Coach: Heidi Deery (20th year)

Last year’s record: 19-2, lost in Western D final.

Returning players: Senior — Tori Letarte (5-6 guard); Juniors — Valerie Roy-Lessard (5-4 guard), Seve Deery-Deraps (5-8 guard), Taylor Esty (6-1 forward/center); Sophomores — Blayke Morin (6-2 forward/center), Maddison Egan (5-4 guard), Michaela Shorey (5-5 guard); Freshman — Celia Philbrick (5-8 guard/forward).

Key losses: Abby Abbott (guard), Jenney Abbott (center), Emina Gunic (center)

Promising newcomers: Junior — Ting Morse (5-0 guard); Freshman — Haley Morrill (5-5 guard); Eighth grader — Natasha Haley (5-6 guard/forward).

Outlook: The Lakers return most of the team that lost to Richmond in the regional final last year. It was Rangeley’s sixth trip to the Western D game in eight years. The Lakers still only have one senior but have an experienced group with veterans guards in Letarte and Deery-Deraps and two of the top post players in the EWC in Esty and Morin. After a 17-1 regular season and No. 1 seeding last year, the Lakers certainly have the potential to duplicate that and make a run in the tournament.

Copy the Story Link