They return four starters from a squad that compiled a 17-4 record last year, they’re coming off two straight trips to the Eastern Maine Class D championship game, and the team that beat them last year is no longer in Class D.

Sounds like the 2003-04 season’s scene is set for the Lee Academy Pandas as they attempt to win the program’s first-ever regional girls basketball title.

Opposing coaches certainly aren’t reluctant to put the pressure on the Pandas.

“I don’t think there’s anybody in D that can beat them, in my opinion,” said coach Arnie Clark, whose Woodland Dragons have won the last three East Class D titles. “On paper, they had as good a team as anyone last year. I think it’s going to be hard for anyone to deny them a chance to win.”

Clark’s Dragons, who edged Lee in overtime in last season’s regional final, will not defend their title as Woodland has moved up to Class C this season.

“Lee is obviously the favorite with some big-time players, and then there’s everyone else,” said Southern Aroostook coach Jon Porter.

“If they don’t win it, there’s something wrong there somewhere,” Fort Fairfield coach Larry Gardiner said with a chuckle.

That might not earn Gardiner a spot on Lee coach Carrie Goodhue’s Christmas card list. Goodhue is understandably more cautiously optimistic about her team’s chances.

“I guess most of my concerns are internal as far as our team staying healthy,” Goodhue said. “We’re hungry after losing the EM final two straight years.”

Not to mention experienced after two straight runner-up seasons in basketball.

If you’re looking for good omens, the Pandas finally won a state soccer championship in their third try after two straight state runner-up seasons.

Junior guard-forward Shelby Pickering leads a talented and experienced group of starters including junior guard Michaela Ham, senior forward Kristin Hersom, senior point guard Ashlee Gifford, senior forward Samantha Cole. Senior guard Abbie Maxwell, who missed last season, but played as a freshman and sophomore, is back. Throw in sophomore twins Marci Moors and Jackie Moors, and the Pandas may be even deeper that last year’s club.

“We have quite a bit of confidence in our bench,” said Goodhue, now in her 10th season.

Lee’s players already have enough motivation for getting back to the EM final after two tough title game losses. If they don’t, there are plenty of teams able to provide it who are on their heels and ready to pounce should the Pandas falter.

Teams like Southern Aroostook of Dyer Brook, Fort Fairfield, Katahdin of Sherman Station, Hodgdon, Shead of Eastport and Lubec figure to be in the playoff mix.

Fort Fairfield returns four starters and goes 10 deep in the rotation. The Tigers are loaded with depth, quickness, and size.

Co-captains Dani Searles, the team’s leading scorer the last two years, has been a consistent inside scorer who’s working on her outside game. Co-captain Libby Gardiner is solid shooter who can play guard and forward, 5-foot-9 forward Whitney Langworth is the team’s best rebounder and solid defender, and junior guard Kaylee Searles is the team’s best defender. Joining them in the starting five is freshman point guard Kerri Cunningham.

The Tigers have already broken a 26-year-old school record for points scored in a game with 89 (the old mark was 81).

Other key players are senior forwards Franny DeMerchant and Keegan O’Neal, sophomore swingman Sheena Esancy, junior forward Amanda Churchill, and junior guard Britney McLaughlin.

“Our schedule isn’t as tough as I’d like it to be, but we hope to be one of the top four or five teams,” said coach Gardiner, whose versatile team will be able to play solid man-to-man as well as press, trap, and use a variety of junk defenses.

Longtime Class D power Southern Aroostook returns three starters: guard Olivia McGary, the only senior on the team; junior guard Mindy Watson and sophomore power forward Audrey Charette.

Junior guard Makenzie Hardy logged a lot of minutes off the bench last year and is in the starting five this season. Two freshmen, 5-10 forward Shawna Martin and point guard Kaylea Collier will get a lot of minutes early on as the Warriors go eight or nine deep on their roster.

“We’re going to sneak up on some teams this year, I think,” said eighth-year coach Porter. “We just need to build some confidence and learn to play together.”