Thetford Ends Incredible Wildcat Run

BARRE – The Hazen Union boys basketball team toppled 22-0 White River Valley last week before falling to Thetford Academy for a second straight year in the finals, bringing an end to what was an amazing run of upsets and roller coaster escapes throughout the season and the Division III state tournament.

Brendan Moodie continued to put his stamp on an all-time great senior season, draining 6 threes on his way to a 24-point performance to lead Hazen to the upset of the tournament last Thursday, downing White River 62-50. Sophomore Jameson Lamarre introduced himself to the Barre Auditorium with a playoff career-high 21 points to help Hazen take a 24-20 lead into the break. Moodie refused to let White River’s Wildcats make a run in the third, canning four shots from long range. When he banked home a three to make it a double-digit lead with a minute to go in the period, the crowd draped in red exploded and the upset alert was real. White River made several late charges in the final eight minutes, but Lamarre punished the Wildcats inside with 11 points and several spectacular finishes at the rim. Moodie, Lamarre, Sully Laflam, Morgan Michaud, and Lincoln Hill all did their part at the free throw line down the stretch to secure the win.

Zander Clark led White River with 15 points and Jacob Barcomb added 10 in the loss as their championship run ended as the top seed at 22-1. For head coach Aaron Hill and his young team with only one senior starter, it was the fourth straight earned trip to the state title game. His team has experienced it all this season in the rough waters of the mighty Capital League, from buzzer beating wins, to surprising losses against Stowe, to surprising wins on the road against Harwood. Hill has loved every minute of it.

“This is a young team without a lot of varsity experience, and they surprised people all season long. I honesty can’t remember having a team like this before and I don’t think many saw this coming. This team staved off so many challenges throughout the season and through it all, they stayed together. Their resilience was their greatest quality,” said Hill.

Thetford Academy popped Hazen’s championship balloon for a second straight season, steamrolling to a 58-44 on Saturday night behind their five senior starters. Hunter Clay led the Panthers dominant title defense with a game-high 19 points as Thetford raced out to a 36-20 halftime lead and never let the Wildcats make a run. Matt Vivian (15 points) drained a trio of threes on the night as they built the lead to 21 with eight minutes to play. The Panthers cruised down the stretch for their fourth Division III title in the last six years. Lamarre finished up his impressive debut at the Aud with 16 more points and Moodie finished with 13. His senior campaign leading this young Wildcat team will go down with some of the all-time greats in program history. He averaged over 19 points per game this season, scored 92 points in 4 playoff games that included upset wins over Richford and White River, draining 13 threes along the way. Hill will lose Moodie, Taylor Cloutier, and Craftsbury Academy’s Evan LaMare to graduation in the spring.

“This was such a special season and no matter what, this was a team that has made me proud. This year’s three seniors were everything you would ever ask for as a coach. They were great teammates and brought their heart to every practice or game. They have left their mark on our program and will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Hill.

In 26 years leading the Wildcat program, Hill has amassed 430 wins, 16 Final Four appearances, six state runners-up, and six state championships.

Ken Brown