New, familiar coaches take their places on the sidelines

    New and familar coaches join the ranks this year of high school basketball.
    Taking their turn at the helm will be Cliff Urquhart who will coach the Southern Aroostook girls, replacing Jessica Porter, while Steve Gray will take over the Greater Houlton Christian Academy girls, replacing Erika Jackett.
    Mike Fogarty will return to Houlton and veteran coach Vaughn Farrar, former GHCA girls’ coach, will step into the Hodgdon girls’ coaching position.
    Rex Crocker and Chris Young will team up to coach the East Grand boys’ team.
Fogarty reinstated in Houlton
    Returning to the Houlton boys’ varsity squad will be Fogarty, who resigned last spring when the MPA interpretation of the “out-of-season” policy did not allow him to coach his daughter Amanda in the off-season.
    At the time, Fogarty had not wanted to resign his position, but the MPA’s stand was clear — a choice had to be made between his family and the boys’ basketball team. He appealed the ruling and was denied, with a promise the policy would be reviewed.
     “Over a period of a few months, it was determined that the policy would be amended so that a parent/coach would be allowed to coach their child,” he said.
    Since the Houlton position had not been filled, Fogarty submitted his name, interviewed and was approved.
    “I am pleased to have the ruling behind me,” he said. “I am excited about the upcoming season.”
Urquhart takes over SACS girls’ program
    Urquhart, the physical education teacher at Southern Aroostook Community School, has coached the varsity boys’ soccer and has assisted on the boys’ baseball team for the last few years, but he was always interested in coaching basketball.
    “Previously, I had chances to coach the boys’ program, but turned them down because I didn’t want to have the same group of boys for three seasons in a row,” he said. “And, I’m sure they didn’t want me for those time periods either.”
    When Porter decided not to take the job this season, Urquhart decided to put his name in. This will be the first time Urquhart has coached a girls’ squad.
    “I have had all the girls in the classroom and I have always felt we had a good rapport,” he said. “I have always thought of coaching as an extension of teaching, so the transition shouldn’t be too difficult.”
    Through the years, the Southern Aroostook girls have been a Class D contender, bringing home two gold balls in the process, and making numerous tournament appearances.
    “The program has been top notch as far as I can remember,” said Urquhart.
    He recalls watching girls like Jessica and Janna Walker against the Carver girls of Jonesport-Beals in the tournament.
    “There is a lot of history there,” he said. “I want to continue the success of what Tom Berry, Jon and Jessica Porter and previous coaches of the last several decades have accomplished.”
    As with every team, the goal is to make it into postseason action, and hope for a title bid.
    “I don’t think it’s good for  coaches,players or fans to get caught up in just that,” said Urquhart. “There are far more important lessons in sports. I would like to see us win with class and lose with dignity. But, most importantly, learn life lessons along the way.”
    With any adjustments in a program, it takes time for players and coaches to get on the same page.
    “I don’t expect the road to be without bumps along the way,” Urquhart said. “Every team is going to go through their own adversity and I don’t think we will be any different. The best thing we can do is learn from it.”
Gray to lead Lady Eagles
    Steve Gray is stepping into a role he is quite familiar with as the Greater Houlton Christian Academy’s girls’ basketball coach.
    “I thought it was a good opportunity,” said Gray, who assisted Terry Cummings three years ago and helped Erika Jackett at the end of last season.
    A veteran coach, Gray coached all levels at East Grand School for 13 years. Last year, he assisted Sam Henderson with the boy’s program at GHCA.
    “I’ve done whatever I could do to help wherever I was needed,” he said.
    Gray’s attributes of solid experience and a positive personality will be assets to the program.
    “I bring my experience and I like to incorporate fun into our practices,” he said. “I will be trying to continue on the tradition of a hard work ethic and promoting God through sports.”
    During preseason, Gray introduced his rules to the players, and he found some were a bit disgruntled.
    “Some of the girls didn’t care for them,” he said. “But, they are abiding by them. I figure rules will make them work hard and allow me control in game situations.”
    Though there are guidelines to follow, Gray wants to build team unity and foster the Lady Eagles’ attitudes and talent into playing the best basketball that they can.
    “Our goal of course is to win games,” he said, “and have fun doing it.”
    Gray believes his squad may surprise some opponents.
    “I think they are going to be a lot better than even what I expected,” he added. “We have a couple of new girls and a couple who haven’t played for two years. We have good height, but a lot of young players. But, if we work hard that will pay off for us. A lot of games are won with just hustle.”
Farrar on the sidelines of alma mater
    A seasoned coach, Vaughn Farrar will bring his experience to the Hodgdon girls’ program this winter.
    “I’m really excited to be coaching at Hodgdon, my alma mater,” he said. “Everyone has been great from the administration on down to the parents, who have helped me get my feet wet.”
    Farrar watched the Hodgdon girls play and is now getting more acquainted with each one.
    “I am really coming in cold turkey,” he said. “I didn’t know one girl on a personal note except to say ‘hi,” but that has been good in a way. We are still trying to get to know each other. The girls have given me all I could ask for at this point … from effort, attitude and intensity.”
    In the summer to the preseason and through each practice and game, Farrar will lend his knowledge to molding the team, and is hoping for leaders to emerge.
    “I am trying to take in as much as I can the next two weeks to see which girls are really going to take it a step farther for themselves,” he said.
    With an overall coaching record of 39 wins and 19 losses, Farrar knows what it takes to reach postseason and to make a title run.
    “It may not happen overnight, but I think these girls have what it takes to go the next step,” he said. “It’s always a goal to go to Bangor. We have a tough chore ahead of us since we have jumped into Class C. But, I also know good things will happen if you just play hard and have a good attitude.”
    The Lady Hawks possess some quickness, which will aid them in pushing the ball, but Farrar would like to see more aggressive rebounding and better shooting judgement.
    “We need to take the shot if it’s there, and not force it,” he said. “We are working on improving in these areas.”
    Overall, Farrar has been pleased with his squad.
    “It’s going to be very interesting,” he said. “Time will tell how far we go from here. But, I have a great bunch of girls to work with.”