The Foxcroft Ponies girls basketball tram will have some familiar faces on a squad that will be much different overall.
The Ponies lost two players to graduation that led the team in every category. Cassidy Marsh and Jenna Anderson will be two of the four returning seniors that coach Blake Smith will look to be key contributors.
“Cassidy Marsh will lead us with the experience of starting the last two years. Cassidy has great potential as a scorer. She can be a threat from the perimeter and off the dribble,”Smith said. “Jenna Anderson is the other returning starter. Jenna has approached the game this year with more confidence and understanding. She will hopefully fill the rebound void left by one of the graduates from last year.”
Natalie Robinson and Karis Dankert will have more significant roles for the 2019/2020 team.
“Natalie Robinson began to develop as a contributor last year but was sidelined by an ankle issue. She will hopefully become a big presence in the post,”Smith said. “Our final senior, Karis Dankert, became a role player for us last year and always made contributions when on the floor. It will be vital for her to play a bigger role this year.”
The young squad will have at least four freshman part of the roster. Leading that group will be Annie Raynes.
“Annie Raynes will lead our freshman class as a tremendously talented basketball player. She has a great handle and sees the floor well. Destiny Weymouth will be another asset in the post with potential to be a factor from the perimeter,”Smith said. “Justice Batchelder is another post player with the ability to rebound well. Abby Knapp will round out the roster as our biggest post presence. Her skills in the post are strong and her potential huge.”
Smith is hoping for continued improvement throughout the season. The Ponies start off with a difficult part of the schedule. They play Hermon twice in their first five games, including the season opener. After the trip to Hermon on December 6th, the Ponies will play their home opener against Old Town on December 10th. They will host another class B contender MDI on December 13th. Foxcroft will finish the season playing four of their final five games on the road.
“We will be very young and playing in the Big East conference with several returning powerhouse teams that include Hermon, Old Town, and MDI,”Smith said. We hope to improve all season long and position ourselves for a playoff berth.”
Outlook: a lot of young talent that will improve as the season goes on. Expect the Ponies to be playing big games late in the season.
