The excitement of high school basketball has returned.

The season began Friday night for schoolhoy and schoolgirl teams in Classes B, C, and D, while numerous other teams will tip off their 1991-92 seasons Saturday.

The hopes of playing in front of large, enthusiastic crowds and earning the right to compete at the Bangor Auditorium in February’s Eastern Maine Tournament are fresh in the minds of players across the region.

Few teams have experienced as much success in the tournament in recent years as John Bapst High of Bangor. This winter, the Crusaders climb from Class C into the Class B ranks.

John Bapst has been the most successful schoolboy program in Class C during the last three seasons.

The Crusaders have received considerable attention for two important reasons – their tremendous success and their unique style of play. Coach Bob Cimbollek’s Crusaders won Class C state championships in 1989 and ’90 before losing to Calais in the regional semifinals last season.

The building blocks of Bapst’s success have been outstanding man-to-man defense and a patient, consistent offensive approach. Despite moving to Class B, the Crusaders have earned enough respect to be considered a team to watch, according to coaches in the division.

John Bapst has three experienced players in senior shooting guard Mike Miragliuolo and senior point guards John Cornett and Jeff Mullins. The Crusaders are blessed with considerable frontcourt height, led by 6-foot-9 junior center Ken Rassi.

Junior forward Jason Webster and junior center Peter Murray both check in at 6-7. Junior Dorian LeBlanc and sophomore Mark Baxter will figure in swingman roles. Seniors Glenn Thomas and Maurice Day and junior Chris Dunphy round out the squad.

However, the Crusaders lack overall experience and are likely to take some time to develop their chemistry.

In fairness, we’ve got two starters back at the most and we’re young, Cimbollek said.

They’ve got to peak at the right time. Until we prove ourselves, we shouldn’t be pointed for.

Cimbollek said this year’s John Bapst team will have more flexibility than last season because of more versatile athletes, improved team quickness, and better depth.

Orono and Hermon have been tabbed as the preseason favorites in Class B, but several other teams have the potential to make a serious run at the regional title by the time the tournament rolls around.

Now, let’s take a glance back at how the 1990-91 season ended.

In Class B, Orono claimed the boys regional championship. Hermon was the runnerup. The Houlton girls continued their dominance of the division while claiming yet another state championship. Rockland finished as the runnerup.

Calais made it a clean sweep in the Class C ranks, with the boys and girls claiming regional championships. Washington Academy of East Machias was the schoolboy runnerup, while Central of East Corinth held that distinction in the schoolgirl ranks.

Ashland took home a state championship in Class D girls play after edging Shead of Eastport in the EM final. Southern Aroostook of Dyer Brook was the Class D boys state titlist, with Washburn taking EM runnerup honors.

There have been a few other classification changes in Eastern Maine basketball this season. Messalonskee of Oakland has made the move to Class A from Class B, while Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln has slid over to Class C after being in Class B for four seasons. Woodland will provide Class D teams with a tough addition to the schedule as the Dragons step across from Class C.