HOULTON, Maine — In the team’s second year of competitive play, the Greater Houlton Christian Academy boys could be one of the bright surprises on the hardwood this season.
Last year marked the first season for GHCA since the 2012-13 school year, as the school did not have enough boys to field a team.
Second-year coach Justin Speirs has a bundle of returning players, augmented by two athletes who missed last season due to injuries, giving the Eagles coach a strong nucleus to build upon.
“My outlook is that we play some very good teams this year and will need to play strongly in every game (to be successful),” coach Speirs said. “Having played one full year together we have built trust in each other and developed chemistry as a team.”
Last year, the Eagles finished 9-8 in the regular season, earning the No. 8 seed in Class D North. GHCA beat No. 9 Ashland 57-42 in the preliminary round before falling to No. 1 Southern Aroostook 73-50 in the quarterfinals.
Most of the players are back from that squad, with the exception of Ethan Jacques, Jed Grant and Sam Carmichael who graduated this past spring. And with only one senior on the roster this year, the future looks bright for coach Speirs.
Members of the Eagle squad include senior Isaiah Shaw; juniors Isaac Potter, and Cole Winslow, sophomores Will Austin, Trevor Schools, Parker Brewer and Kyle Carver; and freshmen Jeremy Stone, Austin Winslow and Joel Carmichael
Most of those players, including the freshmen, all saw extensive time last season as GHCA was able to have eighth-graders play on the varsity team. Brewer and Winslow are the exceptions as both missed last season due to injuries. Both athletes are now healthy, the coach said, and are ready to make an impact for their team.
“They are both really excited about getting back on the basketball floor,” the coach said. Brewer is one of the Eagles tallest players, standing at about 6-feet 3-inches and should help replace the inside presence of Carter, who was one of the Eagles top rebounders last season.
The coach said he has yet to determine who the starting five players will be. “We are currently evaluating all players during preseason and giving everyone a chance for consideration,” he said.
Speirs said he expects Woodland, Shead and Ashland to be among the toughest teams in the Class D North region this season. The Eagles do not play Woodland, but do face Shead and Ashland, along with Hodgdon, Van Buren, Fort Fairfield, Southern Aroostook, East Grand, Central Aroostook and Wisdom.
Since the school does not have a regulation-size basketball court, the Eagles will once again play their home games at neighboring Hodgdon Middle-High School. However, the Eagles only have three “home” games this year, so if the team is to experience success, it must do so on the road.
Coach Speirs said improving continuity on both sides of the floor and increasing communication are the top two goals he hopes to achieve this season. Assisting Speirs will be Matt Day.
