Players to watch

Hampden — Zach Gilpin, Nick Gilpin, Matt Palmer, Tyler Norris; Edward Little — Quin Leary, Sean Ford, Nate Alexander, Lew Jensen; Lawrence — Nick Noiles, Spencer Carey, Xavier Lewis; Bangor — Alex Campbell, Sean Tocci, Connor Adams; Lewiston — Josh Thomas, Steven Patrie, Abdi Hussein; Brunswick — Alex Bandouveres, Blake Gordon, Konnor Scarponi, Brad Smith; Messalonskee — Jordon Holmes, Nick Mayo, Travis Stacey; Mt. Ararat — Shyheim Ulrickson, Mason Griffin.

Favorites

There hasn’t been a favorite as clear-cut as Hampden in many years. Rival coaches marvel about how efficiently the Broncos share the basketball, and why not? All five starters can fill it up. The Gilpin brothers are outstanding, and Nick plays with a sense of calm unknown to most freshmen. Palmer played a huge role in last year’s run to a regional title. Hampden has the look of one of those historic teams that are talked about 20 or 30 years after graduation.

But this is high school hoop, and we are talking about kids. So don’t sell Edward Little or Lawrence short if they can get through the early rounds of a brutal bracket. EL hopes to advance to its fifth Eastern final in six years. Leary and Ford are a solid 1-2 punch. Lawrence wants to send coach Mike McGee out a winner in his 29th and final season. The Bulldogs’ need a healthy Xavier Lewis, who has been sidelined for much of the past month with mononucleosis.

Dark horses

Lewiston has quickness, athleticism and defensive intensity that are the envy of opposing coaches. Tim Farrar’s crew also enters the tournament as one of the hottest teams, having won nine in a row prior to a 54-50 loss against EL in the regular-season finale. The loss of two starters has taken a dent out of the Devils’ depth, but they continue to put eight to 10 players into the scoring column night after night.

The Devils collide Saturday with Bangor, another team that found its stride in the second half of the season under first-year coach Ed Kohtala. The Rams gave Hampden a tough game early in the season and edged EL late in the campaign. Never overlook Bangor at tourney time.

Fun facts

EL, Bangor and Hampden have qualified for the quarterfinals every year since the Eastern Class A tournament moved to Augusta in 2006. Mt. Blue also was on that list until failing to qualify this season … Hampden’s average margin of victory was 28 points. Its closest game was an 11-point win over Bangor opening night … EL did not face Hampden during the season, and their anticipated meeting in the KVAC championship game was canceled due to poor travel conditions … Brunswick (2004) is the last team other than EL, Hampden or Bangor to win the East … McGee guided Lawrence to Eastern titles in 1984, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1994 and 1999 … Kohtala is part of Jim Bessey’s coaching tree at Mt. Blue that also includes state champions Gavin Kane, Ken Marks, Jeff Hart and Craig Sickels.