

Woodland certainly can. Troy Cilley’s Dragons are young, but experienced with four junior starters and one sophomore. Chad James, Ben Sears, Aaron St. Pierre, Spencer Brown and Keith Curtis start with key reserves being Ed Flaherty and Scott Boomer.

“Ashland has good size with a couple of 6-4, 6-5 guys and good guard play. Fort Fairfield has a lot of good guards and shooters,” said Brewer. “Easton has [Jeremy] Brock inside and [Brad] Trask is a good guard, shooter and all-around scorer.”

Regardless of win-loss record, Heal point totals, seeding, or even talent, both Billings and Brewer know it comes down to one factor.

“I know we haven’t lost any games, but I don’t like to say who the favorite is,” Brewer said. “The key is who can put together three good games in a row.”