Hunters Girls Basketball Returns to the Court with First Varsity Team in Years

This winter’s roster has six total players – one senior, one sophomore, and four freshmen. The junior high season is still underway, but Ward hopes to have two eighth-grade girls playing up.

Ward said she’s entering the season with a focus on development, positivity, and enjoying the experience.

“Our expectations going into the season are to learn to work as a team, do our best, and have fun, no matter what,” she said. “We will make a lot of mistakes, as we are a very young team, but learning from them and staying positive is what I hope that they get out of the season.”

The lone senior on the roster is poised for a special year after spending her high school career playing boys junior varsity (JV) basketball.

“It will be awesome for our senior to have a girls' team her senior year, as she has been playing on the boys JV throughout high school, just so that she could play,” Ward said.

She added she isn't sure who will be the standout leaders until games begin, but she already sees qualities that could become the team’s foundation as they adjust to varsity competition.

“Hopefully our strengths will be that they will be tough, with only one sub that they will be in great shape, and they are on the aggressive side,” she said.

Because Hunters High School hasn’t had a girls team for years, scouting league opposition is a challenge.

“We truly haven't seen too many of the girls' teams play,” Ward said. “Just from watching volleyball, I would assume that Northport will be pretty tough, if the same girls play.”

Still, Ward said the season’s biggest goals have nothing to do with the win-loss record.

“We are young, pretty inexperienced and hopefully they have a fun season,” she said.