PORTLAND — It is official: For the first time since 2011, Class B West girls’ basketball will have a new champion.
Greely senior center Ashley Storey scored 19 points Tuesday afternoon, vaulting the Rangers to a 45-31 quarterfinal victory over Lake Region at Portland Expo.
Isabel Porter put up nine of her 11 points during a pivotal second-quarter run for No. 3 Greely (17-2), which will battle No. 2 Gray-New Gloucester at 2 p.m. Thursday in the semifinals at Cross Insurance Arena.
Kristen Huntress had all 10 of her points in the second half for No. 6 Lake Region (11-8). The Lakers were the reigning state champions and have won six of the past nine regional titles.
It was close for a while. The teams swapped the lead throughout the first quarter, and freshman Chandler True’s 3-pointer pulled Lake Region even, 10-10, early in the second.
Greely answered with the final 13 points of the half. In addition to Porter’s contribution off the bench. Moira Train added a basket and two free throws.
Lake Region closed it to 25-16 in the third before Porter’s uncontested layup and an elbow jumper by Haley Felkel stretched the lead back to a baker’s dozen.
Storey also registered eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots.
Greely limited Lake Region to 28 percent proficiency from the field, with the Lakers offering up most of their bids from the perimeter.
Sarah Hancock chipped in nine points and Meghan VanLoan and True six apiece for Lake Region. CeCe Hancock dished out four assists.
Felkel added nine points for the Rangers, who were 12-for-16 from the free-throw line.
koakes@sunjournal.com
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