TIANA-JO CARTER will be a dominant force as the senior center looks to lead Lake Region back to the finals. (Rivet Photos)

Head Coach: Paul True, 10th year

Assistant Coach: Doug Banks

JV Coach: Pauline Webb

Team record last year: 19-3, won the Class B West title; lost in the Class B State Finals to Presque Isle

Top returnees: Tiana-Jo Carter, senior center, First Team All Conference; Miranda Chadbourne, senior forward; Lucy Fowler, senior guard/forward; Jordan Turner, senior guard/forward; Sarah Hancock, junior guard; Meghan VanLoan, junior center; CeCe Hancock, sophomore guard; Spencer True, sophomore guard.

Top newcomers: Kristen Huntress, freshman guard; Melody Millett, freshman forward.

V/JV swing players: Ashley Clark, junior guard; Allison Morse, junior forward; Aliza Thayer, junior; Melody Millett, freshman forward.

Team strengths: Speed/athleticism; experience in key positions; work ethic (“I have been very impressed with how hard these kids are working,” Coach True said.).

Question marks: Depth at the post position; ability to play aggressive defense without fouling (“Our kids need to learn that they don’t need to steal the ball every time down the floor,” Coach True said. “We want to pressure, force teams to pick up their dribble and possibly turn the ball over. We want to work baseline to baseline.”); and patience (“It’s difficult at times to put the brakes on kids who want to go-go-go all the time,” Coach True said. “But, there are times you need to be patient.”).

Team goals: Always working toward make each other better every day; dedicating ourselves to making sure all of our teammates are taking care of things academically, emotionally and physically so that when we step into the gym, our focus and preparation is on the game; playing our best basketball at the end of the year.

“Rosters continually change in high school sports, so it is always interesting to see how a group will respond early on when they face difficult times,” Coach True said. “My hope is by the time February rolls around, they have started to figure it out and are putting things together.”).

What will be your emphasis this season? 1. Be aggressive, but don’t foul; 2. Attack the basket and not rely on putting up a shot from 20 feet away from the basket (“Obviously with Tiana, we want her to touch the ball every time on the offensive end. She is such a great passer that if a team doubles her and she is unable to get a good shot, she will find the open person out on the perimeter,” Coach True said. “We have very good three-point shooters, but we want to move the ball, move the defense and see what options open up.”); 3. Rebounding “We can’t rely on Tiana (who averaged 19 boards per game last season) to get every rebound,” Coach True said. “Every player on the floor must assume that every shot will be missed and get into position to rebound.”

For the team to be successful, what must happen? Focus on taking care of each other emotionally and physically; need to put others’ successes in front of one’s own, which will be pivotal for the Lakers to come together as a team, Coach True said; basket skills — pressure without fouling, thus keeping key players on the floor, not on the bench due to foul trouble.

Complete the following, “I am looking forward most to see…” Coach True, “How quickly our younger group matures and how this team is going to react to adversity? That’s the exciting part of high school athletics, seeing how kids react. We have a neat balance of returning players (who played major roles in the Lakers’ run to the State Finals) and younger players, who are trying to get better every day and trying to find their role on this team.”

The Schedule

Saturday, Dec. 7, Fryeburg, 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 10, Cape Elizabeth, 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 13, at York, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Wells, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 19, Falmouth, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 21, at Gray-NG, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 3, at Poland, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Fryeburg, 5 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9, Freeport, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11, Gray-NG, 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 14, Waynflete, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 16, at Falmouth, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 20, at Kennebunk, 5 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 24, Greely, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Freeport, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 31, at Yarmouth, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 4, Poland, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 7, York, 6:30 p.m.

QUINN PILAND and his Laker teammates will rely on athleticism and team play to fight for a shot at the Class B West tournament.

Head Coach: J. P. Yorkey, (4th year)

JV Coach: John Mayo, (1st year in 2nd stint in this position, 8 years previous; stand-out player at LRHS, class of 1988, played at the University of Maine at Farmington)

Last Year: 5-13

Returning players: Seniors, Sam Smith (guard), Ben Chaine (guard), Mark Williams (guard) and Sean Edwards (forward); Juniors, Quinn Piland (forward) and Nick Hall (forward/center); Sophomores, Jack Lesure (guard), Nathan Smith (guard) and Nick Wandishin (forward/center)

Top newcomers: Juniors, Elijah Bouldin (guard/forward) and Kyle DeSouza (guard); Sophomores, Marcus DeVoe (guard), Brandon Palmer (guard) and Alex Langadas (forward)

Team strengths: Versatility, depth and experience playing together.

Team goals: To be strong at all four phases of the game.

What will be your emphasis this season? Defense and transition.

For the team to be successful, what must happen: Play hard, play smart and have fun.

Complete the following, I am looking forward most to see…us play great defense.

The Schedule

Saturday, Dec. 7, Fryeburg, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Cape Elizabeth, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 14, York, 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 17, Wells, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 19, at Falmouth, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 21, at Gray-NG, 5 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 3, at Poland, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Fryeburg, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9, at Freeport, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11, Gray-NG, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 14, at Waynflete, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 17, Falmouth, 7 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 20, Kennebunk, 5 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 24, at Greely, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 28, Freeport, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 30, Yarmouth, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 4, Poland, 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 7, at York, 6:30 p.m.

STATE CHAMPION Kate Hall (left) will lead a deep Lake Region girls indoor track team this winter.

Head Coach: Mark Snow, 4th year

Assistant Coach: Dana Caron, 4th year

Volunteer Assistant: Eric Hall, 3rd year

Team record from a year ago: Girls 6-16-2, Boys 0-24

Returning athletes: Ben Roy, senior, shot put and 800m; Nick Scarlett, sophomore, 800m and long jump; Amy Angelone, senior, sprints; Audrey Blais, sophomore, distance (Top 25 in cross-country state meet); Kate Hal, junior, New England champion in the 55m and New England runner-up in the long jump; Danielle LaPointe, senior, shot put and 800m; Elizabeth Schreiber, senior, long and triple jumps; Natasha Snow, junior, shot put and sprints; Zoe Snow, sophomore, shot put and sprints; Rachel Stofflet, junior, shot put and sprints; Courtney Yates, senior, jumps and sprints.

Top newcomers: Joey Beaulieu, freshman, shot put and jumps; Justin Black, freshman, distance; Rachel Bell, sophomore, shot put and sprints; Addie Blais, freshman, distance (competed in cross-country state meet); Meghan Boos, freshman, hurdles and jumps; Catherine Christiansen, freshman, middle distance; Destinee Durant, senior, sprints and jumps; Nicole Fox, junior, shot put and sprints; Rozlin Hawkes, sophomore, middle distance; Casey Heath, senior, sprints and middle distance; Sara Megaard, senior, sprints; Kira Olsen, senior, middle distance; Isabel Scribner, junior, shot put and sprints; Kathy Truong, sophomore, sprints.

Strengths of the team: Boys — Perseverance, dedication and camaraderie; Girls — Kate Hall. She has won six indoor state titles and one NE title; All the newcomers. “It will be fun to sort out their strengths and fit them into the team,” Coach Snow said.; Leadership from the veteran seniors. “We have and will rely on them heavily in practices to lead sessions and demonstrate drills,” the coach said.

Weaknesses: Boys — The Lakers currently have only 4 boys; Girls — The Lakers have no experienced hurdlers, pole-vaulters, high jumpers or two-milers. “We hope our rookies (and a couple of vets) can fill much of this void,” Coach Snow said. “It will take time for the newcomers to learn their events. Hopefully, they do not get frustrated early.” The only returning state meet qualifier is Kate Hall. “We know we have some potential qualifiers. Dedication, work ethic and attitude of those with potential will go a long way,” Coach Snow said.

Team goals: Boys — Beat another team, score more than 73 points (total from last year), double the roster size before Meet #1 (Jan. 3); Girls — Have a better record than last year, score more and finish higher in the Western Maine Conference championship meet (35 points, 7th place), have five or more state meet qualifiers (last year, LR had two), improve on state meet showing (30 points, good for fourth place, 8 points from third) and have a competitor in each event (except probably pole vault) in every regular season meet this year (there are 21 events).

Both teams — “Show the league our Laker pride, enthusiasm and sportsmanship,” Coach Snow said, “And make a run for the inaugural ‘sportsmanship banner’ for indoor track and field.”

What will be your emphasis this season? Team members — Stay positive and focused on goals. “You can improve in something or learn something new at every practice,” Coach Snow said. “Be supportive of others.”

Coaches — Keep everyone focused on their goals. Introduce a new drill each practice. Be creative with the facilities available for practices. Show how hard work can be fun. Inspire greatness.

For the team to be successful, what must happen: Coach Snow — 1.) Team members must believe the extra weight training we are doing will help them in their events.  We have limited facilities and less than ideal training areas — as do most high school teams. We are however, able to maximize our time in the weight room. Weight training is crucial to the success of many athletes in many events. Dedication to this will make personal records much easier to obtain.

2.) The coaches and veterans will need to share knowledge with the rookies often and constantly. There is so much for a new team member to learn. It can be overwhelming. So far our kids have been great. They understand it will take time to master the drills and routines and they are eager to learn.

3.) Success comes from great effort and a positive attitude. No matter your abilities, effort and attitude will lead you to personal records. If you have great abilities, then effort and attitude will make you a champion. If you are a new team member, then effort and attitude will make you a veteran. If you are a veteran, then effort and attitude will make you a leader. If you are a coach or leader, then effort and attitude will help you inspire others.

Complete the following, “I am looking forward most to see…” Coach Snow — …How all the puzzle pieces come together.  Each year is different and unique, but I think this year we have the greatest percentage of new team members in my 20-plus seasons of coaching. Finding each new person’s strength is fun and sometimes challenging. But, I truly enjoy watching new team members mesh with the veterans to form our team as the season goes on.”

The Schedule

• Regular season meets are held at the University of Southern Maine field house in Gorham

Friday, Jan. 3, Wells, Cape, Fryeburg, Greely, NYA, Poland, Traip, 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 10, Cape, Falmouth, Freeport, Gray-NG, Greely, Traip, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 17, Cape, Freeport, Gray-NG, Yarmouth, York, 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 24, Cape, Freeport, Fryeburg, Greely, NYA, Wells, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 31, Wells, Gray-NG, Greely, NYA, Poland, Sacopee Valley, Yarmouth, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 8, WMC Championships, 3 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 17, State Meet, Bates College, 10 a.m.

Saturday, March 1, New Englands, Reggie Lewis Center, Boston, 10 a.m.