Local boys’ basketball teams take to the courts Wednesday knowing they are a win away from advancing to the Class B North tournament at the Cross Insurance Center.
Four preliminary playoff games are being played involving teams from the region.
In Class B North, Caribou (6-12, 55.8025) finished eighth and will host a preliminary playoff against No. 9 Belfast (44.8765) at 6 p.m. The winner of that game plays No. 1 and undefeated Hermon in the tourney quarterfinals Saturday, Feb. 17, at 4:35 p.m.
Central Aroostook (13-5, 112.4764) finished fourth and faces a familiar foe, No. 13 Madawaska (11-7, 52.9630), in a 6 p.m. matchup. The Panthers won 74-44 on Dec. 27 in Madawaska and also prevailed at home on Feb. 2, 64-27. The winner matches up with the winner of the prelim between No. 5 Fort Kent (14-4) and No. 12 Dexter (11-7) in the quarterfinal round game to be played at 2:05 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, in Bangor.
Houlton (14-4, 93.4568) is ranked ninth and will have to travel for its prelim contest against No. 8 Lee Academy (13-5). Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m. The Shires missed hosting a prelim game by a mere 1.2 points. The winner moves on to the quarterfinal round in Bangor against No. 1 George Stevens Academy on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 3:35 p.m.
Easton (11-7, 52.8395) is No. 7 and hosts No. 10 Southern Aroostook (6-12, 41.667) at 6 p.m. The teams met twice during the regular season, with each winning on the opponent’s home floor. The Bears won in Dyer Brook Dec. 22, 70-38, and the Warriors claimed a 50-38 victory on Jan. 8 in Easton. The prelim winner draws No. 2 Jonesport-Beals (14-3) in the quarterfinals on Monday, Feb. 19, at 11:05 a.m.
