Lady Hawks play Tigers tough on home court

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    At Hodgdon Wednesday, the Lady Hawks gave Fort Fairfield a tough contest, but ultimately the Tigers prevailed, 71-61.
    Fort Fairfield had to overcome a 48-44 deficit after three quarters by outscoring Hodgdon 27-13 in the final period.
    Mariah Wiley netted 20 points for Hodgdon, while Lacey McQuarrie added 15; Haley Quint, 10; Haley Gardiner, seven.    Both teams converted open looks at the basket by forcing turnovers in the backcourt. Hodgdon’s full-court press frustrated Fort Fairfield on numerous occasions, but the Lady Hawks were unable to sustain that pressure in the final quarter.
Pioneer Times photograph/Joseph Cyr
SPLITS THE ‘D’ — Fort Fairfield’s Amanda Hotham splits Hodgdon defenders, left, Haley Gardiner and Mariah Wiley.
    “I am so pleased with the girls’ effort tonight,” Hodgdon coach Vaughn Farrar said. “We knew we were capable of playing like this. It was just a matter of being confident with it. I think our team grew up a lot tonight.”
    Farrar said his team needed to press Fort Fairfield to force quick turnovers, which his team was able to accomplish. However, the Lady Hawks also needed to cut down on their fouls, which was something Hodgdon was unable to do.
    Fort Fairfield sank 18-of-21 foul shots (86 percent), while the Lady Hawks mustered just two-of-five free throws (40 percent)
    “I knew Hodgdon would play very well and would press us,” Fort Fairfield coach Larry Gardner said.
    Fatigue was a bit of a factor for the Tigers in Wednesday’s game. Fort Fairfield used just one substitute for the entire contest.
    “We haven’t played very much for the past two-and-a-half weeks and the girls are tired of practicing,” Gardner said. “We know have nine games in the next 17 days, so we’ll be busy.”
    Fort Fairfield led 21-15 in the first quarter and nursed a 35-31 lead into the halftime break before Hodgdon roared, outscoring the Tigers 17-9 in the third stanza.
Pioneer Times photograph/Joseph Cyr
IT’S MINE — Hodgdon’s Haley Quint and Fort Fairfield’s Danielle Tracy both go for the ball during last Wednesday’s contest.