Tourney Time 2025-26

As the tourney approaches, THESE GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAMS ARE FAVORITES TO WIN A REGIONAL TITLE

BY LARRY MAHONEY

The regional high school basketball tournaments are about to get underway with the new classification alignment in place.

The new classification now features classes A, B, C, D and S, which is for schools with fewer than 100 students. That replaces AA, A, B, C and D.

The re-classification in girls basketball has found Class B state champion Caribou now in Class C and Class C state titlist Penobscot Valley High School of Howland in Class D.

And both will be hard-pressed to return to the state game.

Caribou was just 8-7 after its first 15 games and Penobscot Valley lost all three of its regular season games against Class D rival Bangor Christian, which has been benefitting from the addition of transfers Mary and Annie Allen from Central High of Corinth and Reese Starbird from Piscataquis Community High of Guilford.

Here is a breakdown of the five classes and the favorites to capture North regional championships.

CLASS A: CAMDEN HILLS

There are four prime contenders in Class A North and that list includes defending champ Hampden Academy, runnerup Camden Hills of Rockport, Edward Little

of Auburn and defending state champion Mt. Ararat of Topsham. Mt. Ararat was in Class A South a year ago and won the state championship.

But Hampden Academy coach Nick Winchester said Camden Hills is the team to beat.

“They have depth, they’re good defensively, they have an elite guard in Thea Laukka, they have good size and they are relentless,” said Winchester, whose Broncos beat Camden Hills in double overtime in the A North final a year ago.

“They pose more problems than anybody else,” Winchester added.

Junior Laukka was a Bangor Daily News All-Maine Schoolgirl honorable mention as a sophomore last year and leads Class A North in steals with over five per game and is among the top three scorers, averaging close to 15 points per game.

Senior guards Leah Jones, Maddie Cronkite and Maren Johnson have also been productive scorers and defenders for the Windjammers, and sophomore forward Gabby Martin supplies an inside presence who can score and rebound. Cronkite and Martin were both shooting in the 50-55 percent range from the floor entering the final handful of regular season contests.

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Samantha Bragg’s Windjammers generate a lot of easy transition baskets off their swarming full-court press and they usually use at least nine players.

Mt. Ararat and Camden Hills were KVAC Class A North’s top two defensive teams, respectively, with each allowing fewer than 33 points per contest.

Like Camden Hills, Mt. Ararat is also senior-laden including 6-foot-1 BDN All-Maine second team selection Julianna Allen, guard Jenna Jensen and 5-9 forward Kayleigh Wagg, three of the four Eagles averaging double-digit points along with sophomore 3-point specialist Cali LeClair.

Jensen was averaging over four assists and close to four steals.

Hampden Academy has been paced by 6-foot-4 center Grace LaBree and had five players averaging at least seven points per game in LaBree and Kate Adams (10 ppg), All-Maine honorable mention Aubrey Shaw (7.5), Eve Wiles (7.5) and Naia Studley ( 7 ppg).

LaBree, Shaw and Adams have been the top rebounders at 7.5, 5 and 4, respectively and Wiles averaged 3 assists.

Hampden Academy had surrendered just 33 ppg through 10 games but Winchester said he needs his team to shoot better to complement its defense.

Youthful Edward Little has a top-notch point guard in junior Hope Fontaine and two consistent doublefigure scorers in sophomore Elizabeth Galway (14 ppg) and Charlotte Ranger (11 ppg). Galway was also hauling down 9.9 rebounds.

Bangor, with its full-court press and athleticism, could pull off an upset as long as it has last year’s AllMaine honorable mention Avery Clark in the lineup. Clark recently returned for the Rams after missing a handful of games due to injury.

Class B: GARDINER

The youthful Tigers won 13 of their first 14 games with the only loss coming to Class B South powerhouse Oceanside of Rockland. The Tigers allowed a league-low 31 points per game through 11 contests.

The Tigers boast one of the state’s most well-rounded guards in sophomore Molly Takatsu (12.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.3 steals, 4 assists). Six-foot-three freshman center Alexa Quintana was averaging almost 10 rebounds per game, junior guard Zoey Sullivan-Brennan was producing 10 ppg and sophomore guard-forward Maddie McMahon was pulling down more than 6 rebounds.

Gardiner swept Lawrence, which is another contender along with Old Town.

Lawrence All-Maine first-teamer Maddie Provost was averaging over 28 points, nearly eight rebounds and three assists. She has hit over 30 3-pointers. Bulldogs senior forward Ashley Shores was averaging nearly 17 points and 9 rebounds to go with three assists.

Old Town veteran guard Taylor Loring and the inside trio of Karina Dumond along with six-footers Emma Ketch and Sophie Morgan have been the catalysts for the Coyotes. Their aggressive and well-refined manto-man defense had allowed more than 42 points just four times in their first 16 games.

Hermon, Ellsworth, Mount Desert Island and Erskine Academy of South China could also make some noise in the tourney.

Class C: MATTANAWCOOK ACADEMY

The Lynx are the heavy favorites after suffering a heartbreaking 42-37 loss to Penobscot Valley in the C North final a year ago.

Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln won 13 of their first 15 games by at least 25 points with a 55-46 win over Penobscot Valley and a 41-24 victory over Dexter being the only exceptions.

All-Maine second team center/forward Addison Cyr has been having a terrific senior year, averaging close

to 25 points, 18 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.6 blocked shots per game and All-Maine honorable mention Megan House was shining by averaging nearly 18 points per game to go with 6.4 rebounds, 5 assists, 4.2 steals and 2.2 blocks.

Both are 1,000-point scorers.

The 6-foot-1 ½ Cyr is complemented inside by 6-foot-1 Chloe De La Cruz. Seasoned point guard Juliana Cloukey and veteran shooting guard Natalie Turner are returning starters who round out an impressive unit.

George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill has been Mattanawcook’s closest pursuer with 13 wins in its first 15 games. But the two losses were to the Lynx, 75-39 and 61-42.

George Stevens features Layla Hutchins (13.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 2.6 blocks), Aurora Simmons (9.1 rpg, 3 steals) and Halle Clifford (4.6 apg, 2.7 spg).

Foxcroft Academy, led by Nola Mason’s 13.3 ppg and other key contributors like Payson Hall, Addi Day and Maddie Muth, could be a tough matchup during the tournament.

Class D: BANGOR CHRISTIAN

Cliff Urquhart, who coaches at Southern Aroostook of Dyer Brook, said Bangor Christian and Penobscot Valley are in “their own tier” above everybody else in Class D North.

Bangor Christian won its first 16 games, including three victories over PVHS, thanks to transfer sisters Mary and Annie Allen from Central of Corinth and Reese Starbird from Piscataquis Community High School of Guilford.

The Howlers’ Rylee Moulton, Lila Cummings and Brooklynn Raymond are among a group of PVHS players that have won three state Class D soccer titles and the Class C basketball championship. And that championship-game experience is valuable.

Bangor Christian was upset in the D semifinals by Schenck of East Millinocket a year ago although several of the Bangor Christian players were on the eightperson state championship soccer team this past fall.

Moulton, Raymond and Cummings entered the final few games of the regular season among the top 10 scorers in PVC Class D behind All-Maine honorable mention Mary Allen, who is the leading scorer averaging 22.6 ppg. Moulton was averaging 19.3 points, Raymond was at 13.8 and Cummings was contributing 13.7 ppg.

Cummings was also corralling 10.1 rebounds and a PVC-leading six steals. Moulton was contributing 4.6 steals and 3.7 assists and Raymond had 5.1 assists and 4 steals.

Mary Allen was also averaging 5.6 assists and 5.2 steals and younger sister Annie was chipping in with 13.5 ppg. Rivers Bradford was at 9.6 ppg along with 3.6

apg and 3 spg. Starbird was contributing at 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.

“Penobscot Valley has a really strong team. Central Aroostook has a good team and Machias has a good young team,” said first-year Bangor Christian coach Brock Bradford. “We’re just going to take it one game at a time.”

Defending D North champ Central Aroostook of Mars Hill features reigning Class D North tournament Most Valuable Player Lilly Burtt along with Harleigh Allen while Machias was paced by Aubrey Wood (19 ppg, 5.1 apg) and Loretta Richardson (15.75 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.6 spg).

Class S: WISDOM

This looks like a two-team race between Wisdom of St. Agatha and Katahdin of Stacyville, who had combined for a 29-2 record entering the last few games of the season.

Wisdom won the first match-up 36-21.

Ava Lerman has been one of the top regional point guards throughout her career. She can score from anywhere and distribute. She is also a good defender. Lerman is complemented nicely by Peyton Roy, Madi Roy and Emma Soucy.

Katahdin has one of the top freshmen in the region in Polly Cullen who was pacing the Cougars in scoring (12 ppg), rebounding (11), assists (4) and steals (4). Ayanna Lester is also a consistent point-producer.

2026 TOURNEY SCHEDULE

The Class A Northern Maine High School Basketball Tournament will be held at the Augusta Civic Center. The State Championship will be held at the Cross Arena in Portland.

CLASS A

FRIDAY, FEB. 13

SESSION 3

� 4:00 A GIRLS 3 VS. GIRLS 6

� 5:30 A GIRLS 2 VS. GIRLS 7

� 7:00 A GIRLS 4 VS. GIRLS 5

� 8:30 A GIRLS 1 VS. GIRLS 8

SATURDAY, FEB. 14

SESSION 5

� 4:00 A BOYS 3 VS BOYS 6

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18

SESSION 11

� 2:00 A GIRLS WINNER 9 VS. GIRLS WINNER 10

� 3:30 A GIRLS WINNER 11 VS. GIRLS WINNER 12

SESSION 12

� 7:00 A BOYS WINNER 17 VS. BOYS WINNER 18

SATURDAY, FEB. 28

SATE CHAMPIONSHIP

� 6:05 A GIRLS STATE FINAL � 7:45 A BOYS STATE FINAL FOR ONGOING UPDATES,

& SCORES, VISIT

� 5:30 A BOYS 2 VS BOYS 7

� 7:00 A BOYS 4 VS BOYS 5

� 8:30 A BOYS 1 VS. BOYS 8

� 8:30 A BOYS WINNER 19 VS. BOYS WINNER 20

The Class B, C, D & S Northern Maine High School Basketball Tournament will be held at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

The finals of the Class B Tournament will be held at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

The finals for C, D & S will be held at the Augusta Civic Center

*TBD = To be determinded FOR ONGOING UPDATES, PHOTOS, & SCORES, VISIT BANGORDAILYNEWS.COM

CLASS B, C, D & S

TUESDAY, FEB. 1O

SESSION 1

� 3:00 S TBD VS. TBD

� 4:30 S TBD VS. TBD

� 6:00 S TBD VS. TBD

� 7:30 S TBD VS. TBD

THURSDAY, FEB. 12

SESSION 2

� 3:00 S TBD VS. TBD

� 4:30 S TBD VS. TBD

� 6:00 S TBD VS. TBD

� 7:30 S TBD VS. TBD

FRIDAY, FEB. 13

SESSION 3

� 4:00 B BOYS 3 VS.BOYS 6

� 5:30 B BOYS 2 VS. BOYS 7

� 7:00 B GIRLS 3 VS. GIRLS 6

� 8:30 B GIRLS 2 VS. GIRLS 7

SATURDAY, FEB. 14

SESSION 4

� 9:00 D BOYS 3 VS. BOYS 6

� 10:30 D BOYS 2 VS. BOYS 7

� 12 NOON D GIRLS 3 VS. GIRLS 6

� 1:30 D GIRLS 2 VS. GIRLS 7

SESSION 5

� 4:00 B BOYS 4 VS. BOYS 5

� 5:30 B BOYS 1 VS. BOYS 8

� 7:00 B GIRLS 4 VS. GIRLS 5

� 8:30 B GIRLS 1 VS. GIRLS 8

MONDAY, FEB. 16

SESSION 6

� 9:00 D BOYS 4 VS. BOYS 5

� 10:30 D BOYS 1 VS. BOYS 8

� 12 NOON D GIRLS 4 VS. GIRLS 5

� 1:30 D GIRLS 1 VS. GIRLS 8

SESSION 7

� 4:00 C BOYS 3 VS. BOYS 6

� 5:30 C BOYS 2 VS. BOYS 7

� 7:00 C GIRLS 3 VS. GIRLS 6

� 8:30 C GIRLS 2 VS. GIRLS 7

TUESDAY, FEB. 17

SESSION 8

� 9:00 S TBD VS. TBD

� 10:30 S TBD VS. TBD

� 12 NOONS TBD VS. TBD

� 1:30 S TBD VS. TBD

SESSION 9

� 4:00 C BOYS 4 VS. BOYS 5

� 5:30 C BOYS 1 VS. BOYS 8

� 7:00 C GIRLS 4 VS. GIRLS 5

� 8:30 C GIRLS 1 VS. GIRLS 8

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2026 TOURNEY SCHEDULE

CLASS B, C, D & S

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18

SESSION 10

� 10:00 D GIRLS 15 VS. GIRLS 16

� 11:30 D GIRLS 23 VS. GIRLS 24

SESSION 11

� 2:00 B BOYS 9 VS. BOYS 10

� 3:30 B BOYS 17 VS. BOYS 18

SESSION 12

� 7:00 B GIRLS 11 VS. GIRLS 12

� 3:30 B GIRLS 19 VS. GIRLS 20

THURSDAY, FEB. 19

SESSION 13

� 10:00 D BOYS 13 VS. BOYS 14

� 11:30 D BOYS 21 VS. BOYS 22

SESSION 14

� 2:00 C BOYS 25 VS. BOYS 25

� 3:30 C BOYS 33 VS. BOYS 34

SESSION 15

� 7:00 C GIRLS 27 VS. GIRLS 28

� 3:30 C GIRLS 35 VS. GIRLS 36

FRIDAY, FEB. 20

SESSION 16

� 7:00 B BOYS 39 VS. BOYS 40

� 8:30 B GIRLS 41 VS. BOYS 42

SATURDAY, FEB. 21

SESSION 17

� 10:00 S TBD VS. TBD

� 11:30 S TBD VS. TBD

SESSION 18

� 2:00 D BOYS 43 VS. BOYS 44

� 5:30 D GIRLS 37 VS. BOYS 38 SESSION 19

� 7:00 C BOYS 45 VS. BOY 55

� 8:30 C GIRLS 47 VS. GIRLS 48

FRIDAY, FEB. 27

SATE CHAMPIONSHIP

� 6:05 B GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

� 7:45 B BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

SATURDAY, FEB. 28

SATE CHAMPIONSHIP

� 11:05 S GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

� 12:45 S BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

� 2:35 D GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

� 4:15 D BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

� 7:05 C GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

� 8:45 C BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Buckle up for another basketball tournament.

HERE ARE THE BOYS TEAMS WE THINK WILL WIN.

BY MATT JUNKER

February in Maine can sometimes seem bleak. But it also brings us one of the most vibrant and exciting sporting events of the year.

High school basketball teams and the communities that support them descend on Bangor, Augusta and Portland to vie for a championship. Each and every tournament season is packed with marquee matchups, stunning upsets, electric plays and raucous fans.

For a few weeks, the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Augusta Civic Center, and Cross Insurance Arena in Portland become the center of the Maine sports universe.

And for teams from the North region, their path to the state championship game will run mostly through Bangor and Augusta. Class A North teams will play their regional tournament in Augusta, with the state championship then held in Portland. Class B, C, D and S North teams will compete for the regional championship in Bangor. The Class B state title game will be held in Bangor, while the C, D and S state championships are slated for Augusta.

There are always surprises during the tournament, but as a bunch of talented boys teams get set to test their abilities in a playoff

atmosphere, here are some of the North teams and players that seem most likely to make deep runs in pursuit of a regional championship.

Class A: CAMDEN HILLS IS THE TEAM TO BEAT

The biggest class in the North region may have the shortest list of likely contenders. There are plenty of quality teams in the division, but the Camden Hills Windjammers of Rockport stand out from the pack. Not only did the Camden Hills squad win its first 13 games of the season, it also boasts one of the best players across the state in senior guard Nolan Ames.

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Ames leads a high-energy Windjammers offense that likes to run-and-gun, getting out on the fast break while knocking down shot after shot. Camden Hills was leading all Class A schools in its conference by averaging nearly 68 points per game through the first nine contests, with Ames leading the conference by averaging more than 26 points per game.

The prolific senior can knock down threepointers and attack the rim for highlight-reel dunks, making him one of the most dominant forces in Maine basketball this season. If that continues in Augusta during the regional tournament, Camden will be tough to stop.

“They’re a good club. They’ve got an elite player with Nolan Ames, and then they’ve got a really good supporting cast that plays well together,” Bangor coach Jay Kemble said after the Windjammers ran away from his Rams in a 62-34 game earlier in the season.

Edward Little of Auburn played Camden Hills incredibly close at the start of the season, losing by just two points in early December. The Red Eddies will also loom large in the Class A tournament, with senior guard Akol Maiwen right behind Ames scoring nearly 24 points per game through 11 contests.

Bangor and Hampden Academy should be on people’s radar for a potential upset. The Rams in particular have enjoyed an impressive turnaround this season, rebounding from a pair of one-win seasons and transforming into a .500 team through the first 14 games. If sophomore guard Nate Grunkemeyer can get going during the tournament, Bangor could make some noise in the playoffs.

Class B: CAN ANYONE STOP CONY’S HIGHPOWERED OFFENSE?

Of all the great basketball being played in the north region this year, Class B might be home to the best. The top of the standings is chock-full of talented teams and prolific scorers, and there may be no division that’s harder to predict heading into tournament time.

Senior guard Carter Wiggin and the wellbalanced Hermon Hawks team won 13 of its first 15 games. Mount Desert Island junior guard James Witham has become one of the state’s toughest players to guard on a team that only lost once in its first 15 games — in a triple-overtime marathon against Hermon. Both Ellsworth and Gardiner are talented teams that deserve to be in the conversation about regional title contenders as well.

But among all of the depth in Class B, the Cony Rams of Augusta have earned the spot as favorites. Not only did the Rams win 13 of their first 15 games, matched only by Hermon in the division, but Cony also dealt Camden Hills its first loss of the season on Jan. 24.

Cony has been playing some of the most exciting and up-tempo basketball in all of Class B, and by beating the top team in Class A North, the Rams have distinguished themselves as the team to beat in the region.

Hermon may have found a blueprint for slowing that high-powered offense with a 60-47 win over Cony in early January, but the Rams also may have learned from that defeat.

“We’re going to fix some things and we’re gonna be ready,” Cony freshman phenom Carter Brathwaite said after that loss against Hermon.

Brathwaite was second in Cony’s conference for Class B scorers through the first 10 games, averaging more than 20 points per contest. And he was one of three Cony players in the top 20 of that scoring list, with seniors Jackson Kay and Parker Morin averaging more than 16 and 13 points respectively. Combined, that high-powered Cony offense

averaged nearly 80 points per game through the first 10 games of the season. If that relentless attack is at its best during the tournament, the Rams will be a force to be reckoned with.

Class C: CARIBOU WELL-POSITIONED FOR ANOTHER TITLE

The reigning Class B state champions look like the favorite to win the Class C North title this year. Caribou hasn’t had an easy road after dropping down to Class C this year, but the Vikings have found their footing — and scoring — in the new division.

After losing its primary offensive weapon from a year ago in forward Tristan Robbins, Caribou has turned to senior guard Owen Corrigan to shoulder more responsibility this season. And Corrigan has delivered, pacing the Vikings to a 13-2 record through their first 15 games.

And senior Landen Belanger made one of the biggest shots of the year so far, knocking down a last-second jumper to help the Vikings beat Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln earlier in the campaign.

That Mattanawcook team, the defending Class C North champs, is among the contenders this year as well. With experienced leaders like senior Andrew

Oliver and junior Kooper McCarthy back after last year’s trip to the state final, the Lynx look wellpositioned for another deep run.

One of the tougher teams in Class C, and potentially the most inspiring story in all of Maine basketball this season, can be found in Dover-Foxcroft. The Ponies of Foxcroft Academy won 12 of their first 15 games, and they did so with gritty leadership from senior forward Lennon McAfee.

McAfee averaged more than 18 points, roughly six rebounds and three steals per game through the first 12 contests — and he did so with only about 15% usage of his right arm due to an injury sustained at birth.

Expect more inspired play from McAfee and other top Class C players, including Fort Kent’s Aden Jeffers. His Fort Kent squad could very well be the last team standing after the regional tournament, and don’t sleep on Orono as a spoiler, either. The Red Riots have had to overcome several key injuries and have just been getting healthy late in the season.

Class D: MACHIAS, BANGOR CHRISTIAN AND MADAWASKA HEADLINE PACKED FIELD

There may be no class in the North region tougher to predict confidently than Class D. Machias has been the

undisputed powerhouse for the bulk of the season, going 14-0 to start. That included two victories over Bangor Christian, one of the top contenders right behind the Bulldogs.

Both Bangor Christian and Madawaska went 13-2 through the first 15 games.

Machias has strong senior leadership, including from 1,000-point scorer Mickey Fitzsimmons and fellowguard Liam O’Connor. The Bulldogs pair of wins over Bangor Christian and victory over Class C contender Fort Kent gives credence to their front-runner status.

Bangor Christian similarly boasts two of the best players in the division, with senior forward Jesse Booker recently hitting the 1,000-point mark for his high school career and junior guard Rajon Reed commanding the backcourt.

Madawaska’s record and its experience getting to the Class C North final a year ago also demand respect heading into the tournament. The Owls’ Quinn Pelletier was already one of the tourney’s most captivating players a year ago, and he was only an eighth grader playing up with the high schoolers. Now a freshman, Pelletier is having another strong season. He and the Owls could make things interesting in an already thrilling Class D North lineup.

Class S: JONESPORT-BEALS HAS THE EDGE, BUT DON’T RULE OUT KATAHDIN

Class S, the new small-school class created as part of a statewide reclassification, has a clear favorite in the North region. Jonesport-Beals, like Machias, has been delivering some quality basketball Down East. The Royals were 11-5 through most of their season and look well-situated heading into the regional tournament in Bangor.

But even though it’s under .500, there’s another Class S team that could take Bangor by storm.

Katahdin of Stacyville went 7-8 in its first 15 games, but those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Among those eight losses, only one came at the hands of a fellow Class S school. The others came against Class D competition.

After making it to the Class D regional final a year ago, Katahdin could be back in the mix with another late push in the Class S tournament.

After making it to the Class D regional final a year

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