This year’s girls’ basketball tournaments has numerous teams that have experienced disappointment. They’ve come up short and watched their championship hopes slip away.

Yet, here they are again, ready for another try. They’re more seasoned, maybe more prepared and likely highly motivated.

Are they ready for that next step?

Eastern A

Edward Little was so close to a regional title last year they could almost taste it. Yet, the Red Eddies watched Cony rally and steal away the glory in the final minutes.

EL has been second the past four seasons but earned the top seed for just the second time ever. Coach Craig Jipson has an even stronger team than last year.  The Red Eddies are deep, talented and skilled. The perimeter shooting prowess has been bolstered by some strong play inside. EL scored at 62 points per game and allowed only 42.7. Their average margin of victory was 24 points and their losses were by an average of just 2.6. EL has also won five straight and 10 of its last 11 games.

EL is still young. The Red Eddies still count on a number of sophomores and freshmen. The offense can go cold, especially when they’re a team that relies on its hot shooting hand.  EL also draws Cony in the quarterfinals, not the usual quarterfinal cake walk most No. 1 seeds expect.

Bangor, Mt. Ararat, Mt. Blue are all talented teams with tourney experience. Lawrence and Oxford Hills are two up-and-comers that could be threats. It is considered a wide open tourney by many. With all things considered, Edward Little has a ton of potential. If they  string together three games like they’re capable of, the Red Eddies win. Otherwise, your guess is as good as mine.

Prediction: Edward Little

Western B

Lake Region has been the favorite all season. The Lakers scored 51 points per game and averaged 37.8 against. They won at an average of 16.1 points per game. They’re the defending champs and have the core of that team back. Between the post game of Carter and Winslow,  the balanced back court and the coaching of Paul True, the Lakers will be tough to beat.

York looks similar. The Wildcats scored 52.5 points and allowed 40.4 per game. Their wins were by an average of 15.4. York also suffered a tough loss in the semifinals last season and missed the chance to reach the regional final for a second straight year.  York lost both games to Lake Region this year, 37-30 and 61-39. The Wildcats have the experience and talent to get back to the regional final and give the Lakers another battle.

But despite that old saying about it being tough to beat a team three times, I say the Lakers do just that.

Prediction: Lake Region

Western C

This just might be Waynflete’s year.

It used to be that Western Maine Conference teams were the fortunate draw for some MVC powerhouse to beat upon. Waynflete has changed that in recent years and could finally finish the job this year. The Flyers have been to the regional final eight times and lost seven of them, three of those coming in Class C.

The Flyers averaged 61.7 points per game and allowed 33.2. Their wins were by an average of 31.3 and their closest was by 12 points. Though they beat up on some lowly Class D and C teams, the Flyers also played the likes of Lake Region, Cape Elizabeth and Wells.

Madison and Boothbay are both good and well-coached teams. I wouldn’t be surprised if either was able to play well enough to win. I just think the Flyers are the most talented, most experienced and likely most hungry.

Prediction: Waynflete

Western D

Rangeley has been to the regional final five times in the last seven years and lost all five, including last year. This year, the Lakers are riding the wave of being the top seed. Rangeley scored at a 56.5 clip and allowed only 29.3 points per game. They went 7-1 against the Western D field and won their games by nearly 30 points per outing.

Still, the Lakers are relatively young. Much of the team is built around sophomores and freshmen. Their lone loss was at Richmond in a game the Lakers looked out of their element.

Rangeley would be an easy pick to win this tourney if it wasn’t for a veteran club like Richmond. The Bobcat seniors have dominated during their career and have won three straight regional titles – and lost all three state games. Richmond averaged 55.2 points and allowed 28.6. They won by an average of 33 points and their closest win was by 12 points. Two of their losses were to Class C’s Old Orchard.

Rangeley and Richmond split during the regular season, winning on their respective home courts. I expect they’ll meet again. It’s a game that could go either way. But you can’t ignore Richmond’s experience in winning the biggest games and that’s an edge they have on the Lakers.

Prediction: Richmond

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