HODGDON, Maine — After a disappointing finish to last season, which saw the Hawks narrowly miss out on the postseason for the first time in many years, ninth-year coach Rob Smith is cautiously optimistic for a turnaround this season.
“Our team will set daily goals and look to achieve those goals,” he said. “We take each day and game one at a time and want to stay focused on our short term goals. The long term goal, as for many if not all teams, is making the tournament. We missed the tournament last year by one spot, so I think that will give our team extra motivation to see themselves back in the playoffs.”
To accomplish that goal, the Hawks will look to a number of returning players, and a few new faces after the team graduated two key members — Dylan Oliver and Wyatt Foster — from last year’s team. The Hawks are also without Ethan Carter, whose family moved away at the conclusion of his sophomore year.
Hodgdon finished 6-12 last season and was 15th in the Class C North standings.
The road to the postseason will not be an easy one, according to the coach.
“We do not have an easy schedule, so this team will have to work hard in games to stay focused and execute the game plan,” Smith said. “We are a quick and athletic group that will focus on defense.”
Members of the 2018-19 Hawk roster are seniors Andrew Tuttle, Dylan Jurson and Josh Palmer; juniors Tristan Jackman, Josh Caler, Michael Sanders, Josh Foster, Seth Tapley, Trevor Schools, Dameon Sanders and Brandon Tully; and sophomore Nate Tuttle.
“This group has played together for a few years now and it will not take as long to gel on the offensive side of the ball,” the coach said. “This group wants to continue to learn and improve as a team and as individuals. The knowledge that they have and the drive to continue to learn will help them as the season progresses.”
Andrew Tuttle, Foster and Palmer will be the team’s starting guards this season. All three started numerous games last year and saw significant minutes. “I will look to them for leadership and to take care of the ball,” coach Smith said. “Each of them can shoot well outside, but also have a knack for getting to the rim.”
Tapley and Jurson will be the other two starters to begin the season and fill out the forward spots. Tapley saw significant minutes last year and has been working on his mid-range shooting, according to Smith. “He was a good rebounder last year and we’ll expect him to continue to work hard on rebounding,” Smith said. “Dylan will be new to the starting lineup. He swung (from junior varsity) toward the end of last year and will now start and hopefully with his size will plug up the middle in our zone. He has been working on his rebounding and post moves this past off season.”
One of the things coach Smith wants to work on as the season progresses is developing depth off the bench.
“I would like to be able to use each player on the roster by the end of the year,” he said. “Each situation presents a potential for each guy on the bench to step up to fill a role. As those that are on the bench gain more experience on and off the court our depth will grow.”
Improving team defense will be another area to address. “We must limit second and third chance shots while on defense,” Smith said. “With each year, team chemistry can be a challenge. We only lost two seniors this year as opposed to eight the year before. This (chemistry) may take place quicker, but it is always something we are working on whether on the court or off the court.”
The Hawks play a mixed schedule of Class C and D teams again this year. Class C foes Houlton and Fort Fairfield will be among the top competition, while Class D teams Woodland, GHCA, Easton, Katahdin and Southern Aroostook will also pose challenges.
Assisting Smith with the club this year is Galen Nickerson.
