Fast break Rangeley’s Allie Hammond steals the ball and on a fast-break with teammates Emily Carrier (left) and Jenney Abbott in pursuit. The Rangeley Lakers made it to the Western D finals in the postseason tournament held at the Augusta Civic Center. (David Hart photo) AUGUSTA –- After starting the season 0-4, than coming back to win their next two, the Rangeley Lakers’ junior point guard, Allie Hammond said she was hopeful for a successful season and a positive turnaround.

“It’s starting to come together,” Hammond said while warming up shooting free throws at a late practice in her home gym at Rangeley.

After a 0-4 skid, the Lakers went 12-2 losing to only to Richmond and Greenville for regular season sweeps and finished in fourth place in Heal Points with a 12-6 record.

After missing a trip to the state final last year by one point, Hammond returned to the western D tourney as one of the only veterans of that Lakers squad and just one of three juniors on a team that has no seniors.

The young team, which was gaining experience every time they stepped on the court, was matched with Kents Hill (7-8) in the western D quarterfinals; a team they beat twice by only five and eight points.

The program, coached by Heidi Deery, was no stranger at the Civic Center in Augusta. The Lady Lakers have six regional titles. They captured the western crown in 1984 with Deery on the floor, and again in 92, 93, 01, 02 and 04. The Lakers took home the gold ball with state titles in 1984, 93 and 04.

Like past years, the Lakers gave the spectators their money worth.