When Larry Murphy took over as the boys basketball coach at Fort Kent High School prior to the 1991 season, he inherited a veteran, senior-laden team.

The players had been groomed under another coach and a different system, so Murphy opted not to make too many drastic changes. Nonetheless, Murphy guided the Warriors to the Eastern Maine Class B tournament, where they lost in the quarterfinals.

This season is a different story. The Warriors have only two returning lettermen, but that has made it easier for Murphy to implement his own system.

Fort Kent’s new look features all-out pressure defense and scrappy, fast-paced play. Those attributes have been instrumental in the team’s 4-2 start this season.

“What I’ve got going now is a chance to really institute the philosophy and style of play and things I want to do,” Murphy said. “Right now, we’re completely different than we were last year.”

Fort Kent is making things happen with its defense, which Murphy hopes will be relentless. The Warriors are relying on their man-to-man defense, but combine some zone traps, both full-court and half-court, to keep opponents honest.

“We try to pressure all 32 minutes in order to keep the pace up,” Murphy said. “We’re trying to plain wear out the opposition in transition. The kids take a lot of pride in the hustle thing, and forcing mistakes.”

Murphy is counting on the leadership and ability of junior point guard Laughn Berthiaume to serve as the spark for the Warriors. He, along with junior center Brad Currier, are the team’s only veterans.

“A lot of what happens is how Laughnie decides it will happen,” Murphy said. “Our first pass is to Laughn, but the second pass is his decision.”

Berthiaume is a talented scorer, but Fort Kent needs to develop is depth at point guard. The Warriors are using as many as nine players in order to maintain their defensive intensity.

Berthiaume has paced Fort Kent with 20-plus points per game, while Currier, freshman guard Ryan Martin, freshman center Corey Thibodeau and junior Derek McBreairty have also played well early in the season.

Fort Kent has also received solid contributions from Thurston Voisine, Chad Boucher, Shawn Lovley and Kenny Johndro.

FORT KENT WARRIORS

Current record/last season: 4-2; 8-11, lost to MCI in Class B quarterfinals

Coach, year: Larry Murphy, 2nd

Key returnees: junior guard Laughn Berthiaume (5-8), junior center Brad Currier (6-0)

Promising newcomers: freshman center Corey Thibodeau (6-1), freshman guard Ryan Martin (5-10), senior Thurston Voisine (6-0), senior Jason Jackson (5-9) , junior Chad Boucher (6-1), junior Derek McBreairty (6-0), junior Shawn Lovely (6-0), senior Brad Soucie (6-2), senior Kenny Jandreau (6-0)

Outlook: The Warriors will build around the experience of their two lettermen, Berthiaume and Currier. Fort Kent wants to force the action with pressure defense and cash in on transition. Depth shouldn’t be a problem, but a lack of experience makes Fort Kent an unknown commodity.

HOULTON SHIRETOWNERS

Current record/last season: 2-4; 6-12, 9th Class B

Coach, year: Matt Rossignol, 4th

Key returnees: junior swingman Patrick Noonan (5-9), sophomore guard Danny Dahl (6-1), sophomore center Steve Nelson (6-2), senior center Adam Graham (6-5)

Promising newcomers: sophomore guard Bryan Swallow (5-10), junior forward Joe Ulmschneider (6-2), sophomore guard Jacob Gentle (6-0), junior forward Travis Beaton (6-1)

Outlook: For the second straight season, Houlton has only two seniors on the roster. The Shiretowners have parity within the team and enough depth to implement an aggressive defense that relies on full-court pressure. Dahl’s emergence as a scorer has helped take the pressure off.

DEXTER TIGERS

Current record/last season: 3-3; 7-11, 12th Class B

Coach, year: Ed Guiski, 26th

Key returnees: senior center Randy Keaten (6-7), senior guard Brian Smith (5-10), senior swingman Heath Giracca (6-0), junior guard Danny Grant (6-0)

Promising newcomers: junior center Matt Haskell (6-1), senior center/forward Kyle Ordway (6-0), sophomore forward Josh Wintle (6-1), junior swingman Jason Adickes (5-11)

Outlook: The Tigers hope to establish some perimeter scoring to go with the inside play of Haskell and Keaten. Guiski hopes to get Dexter back to the tournament as he begins his second quarter-century as its coach.

FOXCROFT PONIES

Current record/last season: 4-1; 8-11, lost to Hermon in Class B quarterfinals

Coach, year: John Pullen, 1st

Key returnees: senior swingman Jamie Bray (6-1), junior center Duane Walton (6-4), senior forward Mike Smith (6-1), senior guard Mike Hardy (6-0)

Promising newcomers: senior forward/center Rich Curtis (6-3), senior forward John Rand (6-2)

Outlook: The Ponies have some seasoned senior athletes and are off to strong start. Foxcroft, which also boasts good overall size, is responding well to its new coach. Playing aggressive defense and smart offense are keys for the Ponies.

MAINE CENTRAL INSTITUTE HUSKIES

Current record/last season: 3-3; 16-4, lost to John Bapst in Class B semifinals

Coach, year: Chris Dionne, 3rd

Key returnees: junior swingman Chuck Graham (6-3), senior forward Scott Morin (6-1), senior forward/center Chuck Norris (6-2), senior swingman Steve Phillips (5-11)

Promising newcomers: junior guard Andy Louder (5-9), senior guard Barry Love (5-9), senior guard Ryan Delano (5-7), junior center Drew Dunning (6-4)

Outlook: MCI suffered heavy graduation losses, but already has three wins under its belt. The Huskies look to pressure opponents and cash in off transition with a smallish, senior-laden lineup.