Katahdin varsity girls making strides

12 years ago

    Though their record may not indicate it, the Katahdin girls varsity basketball program is on the right track.
    The 2-12 Cougars under first-year coach Jona (Scovill) Fitzpatrick are making great strides.
    “I really feel like the girls have improved tremendously as a team this year,” said Fitzpatrick. “We are playing teams much more competitively. Offensively, we are running our plays more efficiently, taking better percentage shots, moving the ball around, cutting down on turnovers, and passing better.”

    The Katahdin girls have played some close games this season, and none bigger than when they nearly upset undefeated Hodgdon on Jan. 14 in Stacyville. The Lady Hawks pulled out the win in overtime, 46-42.
Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
sp-ladyshires-dc1-pt-04SHOT IS OFF — Freshman Katie Condon, No. 40 of Houlton is hit after taking a shot against Schenck last Friday night at the Alumni Gymnasium. Houlton won, 42-30.

    “We have also improved at moving the ball up the floor under pressure,” noted Fitzpatrick. “The girls have more composure on the floor because they are more confident. Defensively we have improved, our steals are up, defensive rebounding is continuing to improve and we play aggressive.”
    But with that said, Fitzpatrick recognizes the work still to be done.
    “I would like to see us work harder at boxing out and on our offensive rebounding,” she added. “We have to continue to work on limiting our fouls.”
    Keying this year’s squad are seniors Megan Merry, Ashley Randall, captain; and Makayla Patterson.
    “Megan has been a big factor for us offensively and defensively this year,” said  Fitzpatrick. “She’s a great outside shooter [who can hit the 3-pointer] or drive to the hoop.  Her leadership on the floor has been very important to us this year.
    “Ashley is a good shooter and has been a great asset defensively this year,” Fitzpatrick said. “She leads our team in steals and Makayla has played an important role in the post, as she is a strong rebounder.”
    Junior Captain Morgan Livezey is a strong leader on and off the court, said her coach.
    “She has stepped up her game offensively and is very strong defensively for our team,” Fitzpatrick said. “Her help defense is excellent.”
    Delaney Fitzpatrick plays the post for Katahdin and is the coach’s daughter.
    “She is a good passer and has a great outside shot,” said Fitzpatrick. “She has worked hard at limiting her fouls and improving her defense this year.”
    Others contributing to the team this season are  Makenzie Roy, Brianna Majkowski, Lizzie Knowles and Michelle Birmingham.
    “Makenzie is a guard who can help us defensively when called upon and is a good outside shooter,” said Fitzpatrick. “Brianna, another guard, helps us defensively and she can also drive to the hoop and draw the foul. Lizzie is a post player, who is strong defensively. She hasn’t played since December due to a knee injury.
    “Michelle is another post player who provides us with good defense and also has a nice shot,” Fitzpatrick said.
    Freshman Molly Cunningham earned a starting position early in the season.
    “Molly’s height and skill have added depth to our post,” said Fitzpatrick. “She is a strong passer and has a great shot. She has really helped us rebounding. She is going to get even stronger and we need her to aggressively take the ball to the hoop. She has done a great job with all that is asked of her this year.
    “My freshmen guards Courtney Stevens and Sophie Vetter have done a great job this year when asked to contribute,” Fitzpatrick noted. “They are both strong ball handlers, shooters, aggressive defenders and are hard workers. They work well together and step up when asked.”
    Despite being low in the Class D standings, Fitzpatrick is proud of how far her players have come.
    “They are playing so competitively. It’s right there, the girls can see it and so can I,” Fitzpatrick said. “This has been a great building year. We haven’t won as many as we would have liked, but we have definitely come to play! The wins will come, we just have to keep working hard and my girls are all hard workers.”