Hodgdon Lady Hawks

    HODGDON, Maine — The Hodgdon Lady Hawks are looking to turn their fortunes around under first-year coach Taylor Quint.
Quint had served as Hodgdon’s middle school coach and was hired by Greater Houlton Christian Academy before the school cancelled the program due to lack of participants.
Quint was then hired by Hodgdon after Cody Tompkins resigned to take the Ashland girls.
The Hodgdon girls program is in a time of rebuilding and learning their roles and how to win.
The girls were 0-18 a year ago finishing last in the Class D Heal Point standings.
The Hodgdon girls return three players from last season — senior 5-foot, 8-inch  forward Hannah Sherman and sophomores 5-0 guard Taylor Desrosiers and 5-6 guard Jessica Drew.
“Hannah is a very athletic player who brings a high basketball IQ and great leadership,” said Quint. “We will be looking to her to lead a very young team this year.
“Taylor is a quick guard who creates [scoring chances] for her teammates and sets the tone on defense, while Jessica is a shooter who is also active on defense and plays a key role in the team chemistry,” she added.
The second senior, 5-9 center Amanda Clark, has prior varsity experience and “brings size to the post,” said Quint.
The lone junior in the lineup is 5-3 Jasity Stoddard, whose sister Summer Stoddard graduated from last year’s team.
“She is a guard who has a good shot and is working really hard,” Quint said.
The Lady Hawks are loaded for the future with eight freshmen players.
They are 5-3 guard Alexis McGuire; 5-11 center Addison Woods; 5-3 guard Sarah Hutchinson; 5-4 guard Amaya Ramos; 5-9 forward Sydney Howell; 5-10 forward Kathryn Rediker; 5-8 forward Hailey Heath and 5-8 forward Janelle Goff.
Howell is the sister of Lauren Howell who graduated last year.
“She is an athletic, smart forward who has adjusted well to the varsity level and has stepped in to be a key contributor. Alexis has stepped in as the floor general and will run the point for us this year. Janelle is a talented post player who isn’t afraid of the physical game. Hailey, a transfer student from Southern Aroostook, brings great court awareness and more size into the interior.
“Addison is a coach on the floor with a high basketball IQ and she adds height in the paint,” added Quint. “Kathryn is a long, athletic player who comes off the bench to create havoc on defense and she also has the ability to finish at the rim. Sarah is a shooter who always works hard to add to her game and Amaya joined the team this year and she is quick and athletic.”
The Hodgdon girls lost GHCA and Houlton but will face Madawaska and Easton. They also face four-time defending state champion Washburn, as well as an always competitive, and anticipated favorite, Fort Fairfield.
“We have a tough schedule that could result in a big game on any given night,” Quint said. “This young team has brought so much excitement and hard work into the gym. We believe, if we take care of the little things, learn to play cohesively and work on defense, we will be the team we need to be to make a postseason run.”
Assisting Quint is her father, Olin, and managing the squad is Elizabeth Neher.