DANFORTH, Maine — A youth movement is underway for the girls basketball program at East Grand High School this season.
After the school failed to have enough girls to field a soccer program this past fall, basketball looked to be in serious doubt as well for the Vikings. But fortunately a number of eighth graders came forward and expressed interest in playing this winter.
The East Grand boys were not as fortunate and as such will not have a basketball team this winter.
The East Grand girls are young and somewhat inexperienced as the Vikings lost one of their best players — Haleigh Shay — to graduation. Last year’s squad finished 4-14 in Class D North and did not qualify for the postseason.
Members of this year’s Vikings squad are senior Mallory Gilman; juniors Erica Napoli and Jordyn Cowger; sophomores Madison Oliver and Natalie Golding; and eighth-graders Phoebe Foss, Madeline Cowger, Madison Napoli and Emma Davis.
“I would have to say there has been a shift in attitude toward the game of basketball throughout the team and the school,” veteran coach Mike Carlos said. “The younger players don’t just want to be on the team, they now have a purpose. So I would say our biggest strength is the team’s attitude. They want to get better and try to get better every day.”
Gilman, a 5-foot, 9-inch center, will be called upon to provide key veteran leadership to the younger players this season and will likely be the focal point for the Vikings on both ends of the court.
Cowger, a 5-5 guard, and Napoli, a 5-6 guard, are returning players who saw extensive time for the Vikings last season. Golding and Oliver also saw a lot of minutes as freshmen last season, the coach said.
“All the players saw limited action last season and should contribute to the team’s success as we attempt to make a playoff run,” coach Carlos said. “Because of the team’s inexperience and lack of depth, we are counting on contributions from the younger players as the season progresses.”
Some of the areas he hopes to improve upon are basketball intelligence in knowing where to be on the court and what their respective roles are. And as is the case with all of his teams over the years, an increased focus on defense will be critical to the team’s success.
Assisting Carlos this season is Anthony Cropley.
