AUGUSTA- The Rangeley Lakers girls basketball team didn’t have a game decided by single digits against a class D opponent all season. They proved on Saturday afternoon at the Augusta Civic Center that they can handle the pressure when it matters most.
The Lakers made three free throws in the final 55 seconds to secure a 28-22 victory over Shead in the class D state championship game.
Rangeley jumped out to a 6-0 lead and held the lead the entire game. Shead score the next four points to cut the deficit to 6-4, before the Lakers scored the next six points to take a 10-4 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Blayke Morin was a tough matchup for the Tigers. The 6’2″ senior center dominating the inside game for the Lakers. Morin recorded 10 points, 21 rebounds, and four blocks. Rangeley out rebounded Shead 35-24.
The Lakers held a 16-9 halftime lead. They built the lead to 23-13, before Shead scored the final six points of the third quarter to cut the deficit to 23-19 heading into the fourth quarter.
Holly Preston made two free throws with 2:20 remaining to cut the deficit to 25-22. Maddison Egan made two free throws, while Natisha Haley made one to give the Lakers their first state title since 2004.
Egan put in seven points for the Lakers. While Sydney Royle recorded six points, three rebounds, and three steals, and Haley chipped in with five points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. The state champions only loss of the season came in their season opener against class C Richmond. The Lakers won 21 straight since, to finish 2015/2016 with a 21-1 record.
Preston led the Tigers with 10 points, five rebounds, and three steals. Cierra Seeley scored eight points and pulled down seven rebounds. Cassidy Wilder finished with four points, seven rebounds, and two steals. Shead finishes the s
