By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

AUGUSTA – The Western Class B championship game will have a new look tonight.

Traditional powers like Greely and Gorham and gone. No sign of York or Gray-New Gloucester either. This title tilt pits Lake Region against Yarmouth for a ticket to next week’s state title game.

It is a rare occurrence for both clubs to reach this stage.

“Oh my God, the community is a little bit bonkers,” said Lake Region coach Paul True, who left a successful run at Skowhegan to help bring the Lakers to this point. “I like that. I said from Day 1 that I don’t want to go and coach anywhere where people aren’t passionate about the game.”

The Lakers haven’t been to the regional final since 1985. Their only regional crowns came with victories over Livermore Falls in 1977 and Marshwood in 1975.

“It just feels great because we’ve worked so hard this whole season,” said Lake Region forward Carolyn Ellis. “You’ve finally gotten as far as we deserve.”

Yarmouth has never been to the regional championship. The Clippers had reached the semifinal five times previously and three times in the last four years, but never advanced.

“We were really hoping last year to get by the semifinals, and we really psyched ourselves out,” said Yarmouth guard Lexie Brunelle. “This year we came in calm and controlled.”

Lake Region and Yarmouth met once during the regular season when the top-ranked Clippers (19-1) beat No. 2 Lake Region (18-2) in December 45-37. The Lakers were without a number of regulars, including Ellis, who averaged nearly 10 points per game and had 12 in the semifinal win against Greely. Samantha Allen, who was held to just four free throws in the semifinal win, had 22 against the Clippers.

“I think one thing that’s been great about this team all year long is that if one player is struggling, everyone else has to step up,” said True. “We’ve been deep all year long.”

Yarmouth’s post game of 6-footers Aylie Baker and Meredith Shaw combined for 17 in the win over the Lakers. Yarmouth’s guard play was critical as Melissa Moylan had 12 and Brunelle had 10.

“A lot of teams focus on our forwards,” said Brunelle. “So it’s really great that our guards can step up.”

Defense has been strong for both clubs. Yarmouth allowed an average of 35 points during the regular season while the Lakers gave up 32 points per outing. The Lakers forced three crucial turnovers in the closing minute Wednesday to edge Greely in the semifinal. True know that his defense will be called upon again to neutralize Yarmouth’s inside/outside attack.

“In the last game we played this year against Falmouth we had five 5-second calls,” said True. “They couldn’t get the ball inbounds. Little things like that are going to win games.”

Yarmouth has come out slow in both tournament games this far and finished strong. The Clippers even had to come from behind to beat the Lakers in the regular season.

“I think it’s going to be tough,” said Brunelle. “It should be another close game. I think we’ll be fine. It should be another close clutch game, and we do pretty well in clutch games.”