Tryouts were held just over a week ago and now local high school teams are already getting ready for some game action this holiday weekend and early next week in preparation for the start of the regular season.
Preseason basketball tournaments are taking place in Limestone, Caribou, Presque Isle, Washburn and Mars Hill over the next few days, while the Wildcat hockey team is also venturing to Bangor for an exhibition tourney.
An admission fee will be charged at all the venues and concessions are available.
Caribou and Presque Isle are collaborating to host their annual Tip-Off Tournament Friday and Saturday.
The Vikings will host Brewer Friday, with the girls’ game beginning at 6 p.m. and the boys’ game at 7:30 p.m. That same evening in Presque Isle, the Wildcat girls take on Calais at 6 p.m., with the boys meeting up against the Red Devils at 7:30 p.m.
The opponents flip flop the following day, with Caribou’s opponent being Calais for contests at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., beginning with the girls. Presque Isle hosts the Witches Saturday at the same times — girls’ game first.
The Limestone Community School Pre-Season Tournament is also slated for Friday and Saturday. Varsity boys’ teams representing Wisdom, Van Buren and Limestone-MSSM will be involved, as well as varsity girls’ squads from Ashland, Wisdom and Limestone-MSSM. They will be joined by junior varsity programs from Caribou, Houlton and Presque Isle.
Games will begin at 10 a.m. Friday and run through 9 p.m., and the same time schedule will be followed Saturday.
Also on Friday and Saturday, Washburn District High School will be the site of a boys’ preseason tournament.
On the first day, Ashland squares off against Central Aroostook at 5:30 p.m., with Easton playing the host Beavers at 7 p.m.
Saturday will see the Hornets taking on the Bears at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Panthers against the Beavers at 7 p.m.
Next Monday, Nov. 30 and Tuesday, Dec. 1, Mars Hill will host the girls’ version of the tourney. In Monday’s games, Fort Kent plays Easton at 5:30 p.m. and Washburn and Central Aroostook will play the nightcap at 7 p.m. On Tuesday, Madawaska will play Washburn at 5:30 p.m., followed by Central Aroostook against Easton at 7 p.m.
The first day for regular season basketball games is Friday, Dec. 4.
The Presque Isle hockey team is also in action this weekend, making its annual trip to Sawyer Arena for a tourney on Saturday hosted by John Bapst Memorial High School.
The Wildcats will host John Bapst on Saturday, Dec. 5 to kick off the regular season.
