Buckfield and Rangeley should be in contention in Western D once again. Both the Bucks and Lakers lost in the semifinals last spring.

Buckfield was the fourth seed after going 6-10. The Bucks expect to improve on that with eight seniors returning. The Bucks are led by Kelly Charity, McKayla Darling, Arrabine Dunn, Hannah Gallant, Alannah Knox, Gabrielle Therriault, Samantha Zak and Rebecca Cooper. That makes for an experienced pitcher in Charity along with a senior-laden infield and outfield. Also back are junior pitchers Amber Arsenault and Jamie Brickel as well as Cournety Lowell and Kelly Rose. Sophomores Alexis Bennett, Brianna Damon and Alyssa Therriault are also back.

With experience and depth, the Bucks hope to be a playoff contender again.

The Lakers finished third at 7-6 and lost to Greenville in the Western D semifinals. Rangeley has just one senior in shortstop Tori Letarte. There’s a solid group of juniors in Taylor Esty, Seve Deery-Deraps, Valerie Roy-Lessard and sophomores in Blayke Morin, Maddie Egan and Michaela Shorey.

The perennial powers from Richmond, which beat Greenville in the regional final, graduated a wealth of talent from last year’s team. The Bobcats graduated nine seniors that were integral to four consecutive regional titles and two state titles. Richmond will have to rebuild to still be a contender. Greenville and Forest Hills should also be teams battling for playoff positioning in Western D.