By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

Can Yarmouth stand taller than the rest?

That may be the question surrounding this year’s Western Class B tournament at the Augusta Civic Center. After a 17-1 regular season, the Clippers, featuring two 6-foot post players in Aylie Baker and Meredith Shaw, appear head and shoulders above much of the competition.

Yet, Yarmouth has never won a semifinal playoff game and the parity in this Western B field could make this tournament too close to call.

Favorites

Yarmouth’s perfect regular season was toppled by Greely, 44-40, in the finale, but the Clippers should be a tough out. The Clippers’ post game is formidable, while its young guards have proven themselves.

You can’t count out the defending champs from Greely. The Rangers, winners of eight of their last nine games, lost key components from last year’s squad, but still boast one of the best defensive teams in the field, allowing just 35.7 points per game.

Darkhorse

Lake Region hasn’t won a quarterfinal game since 1999, but has been knocking on the door of tournament success recently. Other than Yarmouth (9-1), the Lakers (9-2) have the best record against the other eight tournament teams. Their defense allowed around 31 points per game and could have significant say in how this tournament develops.

Players to watch

Yarmouth: Shaw (13.5 points per game), Baker (12.2 ppg); Lake Region: Samantha Allen (14 ppg); Greely: Emma Dickson (9.7 ppg), Brigitte Demers (8.2 ppg); York: Mary Beaman (6.9 ppg), Haley Woods (5.7 ppg); Gorham: Ashley Towle (8.8 ppg), Emily Jenkins (7.8 ppg); Fryeburg: Ana Nicolic (14.9 ppg), Coreen Hennessey (10.6 ppg); Falmouth: Bethany Graffam (9.2 ppg); Gray-New Gloucester: Olivia Ryan (9.5 ppg), Jen Farynaz (7.8 ppg).

Best quarterfinal

Gorham beat York 44-40 in the regular season. York, who returns five starters, has won a quarterfinal in three of its last four tries. The Rams, a regional finalist last year, lost six seniors and their top scoring threats, but still have a solid post game. The two clubs match up well.

Fryeburg and Greely could be an interesting battle. Greely won the lone regular-season game 51-41, holding Nicolic to 11 points. The Raiders went 5-2 in its last seven games. Fryeburg could give the Rangers a handful.

Streaks and stats

This is Yarmouth’s first No. 1 ranking, and its 17 wins are the most by a Clippers team since 1983. … Lake Region’s 16 wins are the most for the Lakers since 1977. The Lakers two losses were both by eight points. … Four of Greely’s five losses were by eight points or less. … York has 25 playoff appearances, while Gorham has reached the tournament 26 times in the last 29 years. … Fryeburg has not won in Augusta since 1997. The 12 wins are the most for the Raiders since 1997. … This is Falmouth’s first trip to Augusta since joining Class C in 1999. … G-NG went 1-10 against Western B tournament teams.

Overview

Just look at the records of the Western B teams against each other: Falmouth (4-7), Fryeburg (4-6), Gorham (5-6), York (5-5), Greely (7-5). Only Yarmouth and Lake Region have had consistent success against this field. These teams have beaten or at least challenged each other all year, many games being decided by single digits. There’s great potential for a few nail-biters and unexpected outcomes.

Look for Yarmouth to reach the final. They’ll be a tall order to stop. Should Greely and Lake Region reach the semifinal, it should be a thriller. Greely’s defense and experience just might win out. The Rangers had eight games decided by 10 points or less and should be poised in the clutch.

Greely has the defense to challenge Yarmouth, but the Clippers will learn from its loss. The Rangers give the Clippers a run for the regional title, yet Yarmouth doesn’t let history repeat.

Prediction

Yarmouth