Western D girls’ overview

Players to Watch: Megan DeRaps, Richmond forward (11.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg); Jamie Plummer, Richmond center (11.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg); Brooke Lancaster, Richmond guard (7.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg); Amelia Davidson, Vinalhaven forward, Brooke Conway, Vinalhaven forward; Sage Weeks, Greenville center (14 ppg, 10 rpg), Gretel Breton, Greenville guard (9 ppg, 8 rpg); Allie Hammond, Rangeley guard; Chantal Carrier, Rangeley forward; Janelle Bradish, Hebron forward (15 ppg); Malorie Johnson, Hebron guard (12 ppg).

Favorites: Richmond and Vinalhaven have been the top two clubs all year. Their only losses were to each other and Greenville. The Bobcats have size while the Vikings have balance. Richmond is the best defensive team (26.2) while Vinalhaven boasts the best offense (51.2). This is the fourth straight trip to the ACC for Richmond and eighth straight for Vinalhaven. Rangeley and Greenville could provide a tough semifinal matchup for both, but I expect both to survive and meet in the regional final.

Darkhorse: Greenville beat both Richmond and Vinalhaven in the regular season. It is the Lakers first trip to the ACC after going 5-11 last year and losing to Richmond in a prelim. Rangeley could be a team to watch as well after winning 10 of 11 games down the stretch.

Fun Facts: Richmond’s average margin of defeat was just two points. … Vinalhaven has just one quarterfinal win (2008) since 1998. … Rangeley went 3-6 against the Western D field but lost by an average of 6.6 points. … Kents Hill had 10 games decided by 10 points or less. .. Five of Hebron’s eight losses were to Class C teams. … Seacoast lost six of its last eight games. … Greater Portland Christian averaged just 31.5 points per game.