Sometimes, who wins the gold ball simply comes down to whoever has the best player, especially if that player is head-and-shoulders above everyone else.

Last year, Valley of Bingham has such a player on Cody Laweryson. Now playing Division I baseball at the University of Maine, Laweryson carried the Cavaliers to their first state title since the dynastic days of the late ’90s-early ’00s last year.

There probably isn’t an heir apparent to Laweryson’s level of dominance in 2016-17. Greenville may have the best player in the region in guard Nick Foley, and the Lakers may emerge as the favorite,  particularly after playing a grueling Penobscot Valley Conference schedule. Regional runner-up Seacoast Christian, which returns top scorer Caleb La Croix, could make a similar case. And despite losing Laweryson, forward Collin Miller and coach Luke Hartwell, Valley should still be a factor.

After being bounced by Valley in the quarterfinals last year, Rangeley is expecting to join the fray and make a deeper playoff run. The Lakers have their top three players back, seniors Ricky Thompson and Carl Trafton and junior Kyle Larochelle.

East-West Conference all-start selections last year, the trio brings athleticism and experience to the Lakers’ lineup. Coach Jeff Larochelle is hoping they also bring an extra level of poise, intelligence and consistency to the offense.

“We want to play fast, but also play under control,” he said. “Last year, we’d have stretches where we’d do that and get a lead, and then play the way the other team wants us to play, out of control, turning the ball over, and the lead would disappear.”

Aside from the 6-3 Thompson, the Lakers don’t have a lot of size, so they have to utilize their speed and play a transition game.

But Larochelle is also emphasizing ball movement, because no matter how much speed his team has, the best way to get a defense moving and out of position is by passing the ball.

“It’s something we’ve been trying to iron out and we’ve been getting a little better,” he said.

Aside from junior guard Zach Trafton, the Lakers will be relying on freshmen and sophomores to fill supporting roles. Players such as sophomore Leo Perez and freshmen Ian Lillis and Gaige Savage are more experienced than the average underclassmen, though, having played varsity as eighth graders (as Class D schools are allowed under Maine Principals’ Association rules) and freshmen.

The East/West Conference slate is challenging, starting off with Class C playoff contender Richmond in the opener. But Larochelle is looking forward to seeing how his team meets the challenge.

“I like our schedule because I feel like we’re going to be playing all of the teams that are going to be (in the D South tournament) other than Greenville,” he said. “We should have a good idea of where we stand.”

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