ENOSBURG – With a school record 31 game win streak in their rear-view mirror, the Hazen Union girls basketball team took care of business against Enosburg and Stowe last week, improving to 14-1 on the season.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
Kelsie Rivard poured in a game-high 20 points to help the Lady Cats fend off a stingy Enosburg team on the road last Monday 47-39. Lisey Robtoy (10 points) and her Lady Hornet squad looked upset minded early, taking a 23-21 lead into halftime. Hazen’s defense held the home team to single digit quarters the rest of the way to sweep the season series with a second win in as many weeks. Mya Lumsden had another solid game at point for the Lady Cats, scoring 10 points. Isabelle Gouin and Autumn Dailey combined for 12 more in the win.
Rivard is averaging over 18 points a game this season coming off a sensational freshman campaign that earned her Mountain League Player of the Year honors. She talked of the disappointment, motivation and appreciation for a historical winning streak coming to an end last week at the hands of West Rutland and home-grown talent Peyton Guay, who set the all-time Vermont scoring record in the process.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
“It was exciting, inspirational, and humbling. For me personally, it definitely motivates me to work harder on becoming a better player. It was nerve racking knowing all of the publicity surrounding the game, but that will certainly help us prepare for future games. Although losing our streak was upsetting, it also took a lot of pressure off our backs. I think our biggest necessity going into the playoffs is to stay focused, especially during practices. Also, not to put one game before the other, and Coach Lumsden is making sure that is where our mindset is at,” said Rivard.
Isabelle Gouin led the way with 14 points on Saturday. Senior Baylie Christensen added a season-high 13 points as the Lady Cats thumped Stowe at home 72-6. Rivard added 13 of her own in limited action, Taylor Thompson and Mya Lumsden added 6 apiece, and Julia des Groseilliers chipped in with five in the win. Hazen held Stowe scoreless in the first half, as they continue to search for that allusive first win of the season.
Coach Lumsden and his young team remained cemented in the No. 3 spot in the current Division III rankings behind top seeded Oxbow and Windsor. Bellows Falls and Richford round out the top five. Hazen is unlikely to be challenged again until they travel to Richford in two weeks to wrap up their regular season. They welcome BFA-Fairfax to the Cat Den on Thursday and will stay at home for a matchup against Blue Mountain on Saturday afternoon. All home games can be streamed on Hardwick Community Television (hctv.us).
