WESTERN CLASS A

FAVORITES: Top-ranked, unbeaten and defending state champ McAuley is the clear favorite. Only three teams came within 10 points of the Lions, whose average margin of victory was 24.6 points. McAuley’s defense is impressive, allowing only 28.4 points per game.

Additional Photos

Meghan Gribbin is the biggest threat for Windham. Gribbin averages more than 20 points per game. 2011 file photo/John Ewing

Kristen Anderson helped Leavitt capture the Class B state championship a year ago. 2010 file photo/John Ewing

WATCH OUT FOR: Second-ranked Scarborough and fourth-ranked Deering. The Red Storm lost only once, to McAuley, and play a relentless style of defense that breaks teams down. Deering came closest to beating the Lions, losing by five in overtime after leading for most of the game. They match up physically as well as anyone with McAuley.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Alexa Coulombe, McAuley, senior center (12.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.9 spg); Allie Clement, McAuley, sophomore guard (12.7 ppg, 2.6 apg, 3.3 spg); Meghan Gribbin, Windham, senior guard (20.8 ppg, 4.1 apg, 2.6 spg); Aubrey Folger, Marshwood, senor guard (15.1 ppg); Ella Ramonas, Deering, senior guard (13.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg); Alexandra Palazzi-Leahy, Cheverus, senior guard (12 ppg).

DID YOU KNOW: The players on McAuley’s roster come from eight communities — Falmouth, South Portland, Yarmouth, Arundel, Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Saco and Gray.

WESTERN CLASS B

FAVORITES: Top-ranked Lake Region earns a nod because few teams play the type of defense the Lakers do. But don’t discount defending state champ Leavitt. The fourth-ranked Hornets are playing well.

WATCH OUT FOR: Second-ranked York and third-ranked Greely. When healthy, the Wildcats scare anyone with tight defense and a balanced offense. The Rangers have shown the ability to beat anyone.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Kristen Anderson, Leavitt, junior guard (27.1 ppg, 8.1 apg, 4.9 spg); Adrianna Newton, Leavitt, senior forward (21.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 5.4 spg); Tiana-Jo Carter, Lake Region, sophomore center (13.7 ppg, 18.9 rpg); Emily Campbell, York, junior forward (10.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.9 spg); Morgan Cahill, Yarmouth, senior center (16.9 ppg, 11.0 rpg); Alison Furness, Wells, sophomore forward (12.3 ppg).

DID YOU KNOW: In Rick Clark’s 30 years as York head coach, the Wildcats have failed to qualify for the tournament only twice, in 1997 and 1998, when they went 8-10 and 7-11.

WESTERN CLASS C

FAVORITES: Top-ranked Hall-Dale is the defending state champ and has played like it. If it falters, second-ranked Madison, while lost twice to Class B schools, is set to step in.

WATCH OUT FOR: Third-ranked Boothbay. The Seahawks, in the tournament for the first time since 2003, lost to Hall-Dale three times, but by a total of eight points. They also defeated No. 2 Madison by 13 late in the season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Martha Veroneau, Waynflete, junior guard (17.9 ppg, 2.9 apg); Selena Lorrey, Traip Academy, senior forward (16.4 ppg, 3.7 apg, 3.6 spg); Carylanne Wolfington, Hall-Dale, senior guard (21.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.4 apg); Lyndsay Weese, Madison, senior guard (7 ppg, 8 rpg)

DID YOU KNOW: Hall-Dale’s Wolfington is 20 points shy of 1,000. She is a two-time Mountain Valley Conference player of the year in both soccer and basketball, and is the reigning MVC player of the year in softball.

WESTERN CLASS D

FAVORITES: Top-ranked Richmond, the defending regional champ, lost once this year, to Class C Old Orchard Beach. This is the third straight year the Bobcats go in at No. 1.

WATCH OUT FOR: Second-ranked Rangeley, which lost only to Richmond this year (twice, by a total of five points), and fourth-ranked Seacoast Christian, which won its last seven games after losing to Rangeley 48-41 in mid-January.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Elaine Beech, Greater Portland Christian, junior point guard (12 ppg, 10 rpg); Ruth Towne, Seacoast Christian, senior forward (14 ppg, 12 rpg); Jamie Plummer, Richmond, junior forward (18 ppg, 9 rpg); Taylor Esty, Rangeley, freshman forward (13.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg)

DID YOU KNOW: Rangeley has three eighth graders who get extensive playing time. Schools with fewer than 40 students of a particular gender may use eighth graders on the varsity. Rangeley has only 48 students in its high school.

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