A spot in Augusta is likely a given, but the Rangeley girls are hoping to better its chances when they get there.

Sitting in second in Western D, the Lakers play three of the top five ranked teams in the home stretch of the regular season. That includes top-seeded Richmond, the defending Western D champs, next week. Rangeley also has games with Vinalhaven and Forest Hills. Those four games will play a significant role in where the Lakers finish in the standings but more importantly might help shape the tourney team in the making.

“Richmond is a great team, and Jamie Plummer is a great player,” said Rangeley coach Heidi Deery, whose team lost to the Bobcats by two at Richmond earlier in the year. “We certainly have a lot of respect for them. I think there are a number of teams on a good or bad day that can catch somebody not paying attention. We’re not exempt from that.”

The Lakers have learned that lesson the hard way in recent tournaments. Rangeley stumbled in the semifinals last year, missing a chance for a rematch with Richmond in the regional final.

So with eight games left, the Lakers are trying to get their game together for a strong and consistent run in February.

“That’s what we’re looking to do — get three great games together that week and hopefully, do what we need to do,” said Deery.”

She says she’s liked what she’s seen from her club so far. Though the Lakers are relatively young, Deery likes the depth she has on the bench. It gives her a wave of people she can utilize defensively when her team is in the right flow.

She also likes what she’s seen individually from her players at times and likes the progress they’ve made this season. But down the stretch, she wants her club to put it all together. The team has been battling injury and illness, in addition to lengthy layoffs. That’s made it difficult at times.

Against, Seacoast on Monday, the Lakers couldn’t put away the Guardians, currently ranked sixth. Though the Lakers earned the win, it isn’t the way Rangeley wants to play down the stretch.

“We still had people taking breaks against a team that had shown us numerous times ‘Don’t take a break against us, because we’ll make you pay.'” said Deery.

Something to prove

The defending Class B state champs have had a chance to measure up recently.

Leavitt has faced some of its toughest opponents in the last two weeks and have a greatly anticipated rematch with Nokomis coming up next week. The Hornets are 10-1 and ranked No. 1 in Western B. Leavitt’s lone loss came at Camden Hills, but the Hornets have since beaten Medomak Valley and previously unbeaten Gardiner.

“We’ve felt like we haven’t proved ourselves yet,” said Leavitt coach Tammy Anderson. “We went down to Camden and played absolutely horrendous, and they did what they needed to do. When Gardiner came in and were undefeated, it was ‘Let’s see what we’re really made of. Are we a team that can contend or are we going to fold up?'”

The Hornets beat the Tigers 78-57, earning the points to place them atop Western B. It was an impressive showing against a team that stayed close in the first half and even tied the game in the third quarter before Leavitt pulled away.

“The kids came ready,” said Anderson. “Any other given night, who knows what happens? We just wanted to see what we had inside in terms of our ability.”

The Hornets play MCI Friday and then host Nokomis next Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Warriors, the defending Eastern B champs, are 10-0 and fourth in Eastern B. Nokomis beat Leavitt two years ago in Turner but lost to the Hornets last season at home and in the state title game.

“We always just try to think about the next game but obviously, Nokomis is really good and we’ve been rivals the last couple of years,” said junior guard Kristen Anderson.

Coaches vs. Cancer

The game between Spruce Mountain and Madison originally scheduled for last Friday was postponed until this Saturday night at 7 p.m.

The game is part of a Coaches vs. Cancer night to create awareness and raise funds for cancer research. Both varsity coaches, Madison’s Al Veneziano and Spruce Mountain’s Gavin Kane, are currently being treated for cancer. There will be numerous raffles and a remembrance wall to recognize those that have fought the disease.

The game also features two of the top squads in the MVC. Madison is unbeaten at 10-0 and ranked first in Western C. Spruce Mountain is 9-1 and sixth in Western B.