Every Western Class D girls’ basketball coach, with maybe one exception, likely looks forward to this year’s graduation.
They’re not anxiously awaiting their own school’s ceremonies, but the pomp and circumstance at Rangeley.
With the talented group of seniors the Lakers boast, Rangeley is an overwhelming favorite in this year’s tournament. As a result, many teams know the challenge they face this year but also know the opportunity that comes next year.
This year’s Western D field has five teams that haven’t won in Augusta in decades, if ever. Rangeley, meanwhile, has won 37 straight, including last year’s regional and state crowns. The Lakers have gone 8-1 in Augusta the last three years.
Favorite
Rangeley has played eight games against teams in this Western D field, winning by an average of 32 points. Krysteen Romero and Sarah Schrader give the Lakers a one-two punch that has knocked out the competition for much of their careers. Add in Rosie LaPointe, Justine Frost-Kolva, Ashley Quimby and Nicole Crupi, and the Lakers have a talented and deep team that no team in this field can equal.
Dark horses
Valley lost to Rangeley twice, 57-35 and 65-38. Seven of its last 11 regular season losses have been to the Lakers, but Valley did beat Rangeley in the semifinals two years ago. With standout guard Kristin Baker and an up-and-coming cast around her, the Cavaliers are the most likely candidate to challenge Rangeley.
Players to watch
Rangeley: Romero (16.3 points per game), Schrader (13.5 ppg); Greater Portland Christian: Emily Johnson (10.8 ppg); Gould: Heather Kelleher (15.0 ppg), Carley Rudd (9.0 ppg, 10 steals per game); Vinalhaven: Brianna Osgood (14 ppg); Valley: Kim Smith (8 ppg), Baker (24 ppg), Jeri Dee Fitzmaurice (16 ppg); Hyde: Shanikwa James (20.3 ppg); Seacoast: Liz Trafton (21 ppg); Pine Tree: Rachael Houtman (13.6 ppg), Brittany Lounder (10 ppg).
Best quarterfinal: Vinalhaven and Valley could be two of the top three teams in this field, but one will go home Tuesday. Valley won both regular-season games by more than 20 points. Both teams have promising young talent and great tournament histories. Valley has been to the postseason 22 times while the Vikings are making their 26th appearance.
Gould and Hyde met three times in the regular season. Gould won all three (50-44, 47-29, 35-33). Though Hyde won in the quarters last year, Gould is shooting for its first quarterfinal win since 1979.
Streaks and stats: Rangeley is 84-4 in the regular season over the last four years. … In four of its seven previous trips to Augusta, GPC has played Rangeley, losing three of them. The Lions went 7-3 against the other eight tournament teams. … Gould’s 13 wins are the most since it went 15-3 in 1979 and lost in the regional final. … Vinalhaven has not won a quarterfinal game since 1998. … Baker reached the 1,000-point mark this year in only her junior season. … Hyde’s quarterfinal win last year was just its second ever. … Both Seacoast and Pine Tree reached Augusta after their first-ever playoff wins.
Overview: As Larry Bird would say “Who’s playing for second?”
Rangeley scored at a 59.7 points-per-game clip and allowed just 30.6. No team comes close to matching those numbers. Greenville, an Eastern D tournament team, gave the Lakers their toughest games, losing by 13 and seven points. Romero and Schrader alone would be tough for any of these teams to handle, but the Lakers have an overall package that this field can’t match. The Lakers can run, play defense, dominate the inside and shoot from the outside. They play at a pace most of these clubs aren’t used to. Gould, GPC or Hyde are potential candidates to reach the regional final, but they shouldn’t be able to stop this Laker team – at least not until after graduation.
Prediction: Rangeley.
Comments are no longer available on this story