Western B

Players to watch: Nicole Taylor, York center (16.7 ppg, 9.2 rpg); Stephanie Gallagher, York guard (9.6 ppg); Courtney Anderson, Leavitt guard (18.7 ppg); Adrie Newton (15.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg), Kristen Anderson (15 ppg, 61 3-pointers); Abby Young, Greely center (13.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg), Megan Grondin, Greely guard (9.7 ppg); Meghan Craffey, Lake Region forward (13 ppg, 7.9 rpg), Abby Hancock, Lake Region guard (7.7 ppg); Renee Moore, Lisbon guard (14 ppg, 9.4 rpg); Ayla Allen, Mountain Valley forward (15.2 ppg, 9.6 rpg); Kassie Wilson, G-NG forward (10.9 ppg, 8 rpg), Laura Getchell (10.7 ppg).

Favorites: There’s the tradition-rich York team following a fifth 18-0 season shooting for back-to-back regional crowns, and a Leavitt team coming off its best regular season ever. The Wildcats averaged just 28.9 points against while Leavitt scored 67.4 and beat teams by a margin of 27.3 York plays a strong halfcourt game while Leavitt likes a fast pace and a quick transition, run-and-gun style. The regional final very well could come down to these two contrasting styles.

Darkhorse: Greely lost to York in the regional final last year. The Rangers went 6-2 against the rest of the Western B field this year, losing only to York. The Rangers have an inside game and perimeter shooting. Greely handles the ball well and plays solid defense, making them a team that could give Leavitt some trouble in a semifinal matchup.

Fun Facts:  This is York’s 30th playoff year and Rick Clark has coached 28 of them. … Leavitt’s 17 wins are the most since the Hornets went 14-4 and were second in 1976. … Greely started the year 8-0 and have won six straight. … Lake Region lost its four games by an average of eight points. … Lisbon’s 31.8 points against was second in the MVC. … Mountain Valley graduated five seniors from a club that won just its second semifinal ever. … G-NG went 0-6 against the Western B field. … Falmouth graduated eight regulars from last year’s semifinal team but still won 10 games.