STACYVILLE, Maine — Sixth-year coach Jona Fitzpatrick is cautiously optimistic about this year’s squad as she has a solid mix of returning players and talented newcomers.
In addition, the Cougars’ schedule has been tweaked, as Katahdin is now playing in the Aroostook League. That means the Cougars will no longer face teams such as Bangor Christian, Penobscot Valley, Stearns and Greenville.
Instead, Katahdin will see a steady dose of Aroostook County squads with Fort Fairfield, Southern Aroostook, Van Buren, Easton, Madawaska, Wisdom and Hodgdon on the schedule. The Cougars will also face East Grand of Danforth.
“I think that will be a better fit for us,” Fitzpatrick said. “I look for my kids to work hard and be competitive. There is plenty of potential there and it is early, so we are working to hit our stride.”
Members of the 2017-18 Katahdin squad include seniors Natalie Rickards, Hannah Drew and Cheyenne Unterreiner; juniors Haley Landry, Madison Landry, Hannah Kyllonen and Alyssa Barylski; sophomores Lily Cullen, Jordyn Gardiner, Alexis Lane and Shelby Lewis; and freshmen Danielle Libby and Emma McNally.
Rickards, a 5-foot 10-inch center/forward, is a senior captain for the Cougars. “She is a player who has a great impact for us defensively,” the coach said. “She grabs a lot of rebounds. She is a leader who works very hard. Natalie has the ability to score inside as well as be a threat with her outside shot. She will be a big factor on offense for us.”
Drew, a 5-11 guard/forward, is the other senior captain on the roster and will provide key veteran leadership. “She will be starting as a guard,” the coach said. “Hannah can also play in the post. She is an excellent rebounder and a big factor defensively for us. I look for Hannah to step up and shoot the ball more this year.”
Haley Landry, 5-10 forward, will start either at center or forward. “Haley rebounds well and helps us in the post,” the coach said. “She is strong and not afraid to go to the basket; she shoots well. We depend on her rebounding defensively and offensively in the post.”
Cullen, a 5-6 point guard, will be the team’s primary ball handler this year. “Lily has good court awareness, and sees the court well,” Fitzpatrick said. “She can get into the paint, and distribute the ball. Lily’s shooting has really improved, and I look for her to shoot the ball more this year. I also count on her defensively.”
Though only a freshman, the 5-8 Libby will round out the starting rotation for the Cougars. “Dee will be starting as a guard, and can also play the point guard position,” the coach said. “She sees the floor very well, can drive, dish, and shoot the ball. Defensively she will be a real asset to us also. She anticipates very well, and is aggressive.”
At 5-11, Madison Landry will be also be called upon as one of the first players coming off the bench and into a post position. “She has really stepped up her game defensively and offensively,” coach Fitzpatrick said. “She rebounds well, shoots well, and will be an asset to our team.”
Another player who could surprise this year is Kyllonen, the coach said. “Hannah will be coming in to the guard spot and is a spark for our team. She is one of my best defenders, can handle the ball, and is quick.”
Last year, Katahdin posted a 6-12 regular season record but still earned a spot in the playoffs. The No. 9 Cougars went to Jonesport-Beals and pulled off a thrilling 59-51 upset to earn a spot in Bangor. In the quarterfinals, the team faced local rival Southern Aroostook, the top-ranked team, and played competitively but lost 47-31.
The Cougars will need to replace the offensive output and leadership Georgia Landry brought to the team a season ago. She was the team’s leading scorer and was named to the McDonald’s Senior All-Star team.
“We have height, posts that can be physical, and good rebounding capability,” Fitzpatrick said. “Our guards have the ability to see the floor, distribute the ball, and get into the paint and draw fouls.”
Some of the areas she hopes to target as the season progresses are improving team defense, communication on the floor, and developing a pressing style of play.
“We need to be able to pressure the ball,” the coach said. “We also need to recover quicker and be able to pressure the jump shot. Sprinting back in transition defense is also an area we need to improve. Passing and movement away from the ball is something we will be working on offensively.”
