AUGUSTA – There was a time that Logahn Walker feared that she might not have the same tournament experiences as her older sisters.

Her apprehension proved correct. Walked ultimately did have a different playoff career than her siblings, but she’s more than OK with that.

Her sisters all played in tournament games at the Augusta Civic Center. Katie lost a quarterfinal in 2003 while Shannon and Sarah lost in the semifinals in 2000. After three straight preliminary losses, Logahn was the only one not to have achieved that goal.

“I’d only had the preliminary games and lost all three,” said Walker. “Katie made it her sophomore year and my twin sisters, Sarah and Shannon, made it their (junior) year.”

Reaching the quarterfinals as a senior seemed exciting enough, but Walker surpassed the highlights of her sisters. The MVC First Team All-Star helped the Roadrunners wreak havoc in the Western C tournament and capture the regional championship. Now, Saturday night, she’ll play at the Bangor Auditorium for the state title, an experience her sisters never enjoyed.

“I definitely didn’t want to disappoint my parents because they wanted to have all four of the kids go to Augusta,” she said. “I don’t think I disappointed them.”

The people Walker did disappoint were teams she helped beat. Monmouth, Dirigo and Winthrop all hoped to frustrate, neutralize and capitalize on Walker’s play in the backcourt. Instead, Walker was unflappable and outlasted three stellar defensive teams.

“She’s really elevated her game,” said Mt. Abram coach Doug Lisherness. “Without someone running the offense and bringing the ball up against pressure, it doesn’t matter if you have two good post players or not. Logahn has matured a lot in the last year.”

Walker is no stranger to tough situations. She’s been an all-star soccer player with a knack for scoring the big goals. She’s also the pitcher on the softball team.

“I guess I like the roles with all the pressure on me,” said Walker with a laugh.

She certainly rose to the occasion last week in her Augusta debut. Against an athletic Monmouth team that was a preseason favorite to challenge for the regional title, Walker had 15 points and five assists. When Mt. Abram got behind early, Walker led them back. She kick-started a 7-0 stretch with a 3-pointer and a drive to the basket, producing a 13-10 lead after the first quarter. She helped extend the lead in the second half and then iced the game in the closing second with two free throws.

Next came top-ranked Dirigo and its swarming defense. Walker faced all the pressure the Cougars could dish out. She only finished with three points, including clutch free throws down the stretch, but not only endured the Dirigo pressure but set up critical baskets by Kenni Norton and Stephanie Coburn.

In Saturday’s championship game, Walker had six points and six assists but had two free throws and set up three straight buckets as the Roadrunners turned a two-point lead into a 40-24 advantage.

“At least Saturday it was one-on-one with Logahn,” said Lisherness. “Against Dirigo, it was two-on-one or three-on-one. I was very proud of Logahn. She did a good job. After all the pressure that Dirigo put on her, it was kind of a relief to her with just one person guarding her.”

Lisherness says that Walker doesn’t really care about scoring. With Brittany York and Janessa Thomas in the post and Norton and Coburn supplying timely pops from the outside, Walker serves as the catalyst. Walker certainly has the ability to score but with so many other options, she can focus on distributing the ball.

“I see myself as a playmaker,” said Walker, who has been accepted to Maine and Plymouth State. She may choose Maine to join sister Katie in Orono. “I drive and everyone collapses on me, and I dish out. Kenni and Stephanie can both shoot the 3 or shoot little jumpers. If post player collapse on me, I can dish it down underneath.”

In addition to the ballhandling skills, she also brought a poise and leadership to a team that were newcomers to Augusta but played like veterans.

“I’ve been more aggressive offensively because if I didn’t, I knew it was going to be over,” said Walker.

Instead, Walker leads her team to more uncharted territory against Dexter Saturday night. It’s been a long wait for Walker and the Roadrunners to find playoff success, but they’ve certainly made the best of their opportunity.

“It’s definitely been a letdown the last three years,” she said, “but now making it this far, it was definitely worth the wait.”

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