Interest in basketball on the rise at Mill Pond

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HODGDON — Interest in basketball appears to be at an all-time high in SAD 70 as the Hodgdon Mill Pond School has 32 middle school students have signed on to play this winter.
    According to Wayne Quint, athletic director for SAD 70, the district is looking for an additional person to help manage home practices to assist girls coach Sarah Harbison and boys coach Jason Little. Quint presented his information for additional coaches to the SAD 70 school board Nov. 13, although board action was not required.
    “We have so many girls and boys playing and that’s a great problem to have,” Quint said. “However, one person just cannot handle 17 people in a practice setting. The kids just would not get the attention they need.”
    Quint said any individual they find to assist with basketball will not have to go on trips. They are only needed to assist with practices.
    “The fact that we have so many girls on this teams is overwhelming for me, but it is a great problem to have,” wrote Harbison, in letter presented to the school board. “I feel very fortunate to have so many interested in playing basketball.”
    At the middle school level, Quint said, the focus should not be on the scoreboard. Rather it should be on learning the fundamentals of the game so they are better prepared for entering the high school programs.
    “First thing, it is important for all of these kids to have fun,” Quint said. “But they can’t have fun if they are embarrassed to go on the floor. If they are embarrassed because they don’t have the skills, they won’t participate. We want them to be part of the group, but need someone to help.”
    SAD 70 Superintendent Bob McDaniel said financing the extra stipend position should not have a negative impact on the current fiscal budget.