Ashland High is in the midst of an athletic upswing, at least in its girls programs. The girls soccer team made it to the Eastern Maine Class D semis last fall, the basketball squad earned the tourney runner-up award, and this spring the softball team will be going for their second straight EM Class D crown.

The Hornets will have at least two positions to fill, and possibly a third depending on an injury.

But the return of a four-year starter at pitcher and most of the infield, the growth of several freshmen, and the competitive experiences the Ashland girls have had in the past year make the Hornets a favorite to repeat as regional champs.

Ashland went on to a 4-3 loss to Richmond in the state championship.

“I know they’re trying to get back [to the state game],” said ninth-year coach Terry Hunter. “They’re winners, and it’s a good bunch of athletes. But time will tell.”

There shouldn’t be any question about senior Pam Spooner, who has turned out to be of the top pitchers in school history. The senior righty was 14-2 last year and has three pitches this year.

“She’s a very good pitcher and a very good hitter,” Hunter said. “She’s got a fastball and a changeup and we added a curveball which actually does curve a little.”

Against Richmond, Spooner struck out 12, allowed five hits and walked five. She also went 4-for-4, including three doubles.

Other returning starters include junior Angela Belskis at first base, senior Ashlee Peters at second, junior Ashley Nemer at shortstop, senior center fielder Beth Chamberlain, and junior left fielder Danielle Long.

Long, however, is dealing with a knee injury and Hunter isn’t sure how much she’ll play. But he wants her bat in the lineup – she can hit the ball “a country mile,” Hunter said. If Long doesn’t have enough mobility for the outfield she could play a little first base.

“They all can hit,” he added. “That’s always been one of our trademarks.”

Junior Lindsey Long and sophomore Katie Clark will again share time at third base.

The Hornets’ two big additions come at catcher and right field, where freshmen Mindy Chasse and Whitney Flint could have as big of an impact as they did as basketball starters this winter.

Hunter has spent a lot of time working with Chasse, who will replace graduated catcher Cora Campbell. Flint will likely start in right, where Eastern Maine Class D Player of the Year Amber Smith started in 2004, but could play anywhere in the outfield and could also get time at shortstop.

“You name it, [Flint] can play it,” Hunter said.

Nemer and Flint will also back up Spooner, especially which could be important with a stretch of seven games in 10 days at one point in the season.

In addition to Chasse and Flint, other basketball starters on the softball team include Belskis, Nemer and Peters. Chamberlain and Danielle Long came off the bench as the Hornets made their run to the regional title game.

With a layer of ice still clinging to the Ashland field as of Monday, Hunter is unsure if fields in the northern part of Aroostook County will be dry enough for the scheduled opener April 26 in Van Buren.

The Hornets are heading to central Maine during April vacation for games against Madison and the Bangor High junior varsity.

Vikings coach Jipson resigns

Oxford Hills girls basketball coach Craig Jipson, who brought the Vikings of South Paris to the Eastern Maine Class A tournament twice in the last three years, has resigned to spend more time with his family, athletic director Jeff Benson said.

This year Oxford Hills went 13-5 in the regular season and earned the No. 7 seed for the Eastern Maine Class A tournament. The Vikings beat No. 10 Brunswick 41-28 in the preliminary round before losing to No. 2 Skowhegan 46-26 in the quarterfinals.

Skowhegan also beat Oxford Hills in the quarterfinals of the 2003 tourney.

The Vikings made an appearance in the area even earlier this season, knocking Bangor from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 44-36 win in January at Red Barry Gym.

Jipson, who served as the team’s head coach for six years and saw its transition from Western Maine to Eastern Maine, also serves as an assistant football coach, one of the head track and field coaches, and a health teacher at the high school. Benson said he’ll continue in those positions.

“[Basketball is] pretty time-consuming,” Benson said. “He’s got three young kids and he wants to spend time with them.”

Jessica Bloch can be reached at 990-8193, 1-800-310-8600 or jbloch@bangordailynews.net.