At the Hampden Academy gym and about 150 other high school gyms around the state you could hear those sounds.

Squeaky sneakers. Bounce of the ball. Coaches yelling 'hustle, hustle'.

The winter season is underway. Tryouts, practices, preseason games and then on Friday December 8th, the road to tourney week begins.

Coach Russ Bartlett and his Broncos were picked as the team to beat in the KVAC preseason coaches poll. Hampden finished 14-4 and in 2nd place in Class A North before getting knocked off by #7 Cony.

KVAC Preseason Poll: 1. Hampden  2. Gardiner  3. Nokomis  4. Cony  5. Erskine  6. Messalonskee  7. Skowhegan  8. Medomak Valley  9. Camden Hills

Check in your area for preseason games on Friday and Saturday of this week.

NOTE: Sports Radio 92.9 The Ticket / 929theticket.com has an extensive schedule of live game coverage starting December 8th and taking you through tournament time.

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