The No. 3 Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln girls basketball team, which nearly knocked off eventual state champion Waterville in the semifinals last year, will open the Eastern Maine Class B tournament tonight at the Bangor Auditorium.

The Lynx, who take a 17-2 record into the postseason, face No. 11 Belfast (9-10) at 7:35, followed by a quarterfinal matchup between No. 2 John Bapst of Bangor (18-1) and No. 7 Mount View of Thorndike (13-6).

The 2007 state Class B champion Panthers, who are 18-0, get on the Auditorium floor for the first time Saturday as they play No. 9 Old Town (12-7) at 3:35 p.m.

Fourth-ranked Bangor is among eight teams playing in the Eastern Maine Class A quarterfinals Friday afternoon and night at the Augusta Civic Center. The 14-4 Rams meet No. 5 Oxford Hills of South Paris (12-6) at 7 p.m.

Defending state champion Cony of Augusta opens the Class A tourney when the No. 3 Rams (16-2) take on No. 6 Brunswick (13-6) at 3 p.m., followed by a matchup between No. 2 Morse of Bath (15-3) and No. 10 Skowhegan (11-8). After the Bangor-Oxford Hills game, top-seeded Lawrence of Fairfield (17-1) takes on No. 8 Messalonskee of Oakland (10-9). The Eagles were the 2007 EM runners-up.

The process of finding new regional champions for Classes C and D begins next week.

Dexter, which had won five straight regional Class C titles, did not make the tournament this year, while 2007 Class D state winner Lee Academy moved up to Class C.

The EM Class D quarterfinals start Monday morning. Top seed Washburn (16-2), the EM Class D runner-up in 2007, makes its postseason debut Monday at 8:35 p.m. against No. 9 Katahdin of Stacyville (8-11).

The Class C quarterfinals begin Tuesday afternoon, with No. 1 Houlton (17-1) on the floor for the first time Wednesday at 11:05 a.m. against No. 8 Fort Kent (15-4).

Valley of Bingham and Vinalhaven open the Western Maine Class D tourney Monday at the Augusta Civic Center. The No. 3 Vikings (13-5) face No. 6 Greater Portland Christian (10-6) at 10 a.m., followed by the No. 2 Cavaliers (12-5) against No. 7 Rangeley (7-11) at 11:30.

jbloch@bangordailynews.net

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