The Richmond High School girls basketball team opens play as the top seed in the Western D tournament and the prohibitive favorite to reach the state finals for the second consecutive season.

After all, the Bobcats (17-1) beat every possible opponent in the tournament during the regular season.

Twice.

“We’re in a different situation,” Richmond coach Molly Bishop acknowledged. “But we aren’t taking anyone lightly.”

Top-seeded Richmond opens tournament play at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday against No. 9 Buckfield (5-14). No. 4 Seacoast Christian (15-3) will play No. 5 Forest Hills (12-6) at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

In quarterfinal action today, No. 3 Greenville (12-6) squares off against No. 6 Vinalhaven (10-8) at 10 a.m., before No. 2 Rangeley (16-2) plays No. 7 Greater Portland Christian (8-9) at 11:30.

“We have the tools and skills and dedication to do very well,” Forest Hills coach Mike LeBlanc said. “But we also have the chance to be very young. They have a lot of nerves. We haven’t been big-game tested just yet.”

The same can’t be said about Richmond, which features an array of scorers, size and a deep bench.

Center Jamie Plummer leads the way for the Bobcats. She averaged 18 points and 8.1 rebounds a game during the regular season.

Alyssa Pearson averaged 8.6 points a game while Danica Hurley averaged 7.

“Everybody will have to contribute,” Bishop said. “From our starting five right down through the bench. Jamie will see a lot of pressure in the playoffs. She’ll have to rely on her teammates, and they are ready. This has been a confidence-building year for a lot of kids. Everybody really is contributing.”

Richmond beat Buckfield 52-12 and 51-17 in the regular season.

Rangeley challenged Richmond twice this season, losing both games by a combined five points.

The Lakers also received a lift when they learned 5-foot-10 center Jenney Abbott was cleared to play. Abbott had been recovering from a knee injury.

“We’ve had several different injuries throughout the season,” Rangeley coach Heidi Deery said. “I’m hopeful we’ll have everyone back healthy. It looks like Jenney will be able to play. She is a force for us. She does a lot of things for us.”

Taylor Esty averaged 14 points, eight rebounds and two steals a game for the Lakers. Emily Carrier and Chantal Carrier also contributed to the scoring attack, averaging 10 and eight points a game, respectively.

“We have a lot of players who play key roles for us,” Deery said.

Rangeley cruised to a 62-24 win over Greater Portland Christian in the regular season.

“They are a good team,” Deery added. “We saw them early and they are playing with a lot more confidence now. We can’t look by anybody.”

Forest Hills will have its hands full with Seacoast Christian and the 5-foot-9 Ruth Towne.

The Guardians, LeBlanc said, will have a considerable size advantage.

“We’ll give up four or five inches to (Towne),” he said. “We’re a very small team. We don’t have anyone over 5-foot-6.”

Seacoast, which didn’t play Forest Hills in the regular season, features five players who stand 5-6 or taller.

“I really don’t know what to expect,” LeBlanc said. “We’ll be ready, though.”

Bill Stewart — 621-5640

bstewart@centralmaine.com

Copy the Story Link