The regular season for high school basketball teams doesn’t begin until Dec. 7, but many squads in the region will play in exhibition tournaments held locally over the next several days to prepare for opening night.
Caribou and Presque Isle both host their annual Preseason Tip-off Tournaments Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
At Caribou High School Friday, Nov. 30, the Caribou girls take on Gray-New Gloucester at 4 p.m., followed by the boys game between Caribou and Gray-New Gloucester at 5:30 p.m. The Caribou girls will then play Gorham at 7 p.m.
At Presque Isle High School that same day, the Presque Isle girls square off against Gorham at 4 p.m., while the Wildcat boys meet up against Brewer at 6 p.m. The PI girls then take on Brewer at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Dec. 1, matchups at CHS include Caribou vs. Brewer boys at 10 a.m., Caribou girls vs. Brewer at 11:30 a.m. and the Caribou boys vs. Mattanawcook of Lincoln at 1 p.m.
Contests played at PIHS that day are Presque Isle vs. Mattanawcook boys at 9 a.m., Presque Isle vs. Gray-New Gloucester girls at 10:30 a.m,. and Presque Isle vs. Gray-New Gloucester boys at noon.
Washburn will host a boys’ preseason tourney Friday, Nov. 30, and Saturday, Dec. 1, and then a girls’ tourney Monday, Dec. 3, and Tuesday, Dec. 4.
For the boys’ event, Madawaska and Ashland play at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, followed by Fort Fairfield taking on the host Beavers at 7 p.m. The following day, Madawaska and Fort Fairfield do battle at 5:30 p.m., with Ashland and Washburn set to tip off at 7 p.m.
In the girls’ tournament, the Monday, Dec. 3 matchups include Madawaska against Fort Fairfield at 5:30 p.m. and Ashland against Washburn at 7 p.m. On Tuesday, Dec. 4, Madawaska meets up against Ashland at 5:30 p.m., followed by Fort Fairfield’s game against Washburn at 7 p.m.
An admission fee will be charged and season tickets are not honored during the tournaments. Concessions will be available at each venue. All-tournament teams will be announced for both Washburn tourneys.
