Players to watch: Sr. G Kelly Pomerleau, St. Dom’s (14.9 ppg, 4.4 apg, 4.2 spg), Jr. G Faith Grady, St. Dom’s (11.6 ppg, 6 rpg), Sr. G Callie Greco, St. Dom’s (8.2 ppg); Jr. G Christine Miller, Maranacook (19 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 29’3), Soph. G Catherine Sanborn, Maranacook (7.1 ppg); Jr. C Emma Pluntke (8.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg), Sr. F Macy Welch, Carrabec (7.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg); Jr. F Abby Dubois, Old Orchard Beach (15.5 ppg, 9.7 rpg), Jr. G Mackenzie Rague, Old Orchard Beach (8 ppg, 3 apg); Sr. G Kirsten Wood, Madison (7.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg); Sr. G Leigh Fernandez, Waynflete (12.8 ppg, 37 3’s); Jr. G Helen Gray-Bauer, Waynflete (12.4 ppg, 28’3); Sr. G Sara Grenier, Kents Hill (20 ppg, 9 rpg);  Jr F Kelsey Hutchins, Dirigo (11.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg), Jr. G Jessica Conant, Dirigo (11.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg).

Favorites: St. Dom’s, Maranacook

The Saints have the MVC Player of the Year in Pomerleau. With Grady and Greco, the Saints have three experienced and skilled players leading the charge. Despite a lack of depth, the Saints earned their first top-seeding ever, averaging 46 points for and allowing just 34. With just one win at Augusta in the Saints’ history, this team could break new ground.

The Black Bears have a force in Christine Miller. Sanborn and Sarah Clough have been regular contributors as well. Maranacook has played a KVAC B schedule and that should be to its advantage. The Black Bears scored 46 points per game and allowed 39.5 and won six straight to end the season, nine of its last 10.

Darkhorses: Wayfnflete, Dirigo

Hard to call either of these teams darkhorses, considering their history. The Flyers are not as strong as they were last year, but Fernandez, Gray-Bauer and Julianna Harwood have plenty of big game experience. The Cougars play the top seed but beat the Saints once and nearly beat them twice. Don’t be fooled by their seeding. Dirigo has as much potential talent and depth as most teams in the tourney. If they play well and get rolling, the Cougars could make some noise.

Fun Facts: St. Dom’s only quarterfinal win came in 2008 against Hebron. The 15-3 record for the Saints is the best since going 14-2 in 1985. … This is the first quarterfinal game for Maranacook since 2005…. Carrabec won 10 of its last 12 and those two losses were to Spruce Mountain. The Cobras’ most recent quarterfinal win was over Traip in 2002. … Old Orchard Beach lost all five of its games in a seven-game span in the regular season, three of those losses were to Western B playoff teams. … Madison has lost the last two regional finals and been to the title game three times in the last four years. … Four of Waynflete’s loss were by seven points or less and only two of the Flyers losses were to Western C teams. … Dirigo has won 41 of its last 47 tourney games in Augusta.