Parity seems to be the rule in the Western Maine tournament.
By Kevin Mills
Staff Writer

Could the last night of the regular season be a hint of things to come?

Just when last Saturday’s makeup games seemed nothing more than formalities to wrap up the regular season, Yarmouth knocked off top-ranked Greely, and York nearly beat second-seeded Gray-New Gloucester.

It was more evidence of the parity that could exist in this year’s Western B tournament. The regular season saw unexpected twists all year as the top five teams in this field took turns toppling each other. So while the standings may elevate some favorites, the scoreboards hint at the unexpected.

Favorites: Greely and G-NG were the teams to beat coming in and the two clubs that met in the regional final the last two years could dance again. Greely has the best defense in the field, averaging just 30 points against. G-NG is the second-best defensive team (34) and has a group that has been to the regional final three straight years and won twice.

Darkhorse: Gorham and Yarmouth each beat Greely. Lake Region beat Gorham and Yarmouth. All three teams saw tournament time last year and are ready to take the next step this year. Any of them could be a threat.

Players to watch: Abby Marstaller, Greely (10 points per game); Josalee Danieli, G-NG (11.6 ppg); Dawn Ross, G-NG (10 ppg); Laura Popovics, Gorham (12.8 ppg); Eileen Jenkins, Gorham (9.2 ppg); Samantha Allen, Lake Region (12 ppg); Carolyn Ellis, Lake Region (11.2 ppg); Aylie Baker, Yarmouth (10.5 ppg); Kristen Arsenault, Mountain Valley (15.8 ppg); Linsey McFarlin, Fryeburg (16.9 ppg); Abby Boone, York (8.0 ppg).

Best quarterfinal: Lake Region beat Yarmouth 46-30 in December, but this could be a closer match. Yarmouth lost just one senior from last year. The Lakers have a slightly younger group and have not won a quarterfinal since beating Leavitt in 1999. Both are very solid defensive teams and match up well against each other. Mountain Valley could have its hands full with Gorham’s inside/outside attack, but the Falcons have been making noise down the stretch and have been playing excellent defense. Their 37 points against is just three more than last year’s average, and that’s after losing eight seniors.

Streaks and stats: Greely has been to the regional final five times in the last seven years. Gorham lost its four games by an average of six points. Lake Region averaged 53 points during the regular, most by any team in the field. Mountain Valley’s Arsenault went from averaging five points last year to nearly 16 this year. The is Fryeburg’s first trip to Augusta since 1999, and the Raiders haven’t won there since 1997.

Behind the scenes: Greely’s Emma Dickson (knee) and Yarmouth’s Sara Hagstrom (ankle) missed much of the season to injury but bolster their clubs for the tournament. This is Gorham coach Sherry Sandora’s first season as a head coach, after being an assistant at her alma mater, Portland. Fryeburg’s Meredith Wheeler has some tournament experience at Augusta. She played for Lake Region last year. Rick Clark has coached at York for 22 years and missed the playoffs just twice.

Overview: It is hard to say any one of these teams is heads above the others. Greely has great balance and solid depth. G-NG has plenty of championship experience. Gorham, Lake Region and Yarmouth are all younger teams waiting for that breakout moment. The Rangers and Patriots seem destined to reach the final once again. Both teams play superb defense and have been consistent against the rest of the field. Greely has had the upper hand in both meetings with G-NG, but everyone knows a regional final game is what the Patriots have been gunning for. Greely’s inside attack and balanced scoring may be the edge once again. The Rangers got the brief offensive surge to sway last year’s title game and may do the same this year.

Prediction: Greely

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