By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

AUGUSTA – Go ahead, don’t give them a chance.

Just assume that Valley is too talented and experienced, and that Rangeley is too young to make a difference in today’s Western D championship game.

It is the same kind of talk Heidi Deery has heard all year.

“We’re so happy to be here,” said Deery. “Nobody picked us. Rangeley, they lost everybody. It’s a rebuilding year.’ It’s all I’ve heard about. If this is rebuilding, I’ll take it every year.” The second-ranked Lakers (15-5) graduated four starters and are certainly less experienced than recent teams. Deery has said all along that her Lakers had potential to reach the regional final. Apparently few believed her, but her players were convinced. Now the Lakers enter today’s 1:05 p.m. game at the Augusta Civic Center with nothing to lose but everything to gain.

“We’re definitely excited,” said senior forward Ashley Morton. “We’ve been waiting for this all year. “We all know that things happen in the tournament that’s different than the regular season. We’ve always been the team to beat, but we haven’t always come out on top.”

The Lakers get a chance to spoil Valley’s hopes for a regional crown. Valley stunned top-ranked Rangeley twice in the last three semifinals, including last year before falling short in the title game to Hyde. The Cavaliers, coming of their first perfect regular season, are anxious to finish business, but so are the Lakers.

“Sometimes when you’re picked to win, and you should win, and you know you’re the better team, let’s face it, the better team doesn’t always win,” said Deery. “If anybody knows that, we know that. We’re going to come down and play. I’m sure Valley is going to come down and give us everything they’ve got, and we’re planning on it.” Valley beat the Lakers twice in the regular season, 56-40 and 59-43.

“We played with them for the first three quarters and into the fourth quarter,” said senior guard Ashley Quimby. “So we know we can play with them.”

The key for the Lakers is to disrupt senior guard Kristin Baker. The sharp-shooting Cavalier averaged 24 points in the regular season. She produced 43 in one win against the Lakers and had a Western D record 39 against Seacoast in the quarterfinals. Center Jeri Dee Fitzmaurice averaged 14 points per game while guard Morgan Staples and forward Taylor Plourd are experienced and regular contributors.

The Lakers counter with a team that features seven underclassmen. Senior guard Nicole Crupi (12.6 points per game) and Quimby (9.7 points) are the top scorers. , but the Lakers have been getting quality contributions in the playoffs from Morton, Abby Madeira, Hayley White and Angela White.