WINDSOR – Fair Haven senior Lily Briggs was awarded the Tristan Southworth Memorial Scholarship last weekend at the VBCA Senior All-Star weekend at Windsor High School.
Southworth graduated from Hazen Union a multi-sport standout in 2007 before tragically losing his life in the line of duty in 2010 in Afghanistan.
The Walden native led the Wildcat baseball team back to Centennial Field in the Division III state title game as a senior in 2007. Southworth pitched the final 18 plus innings of Hazen’s playoff run that spring. In basketball, Southworth’s strong three-point shooting, and defense helped Hazen reach three state title games, capturing the 2006 Division III state championship.
He was also a VBCA Vermont Dream Dozen selection after his junior season at Hazen. He always felt a strong need to serve his community and enlisted in the Vermont National Guard before the beginning of his senior year in high school. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his bravery in service to his country. He exemplified what sports are all about. He was an intense competitor who always deflected praise to teammates and obsessively protected the feelings of those less gifted than him, all with a sharp wit and general thoughtfulness.
The Hazen Union community feels extremely fortunate to call him one of their own. In Southworth’s memory the VBCA awards a $750 scholarship at the end of every Vermont high school basketball season to someone who also represents their school and community with distinction.
Briggs, in her senior season, helped Fair Haven come back from a double-digit deficit to knock off top-seeded North Country to win the Division II state title earlier this month at the Barre Auditorium. Fair Haven trailed North Country and reigning Vermont Gatorade Player of the Year Sabine Brueck 30-18 at the break but stormed back to shock the Lady Falcons 55-50 to give Briggs and Fair Haven their first title in three tries during her career.
The Lady Slaters have made the Final Four the past two seasons with Briggs in the lineup, winning 39 games against just seven losses. The talented senior capped off her high school basketball career with a VBCA Senior All-Star selection and the Tristan Southworth Memorial Scholarship.
The award has gone to some special student athletes over the years, but none more deserving than senior captain Carter Hill of the 2021 Hazen Union basketball team that claimed the Division III state title. Hill was a defensive force for that championship team and also capped off his stellar high school career with a VBCA Senior All-Star selection and the Tristan Southworth Memorial Scholarship.
