Forest Hills probably isn't a contender for a state title. But anyone who likes high school sports can appreciate the Tigers this season.

Forest Hills finished 12-8 in Western D last season, losing in the quarterfinals at the Augusta Civic Center. The Tigers return two seniors and four juniors from that team.

But in a school with only 28 girls, that's it. The only other player is eighth-grader Kayla Achey. She will play only home games, because coach Mike LeBlanc doesn't want to burn her out (what with Achey also being on the middle school team).

One player was injured earlier this week when the Tigers traveled to Winslow to take on the Black Raiders junior varsity squad, so Forest Hills had five players available. No one fouled out, and the Tigers scored 49 points.

The toughest part so far has been practice, as LeBlanc has had to do a lot of 5-on-zero drills. With Forest Hills being isolated in Jackman, LeBlanc can't even call up a few former players to help out in practice, because they're all in college or living elsewhere.

"It's going to be a major challenge," LeBlanc said, "but we're up to it."