Looking for the same Camden Hills team that won the Eastern Maine Class B title last year?

Well, you won’t find it. Most of it, anyway, according to coach Jay Carlsen.

“It’s not the same team and I don’t have the same players,” he said recently.

What Carlsen does have, however, is one of the best backcourts in Eastern Maine, increased depth, and the valuable experience that comes from playing on a No. 8 seed that won the regional title.

The Windjammers are among the early favorites – the many early favorites, that is – to win the right to represent Eastern Maine in the state final next February. The Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference is loaded, the Penobscot Valley Conference is stronger than last year, and no one is willing to make too many predictions.

Camden Hills, however, is the team that everyone seems to be talking about, especially with guards Samantha Wiley, who was the Eastern Maine Class B tourney MVP last year, along with Marianne Croce and Kayla Gushee all back and playing strong.

Carlsen is also looking at 5-10 junior forward Carly Holgerson and junior guard Kristen Richards, who played a lot of key minutes off the bench in the tournament last year, for his starting lineup.

“We’re going to more of a guard-oriented team, although we’re going to better inside this year and I think we’re going to have more potential to score in the post this year,” he said.

Bench play, where Carlsen said he’s got a lot of depth, will be critical. Christina Philoon, a 5-10 junior in her first season playing, gives Camden Hills more size and athleticism. Carmen Forzetting, who is making her way back from injuries, is also a 5-10 forward. At guard, the Windjammers are hoping to get strong play from junior Georgia Smith, senior soccer standout Caitlin Brown, and freshman Allie Parent.

But the biggest question for the ‘Jammers may be if they can come together at the end of this season they way they did last year, when they knocked off No. 1 Presque Isle en route to the Eastern Maine Class B championship.

“I think one of the things I’ve learned from last year that’s really helped us is that we didn’t look to get to an EM final,” Carlsen said. “We’re just focused on our best effort in each practice. If we can put forth our best effort, we’re going to get better and hopefully play our best basketball at the end of the season.”

The Windjammers won’t have to go far for competition in the KVAC.

Maranacook of Readfield, which fell in the Eastern Maine semifinals, welcomes back one of the best point guards in the state in senior Toby Martin, a first-team All-Mainer and all-tourney team member. Also returning for the Black Bears this year are 5-9 guard Shannon Bean, 5-10 junior forwards Abby Pullen and Jackie Mrazik, and 5-10 sophomore forward Kristi Violette.

Rockland, Belfast and Winslow will also be tough this year.

Rockland graduated two starters but returns senior guard Kasey Felt, junior forward Lindsay Barnes and athletic junior center Caitlin Hynes, who will be the Tigers’ main offensive threat this year.

“If teams choose to try to stop her we have some other threats that can step up,” coach Karen Bickmore said. “We want to work on a combination of things, depending on foul trouble and who we’re playing.”

Junior guard Allie Todd and senior forward Nicole Clark will also be among the starters.

The Tigers are facing a lack of depth, with just 16 girls in the program.

Belfast graduated a numbers of fine starters but coaches expect the Lions to be more aggressive and athletic this year.

Key returning players include senior point guard Sam Ellis, who has played with the varsity since her freshman year, 5-9 sophomore forward Jillian Ross and junior guard Jamie Flagg. Six-foot-2 center Corinne Grant and guard Heather Read are also starting this year. Guards Britt Reed, Brittney Cummings and Stephanie Whittier come off the bench with 5-9 forward Claire Hogan.

Winslow didn’t graduate any players from last year’s team and the Black Raiders are expected to be strong again under new coach Jim Richards. Top returning players include 6-2 junior center Stephanie Bossie and senior guards Amanda Byrne and Brittany Morin.

In the Penobscot Valley Conference, the Presque Isle girls are hoping to rebound from what turned out to be a disappointing tournament last year. The Wildcats went undefeated and gained the No. 1 seed with an undefeated season but fell to Camden Hills in the quarterfinals.

This year, Presque Isle has a new attitude.

“I think last year the girls knew they had a shot to win it all and the pressure got to them a little,” coach Jeff Hudson said. “This year we’re just taking things day by day.”

The ‘Cats will also have a bit of a new offensive look this year. They’ll still rely on outside shooting – something they’ve excelled at in the past two years – but will add more of an inside game.

Hudson is relying on forwards Angela Norsworthy (5-11) and Moriah Morris (5-7), and 5-11 center Heather Richards.

“They’re the key to our season,” he said. “They’ve been playing well early.”

But that doesn’t mean the Wildcats will give up on their bread-and-butter. Returning guards Kylan Smith, Natasha Deschene and Katie Delong are all serious perimeter threats.

Shaina Watananuchit, Meagan Pinette and Katie Moody will spell the guards.

Hermon, the Eastern Maine Class B runner up, is an opposite position from Camden Hills. Where the Windjammers’ strengths lie in the backcourt, the Hawks will be strong around the basket.

That’s because Hermon has 6-1 senior Malerie Hall and 5-10 senior Shannon Wiggin starting at forward, and 5-9 junior Cassie White at guard.

Returning guards with experience include senior Paige Macdonald, who came off the bench last year, and sophomore Jessi Ford. Sophomore Torri Gibson, a 5-8 forward and freshman Ashley Kelley will also be impact players.

Presque Isle rival Caribou should also be strong this season, as long as 6-foot senior center Monica Selander can carry the load this season. Selander was an all-tourney team member and a second-team All-Mainer. According to one coach she’s the best post player in EM Class B.

MDI may benefit from last year’s rebuilding season. Jessica Norwood, the only senior on the team last year, was injured for most of the season which gave the younger Trojans a chance to play.

Among the key returning players for MDI are senior guards Amanda Young, Emma Stanley and Stephanie Shuster, 5-8 5-7 junior forward Brianne Records, 5-11 sophomore forward Kelsey Stratton and 5-10 sophomore center Sue Falt.