COMING THROUGH: Hun School girls’ basketball player Erin Maguire drives between two foes in recent action. Post-graduate Maguire, a native of Ireland, is leading Hun in points (133), assists (27), rebounds (52), and steals (32) as the Raiders have gotten off to a 3-5 start. In upcoming action, Hun is slated to host Friere Charter School (Pa.) on January 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although the Hun School girls’ basketball team suffered defeats in its last two contests before going on holiday break, Bill Holup wasn’t discouraged.

“I thought our defense in both games before the break was good,” said Hun head coach Holup, whose team fell 43-31 to Friends Central (Pa.) on December 16 and 32-23 to Germantown Friends (Pa.) on December 14 and is bringing a 3-5 record into 2022.

“They were very low scoring games. We had couple of girls who were out and that hurt a bit. Offensively we have been struggling a bit in the last couple of games. We just haven’t been able to find the bottom of the net. Our defense has actually kept us competitive.”

In Holup’s view, facing competitive foes will steel his squad for the challenges ahead.  

“My emphasis to the girls after our last game against Friends Central is that this is going to prepare us for the MAPL (Mid-Atlantic Prep League) games when we see Lawrenceville, Peddie, Hill, Mercersburg, and Blair,” said Holup. “It is good to play tough competition and hopefully we will be ready for our league games. You never like to have a losing record but the schedule that we have played with the Peddie tournament and playing these Friends schools will certainly prepare us.”

Post-graduate Erin Maguire, a native of Ireland, who is leading Hun in points (133), assists (27), rebounds (52), and steals (32), has brought a toughness to the Raiders.

“Her energy, overall enthusiasm, and competitive fire is really what she has been bringing to the team,” said Holup.

At forward, junior Sasha Moise’s enthusiasm and intensity has made a difference for Hun.

“Sasha is competitive but she has fun the entire time as well,” said Holup.

“I think that is what makes such a positive impact. She is talented, she has fun, and she is so close to these girls. She is a co-captain this year and that is mainly because of her personality. The other girls really respect her and respond to her.”

Senior Kiera Hahn’s work ethic has earned the respect of her teammates as well.

“Kiera is just an all-around player for us, usually she does a lot of that dirty work out there,” said Holup.

“She will guard a forward, she will guard a guard, she comes up with loose balls, she draws charges. Her overall leadership now being a four-year player for the varsity team is really something that the girls respect and look up to.”

The return of forward junior Addy Ruth from injury should give the Raiders a lift.

“Addy missed the past four games, she got hurt in the second game that we played at the Peddie tournament,” said Holup.

“She should be back and cleared. She gives us that height and experience because she is also older as a junior. That is something we missed the past few games without her.”

With Hun slated to start the 2022 portion of its schedule when it hosts Friere Charter School (Pa.) on January 11, Holup is confident things will come together for his squad.

“We are coming back from two weeks off, it is always like starting again,” said Holup.

“The girls just need to get reacquainted, just play basketball again, stay healthy, and the chips will fall in place.”