Rangeley Lakers girls varsity coach Heidi Deery leads her team from the sidelines at the Augusta Civic Center. Earlier this month Deery was recognized for her accomplishments as a coach at the East West Conference Banquet. (David Hart photo) RANGELEY — All Western D coaches from all sports were eligible for the Overall Coach of the Year award announced at the East West Conference Banquet at the University of Maine Farmington June 1.

This year that honor was received by the Rangeley Lakers girls’ basketball coach Heidi Deery.

Athletic directors from across the entire conference vote on coaches from boys’ and girls’ teams in golf, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball and cross country.

Rangeley Athletic Director Tom Philbrick said he was not surprised, saying she’s been in four Western Maine finals over the past five years and upset the number one seed twice.

Deery started her high school career as a player in Scarborough and moved to play for Rangeley in her junior and senior years. In 1984 she played with its team that earned Rangeley its first ever state championship. She went on to play hoops at UMF.

In 1989 she took over as the girls’ varsity coach and won two Western Maine Championships and a state title before taking some time off in 1994 to raise two young children.

In 2001 she returned as the Lakers’ coach and led her team to three Western Maine Runner-ups, three Western Maine titles and one state championship.

“She’s always able to find a way to be competitive,” Philbrick said. “She gets great kids and finds ways to organize them and gets them ready to compete and play at their highest level.”

Beyond her success, Deery said she was surprised to receive the award. “I did not expect this,” she explained.

It’s believed that she was recognized as a coach for her overall coaching philosophy which always includes goal setting, hard work, discipline, respect, sportsmanship and rigorous conditioning.

Deery said she holds student athletes accountable to the team, they must respect their teammates, other teams, officials, teachers and of course themselves.

“Sportsmanship is a must at all times, in practice, when we travel and in games. Discipline is what allows us the beat teams that may be better on paper than we are,” Deery explained.

In the last two years the Lady Lakers knocked out the number one team in the semi-final games in Augusta.

Conditioning is also an element that has brought Derry’s players success over the years.

“I believe we condition more than most teams. I want girls to leave this program having learned what they need in life to be successful, a few have gone on to play in college and that is great but not what we have built this program on,” she explained. “We believe that discipline, respect, teamwork, sportsmanship, learning to work hard and setting goals are all necessary in life to be successful.”

Deery has been the recipient of the Western Maine Girls Coach of the Year twice. When mentioning her recognition over the years she shifted the focus of the discussion and said she was thankful for all the great parents and players who have supported this program over the years. She also showed her appreciation for her assistant Jessica Ellingwood and for Philbrick their athletic director.

This week Deery will start her summer program with the first day of camp on Tuesday, June 15. Like may summer schedules, it will include three weekends of camps and games on Mondays and Wednesday nights.

The Lakers have not lost any players to graduation this year so with some of the new players coming up, Deery said they’ll be setting their goals high.

“These girls want a championship!”