Photo – KimRivet.jpg
Lake Region senior guard Kim Rivet and her Laker teammates travel to Freeport on Saturday for their season opener.
Boys varsity basketball
Coach: Mike Francoeur starts his second season with the Lakers
Last year: The Lakers ended the regular season at 6-12 and just missed qualifying for the West B tournament field.
Players to watch: Senior captains Chris Shane (G), Todd Shigo (G), and Phil Ellis (F); senior Alex Toews (G); juniors Jake Moore (F), and Dave Stanford (F); and sophomore Phil Leighton.
Outlook: Last year, the Lakers opened the season with a blow-out loss to Freeport, but that proved to be their only double-digit loss of the season. They proved to be a very good 6-12 team, competing with every team they played while winning their final three games.
“I really think that this year we’ll be able to compete at a higher level,” said Coach Francoeur. “I’ve got some quick, athletic kids. We’re going to try to get the game in the 60s and not the 40s.
“Size is something we’re going to have to play smoke and mirrors with.”
Girls varsity basketball
Coach: Paul True
Last year: The Lakers had a memorable run winning the West B title and reaching the Class B state championship game. They were the state runners-up finishing the year with a 21-1 record.
Players: Seniors ZZ Leighton (G), Kim Rivet (G), Brittany Latsey (F), Courtney McLean (F), and Kayla Nowell (G); juniors Krysti Leach (G), Erica Webb (G), and Renee Nicholas (G); and sophomore Emily Rowbotham (F).
Outlook: It will be difficult for this year’s team to duplicate what last year’s team accomplished. Know doubt this year’s edition of Lake Region girls basketball will try, but the loss of three quality seniors from last year’s team will make things tough.
The Lakers return enough skilled players to make another run at a regional crown and that’s just what they’ll be trying to do when they open the season at Freeport on Saturday.
Varsity Wrestling
Coach: Paul St. John
Last year: The Lakers sent five wrestlers to the West B regional and three of them moved on to the state meet.
Wrestlers: Senior Josh Rutland (130-135), senior Ryan Cutting (189 last year), sophomore Sean Murphy (171), and sophomore Dylan Burtsell (130-135).
Outlook: The Lakers will likely be without wrestlers in the lower weight classes (103, 112, 119) as well as at 275. So it will be difficult for them in dual meets because of those forfeits.
“Optimistically, we’ll fill 10 weight classes,” said Coach St. John. “And condition-wise, our returning kids look pretty good.”
Varsity Ice Hockey
Coach: Dave Lepage
Last year: the Lakers went 11-3-1 playing a junior varsity schedule.
Players to watch: Seniors Dylan Adams (G), Keith Rickett (F), and Ian Biggers (D); juniors Nick Marshall (F), and Tavish LeLand (F).
Outlook: It’s a long way from a junior varsity schedule to a full-fledged varsity schedule like the one the Lakers will play this season.
It’s the first official varsity year of play for Lake Region and their coach says the team is looking forward to it.
“We’re apprehensive and excited all at the same time,” said Coach Lepage.
The Lakers take on the best right from the start as they open the season with a home game against the two-time defending Class B state champions from Cape Elizabeth.
“We’re going to try and slow teams down as much as we can. We’re going to rely on hard work and fast skating” said Lepage. “I’ve got guys who want to play and who are willing to do what it takes.”
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We apologize for not having the Lake Region indoor track and skiing previews. They will appear in an upcoming edition.
The cheering preview will appear in mid-January just prior to the league and regional competitions.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
