The amount of returning players is astonishing for the Frontier girls basketball team this season. Even with a group of familiar players, the season will look different for the Redhawks.
“All of them are returning,” Frontier coach David Hastings said. “Nine players were varsity and two were swing players. I came in and said, ‘everybody that was on varsity last year is on varsity this year’. All of their skill sets really mix well together. It’s a well-balanced team.”
Last season, the Redhawks went 18-4 and made it to the Division 4 state tournament Round of 16. But with a new season comes new challenges. Frontier moves into the Suburban league this year. They will play the likes of Lenox, Drury, Hoosac Valley, Pope Francis and Wahconah. That’s a lot of trips to the Berkshires.
“It will be interesting because they moved up,” Hastings said. “They will play all the Berkshires teams. Always much better competition, but you need that when you are getting ready to play in the tournament.”
Early in the preseason, the Redhawks are adapting to a new system under Hastings. Things will be more up-tempo and there will be a lot of running on both sides of the ball.
“I am really changing everything they’ve done,” Hastings said. “There’s a certain amount of growth that needs to happen as far as terminology. They are really good, coachable girls. I’ve enjoyed it. They are a fun group.”
Addie Harrington provides consistent scoring for the Redhawks. She combines a good ability to finish around the rim with a silky jumper. Harrington goes into the season with 867 career points.
“My expectations for myself are to be a leader,” Harrington said. “Take control when it’s needed and facilitate. For our team we are big in communication and overall, just working together. That’s when we do our best.”
There is still a missing piece to Frontier’s season. A rebounding force that returns at the end of December for the Redhawks.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have one of our strongest players for the first month,” Harrington said. “I think we can hold our own. We have to play stronger and play bigger.
Harrington is referring to Harper Modestow. The junior center is still rehabbing her ACL and will miss the beginning of the season. She is in the late stages of her rehab, focusing on weight training with some basketball movement.
Modestow showed up to Thursday’s practice, strapped on an athletic brace and got on the court with her teammates.
“I am almost at a return to full play,” Modestow said. “I am doing the majority of practice. I am looking to be ready to go in a month. I trust my knee. I don’t feel it when I am playing. The brace doesn’t bother me. I am very comfortable, and I am ready to go. But the surgeon tells me I have to wait.”
Modestow had to watch the Frontier field hockey team from the bench. She used the time to look at the sports differently, but is looking forward to competition with her teammates.
“It’s hard,” Modestow said. “But what really got me through it is taking it from the perspective of a coach, looking at how the game is played. That really helped me. Looking at the logistical side of things.”
Frontier will look to seniors Whitney Campbell and Macy DeMaio for athleticism and leadership. Juniors Skyler Steele and Jazzy Hayes add some scoring for the Redhawks.
The Redhawks host Northampton on Thursday, Dec. 11 in their season opener.