
Kristina Bruce attempts a shot from under the basket. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
HUDSON — Many hands make light work.
… Or many Hawks make light work?
However the saying goes, this Hudson team embodies it. With contributions from across the roster, the Hawks are proving to be fierce competitors. The group’s teamwork, unselfishness, and camaraderie were apparent as the Hawks took down Quabbin Regional, 39-24, Friday night at Hudson High School.
“It was a big team effort. This is what we try to do all the time — we try to get everyone involved, we try to move the ball around and not have a primary option. We like to have everyone be an option. Every night, a different kid needs to step up, and they’ve been doing just that,” Head Coach Marty Murphy told the Community Advocate.
Against Quabbin, the Hawk who “stepped up” most noticeably was sophomore Daria Giorgi Woodford, who had a team-leading 11 points. Though she was quiet when Hudson pulled out to an early lead, Giorgi Woodford’s offensive production — particularly in the fourth quarter — was key as the Hawks staved off Quabbin’s comeback bid.
After starting the season 2-3, the Hawks are now playing together as a team.
“It was a rough start [to the season], but we’re working as a team and family. We’ve come a long way, we worked on it, and it’s definitely showing now,” said Giorgi Woodford.
“It’s a process that you go through — it has its peaks and valleys. A lot of the girls play soccer together and are friends off the court, and it’s sometimes easier to mix kids in like that. They’re gelling, they’re mixing together, and we’re definitely playing better than we were a month ago,” added Murphy.

Riley Maksymiak (front) and teammates cheer from the bench. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Giorgi Woodford’s effort was complemented by an excellent game from junior Kristina Bruce (9 points), senior Maddie Haher (9 points), Sarah Libby (4 points), and Alexis Robinson (4 points). Emma Leonardo and Riley Maksymiak helped facilitate the offense.
“We looked for the right pass and the right shot,” explained Bruce. “We weren’t forcing anything. We were playing really well as a team.”
The morale-boosting win marks the end of an exhausting week for Hudson. On Tuesday, the team defeated Lunenburg, and on Thursday — less than 24 hours before the Quabbin contest — the group bested Doherty.
Now, the Hawks will rest up — so they can repeat the grueling schedule again next week. Hudson hopes that, like this week of games, the Tuesday-Thursday-Friday slate will result in three consecutive wins.
Is the schedule a challenge? Sure, Murphy admitted.
But there’s no rest for the weary.
And, when the team is playing like this, why would you want to stop?
“We felt real good today,” said Murphy. “It was a concern, because last night’s game was a battle. Could they do this back-to-back thing? I thought they responded really well. It was definitely a concern before the game — but they did well.”

Airborne, Daria Giorgi Woodford looks for an open teammate. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Alexis Robinson rounds the corner en route to the basket. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Emma Leonardo looks for an open teammate. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Maddie Haher keeps the ball away from the Quabbin opponent. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Alexis Robinson attempts a free throw. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Maddie Haher drives to the basket. (Photo/Evan Walsh)