Warriors defeat Hawks in mutual opener; play without Dakota
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
Going into Monday night’s game in Hodgdon, Southern Aroostook was without the services of senior point guard Dakota Sleeper, who had to sit out the next varsity game after a soccer infraction during the Warriors’ last soccer game.
LAY UP – Hodgdon’s Chris Williams slides by Southern Aroostook’s Anthony Diaferio for a lay up, as Diaferio avoids picking up a foul on the play. Williams scored 28 points, as the Hawks lost their opener to Southern Aroostook, 72-62.
So, without the offensive prowess of Sleeper, coach Vaughn Sleeper saw this as a test for his team.
“You get better through adversity,” said coach Sleeper. “I said before we took the floor, we’d be a better team after this game was over. And, I believe we are.”
Hodgdon on the other hand is adjusting under second-year coach Jerry Adams from being a Class D team to competing in the Class C ranks.
“We are working a new system where I am playing more kids,” said Adams. “They are still learning their roles.”
The score was 12-all after the first quarter, but the Warriors behind the heady play of junior captain Cody Robinson forged a 32-27 halftime advantage. In the third, Robinson led his team to a 50-38 lead, as the Warriors opened their season with a huge 72-62 win over Class C Hodgdon.
“We never contested a shot in the middle,” said Adams. “The Warriors outplayed us in every aspect of the game. They showed more heart than my kids.”
As with every team, court adjustments have to be made by the players on the floor, and the Hawks guards weren’t able to stop Robinson on the dribble, while their post players never came up enough to counter Robinson’s short jumper from just within the free throw line.
“In the second half, I expected them to double and triple team me,” said Robinson. “I just knew, even at the beginning of the game, I had to get in the paint and try to get fouls on the big guys. So, I was just trying to drive to the rack all game.”
“Our defense should have been better than it was,” Adams added.
The Hawks were down 17 points, but pulled to within seven points late in the fourth, but couldn’t get defensive stops when they needed them to make a comeback.
“Cody is a great ballplayer,” Sleeper said. “But, I know my guys can all play ball. You just have to perform.”
WIDE OPEN – Southern Aroostook’s Cody Robinson sneaks in behind Hodgdon’s defense during Monday’s game in Hodgdon. Robinson shouldered the scoring for the Warriors with 35 points in the 72-62 win.
Robinson almost tied the scoring of his teammates, as he alone fired in 35 points. Jesse Small and Travis Casey each scored nine points in the win.
“I knew this was going to be a tough game,” said Robinson. “I also knew I had to step up because I am the other captain. Everyone else played well, too. They hustled and tried as hard as they could.”
Robinson said he didn’t feel pressure even though he was the go-to man.
“Coach helped me calm down and supported me through these last few practices,” said Robinson. “We went through what we were going to do for this game, so I knew what to expect.”
For Hodgdon, Chris Williams netted 28 points, with Dan McGillicuddy dropping in 15.
“Playing [without Dakota] was the best thing that could ever have happened to us,” said Sleeper. “This group needed this. They had to do this to believe in themselves. This was a great shot in the arm for all of us.”
