Fitzpatrick to coach Katahdin girls hoop

By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    The Katahdin girls varsity basketball program will be coached by Jona (Scovill) Fitzpatrick this season. Fitzpatrick served as assistant coach to Heather Lyons a year ago.
    Fitzpatrick was approved by the RSU 50 school board in October. She is a 1985 graduate of Houlton High School and played a year-and-a-half of varsity basketball under coach John Donato. She played four years of softball and three years of soccer, while in high school. Fitzpatrick also served on the Student Council and was a class officer.
    Fitzpatrick graduated from Gordon College in 1989 with a degree in elementary/special education. She taught special education for two years in Massachusetts and five in Portland.
    Though she doesn’t possess a basketball coaching background, Fitzpatrick knows this is a building year.
    “I see their potential,” she said. “I can see what they can do.”
    A year ago, the Katahdin girls program didn’t have enough players for a junior varsity squad. This year, the numbers have been encouraging.
    “It’s nice to see more girls coming out,” Fitzpatrick said. “The past few years, we’ve had a tough time getting girls to come out. We have plenty this season and even enough for a junior varsity team.”
    Last year, the Katahdin girls had a 4-14 record and were in 18th position in the Class D girls Heal Point standings.
    “I just want to try to help them work together and to play as a team,” said Fitzpatrick about her coaching role. “I love working with kids and I know them all. I also enjoy the sport of basketball.”
    Fitzpatrick, who has taken a few courses on teaching youth sports, looks for her team to become stronger defensively and to take better percentage shots on offense, along with better rebounding skills.
    “We need to try to run our offense and be patient,” she said. “Let the play develop and see what happens.”
    At Katahdin, Fitzpatrick coached the junior high soccer team.