by Ken Brown
PROCTOR – The Twinfield-Cabot boys’ basketball team fell just short of defending their Bob Abrahamson Tip-off Classic title over the weekend, but first-year head coach Kris Badore has a lot to smile about with his team’s 1–1 start to the season.
Super sophomore Tej Stewart poured in a game-high 31 points to lead the Trojans to a 77-53 win over Twin Valley on Friday night in the first round of the Bob Abe Tip-off Classic. Stewart connected on four of the team’s 16 field goals from long range as Twinfield-Cabot took a 38-30 lead into the break.
Senior Meles Gouge had an efficient game running the offense with 19 points, extending the Trojan lead to 21 after three quarters. Brayden Cushing knocked down four three-pointers for a solid 12-point night and Sam Russell chipped in with 11 in the win. Brayden Brown led the Wildcats with 19 points in the loss.
The Trojans hung tough in the championship game on Saturday despite being down two starters, but Carter Crossmon and Chase Razanouski’s combined 43 points were too much as Proctor took the title 81-72.
Stewart had the hot hand again for Twinfield-Cabot, scoring a game-high 30 to give the visitors a 30-29 edge heading into halftime.
Crossman (22) and Razanouski (21) wore the depleted Trojans down with a 15-0 run to start the second half, taking a 44-30 lead after three quarters.
Eli Russel broke out for 19 points to get Twinfield-Cabot back within striking distance at 76-72 with a little over a minute left in regulation, but the Phantoms salted the game away at the free throw line down the stretch.
Aaron Brock added 19 points, including four three-pointers for Proctor in the win, as they start the season 2-0. Sam McLane chipped in with eight points for the Trojans and Dominick Hale was tough inside with a double digit rebound night in the loss.
“Communication is the key. I like where we are offensively after two games, but we really need to focus on our defense going forward. Our sophomores Tej and Eli stepped up and led us on Saturday and Dom did a great job on the boards for us,” said Badore.
Badore was missing senior captain Sam Russell’s leadership in the championship game and the news got worse when Gouge joined Russell on the injury report just two minutes into the contest.
Stewart is picking right up where he left off for the Trojans after a stellar freshman season that earned him a Vermont Dream Dozen selection. Brayden Brown poured in 22 points for Twin Valley in the consolation game as they edged Poultney 55-51.
“I liked the way the guys battled missing two of our starters and we’ll get back into the gym and continue to work on the defensive end. We’re excited for our home opener this week and we’re looking forward to getting guys healthy and we’ll get back after it,” said Badore.
The Trojans will welcome Christ Covenant to town on Thursday night and are scheduled to square off against Division III Oxbow in a league match-up at home next Wednesday.
