Paige Fourtin throws a lot of faith into the people who are coaching her to become the best player and person she can be.
She has played for Coach Maria Conlon for three years at Notre Dame-Fairfield and transferred to Greens Farms Academy shortly after it was announced the coach was taking over the Dragons' program.
Likewise, it was Fourtin’s connection with Mercy College women’s basketball coach Scott Lagas that led the Dragons senior guard to Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., for the next four years.
Earlier this year, Fourtin was one of seven Dragons who had signed her National Letter of Intent to play at the next level.
“The coach at Mercy, he really showed an interest in me,” Fourtin said. “I know that he believed in me so that was one of the main reasons. And when I went to visit the school, the atmosphere was so welcoming, and I just loved the community.”
Fourtin admits she is a small-school kind of student.
It’s why she attended Notre Dame-Fairfield and why, when she decided to transfer to GFA, she decided to become a Dragon.
“Yeah, it’s just the kind of person I am,” she said.
"Paige is the first kid I’ve had for four years," Conlon said. "She was freshman when I started at Notre Dame-Fairfield and she's here now. From a character and integrity standpoint, she's a kid I can always rely on. She's always one of the first kids in the gym and one of the hardest workers. She just loves the game of basketball. It's been so great to watch her improve as a player and a person over these last four years."
Her connection with Conlon brought to Fourtin to GFA, a place she admits has already changed her future in profound ways.
“I was definitely super nervous coming in because I had never really transferred to a new school before, but I like definitely fit in right away,” Fourtin said. “It was a smooth process coming in. I kind of came in with Coach. She just said it would be a great opportunity for me and before I got here, I really didn’t have any offers at all. I love her so much as a coach, so it was definitely a no-brainer.”
Fourtin has helped the Dragons get off to an 8-2 start this season, but the best part of her senior season might be in the fact that she’s getting to enjoy it, having already made her college decision.
“It’s definitely relieving,” she said. “There’s definitely no pressure on me about going to college.”