HODGDON, Maine — If all of the pre-season buzz surrounding the Hodgdon girls basketball team is correct, the Hawks may be one of the top squads in Class C North this season.
But that does not necessarily mean veteran Coach Wendell Harvey doesn’t see room for improvement. Entering his seventh season with the Hawks, Harvey said his goals for the team are simple.
“We are looking to have a good season,” Harvey said. “We have a very quick team with multiple players able to score in double figures.”
A year ago, the Hawks finished 14-3 in the regular season and were fifth in Class C North. Hodgdon beat Woodland 58-26 in a prelim, defeated Central 53-32 in the quarterfinals and fell to eventual regional champ Stearns 50-35 in the semifinals.
Knowing the key to success is a strong defense, Hodgdon will have a renewed sense of purpose for the new season.
“We are looking to improve on our defense and our defensive rebounding,” Harvey said. “We will work hard to improve as we go throughout the season.”
The team includes seniors Madison Smith (forward), Sadie Thompson (guard), Marissa Dow (guard/forward) and Vickie Porter (center); juniors Meghan Peters (guard), Lexi Rackliff (forward/center), Sydney Harvey (forward), and Aleyah Matheson (guard/forward); sophomores Anna Oliver (point guard), Gracie Little (forward) and Shae Gilbert (guard).
With Oliver, the Hawks have one of the best players in Class C serving as the team’s floor general. Oliver had a sensational freshman season with her ability to make things happen with the basketball in her hands. She has already drawn interest from several colleges around the state and beyond.
Thompson, Dow and Matheson are others who will likely be in the starting lineup on a nightly basis. Thompson and Dow have both shown the ability to hit long-range jumpers, particularly behind the 3-point arc, while Matheson brings a level of scrappiness to the team on both ends of the floor.
The team also got an unexpected boost with the addition of Rackliff, who previously played for Southern Aroostook before transferring to Hodgdon this year. Rackliff gives the Hawks a solid post player, who is also capable of hauling down multiple rebounds per game.
The Hawks lost two seniors to graduation – Monique Polchies and Kaelyn Lawlor, who brought size and rebounding abilities to the team.
In Class C North, PVHS, Central, Fort Kent, Calais, Stearns, Central Aroostook, Fort Fairfield, Matanawcook and Dexter will all be very good teams competing for a place in Bangor,” the coach said. “Class C is a very competitive division this year.”
Chloe Polchies and Sydney Rockwell will serve as the team’s managers, while Mark Faulkingham will be the assistant coach.
