LYNDON CENTER – Lincoln Hill continued to have the hot hand from long distance last week to lead the Hazen Union boys basketball team in decisive wins over Lyndon Institute and Peoples Academy (PA).
photo by Vanessa Fournier
Hill rained down 20 points, including five three-pointers on the Vikings last Tuesday as Hazen rolled to a 67-45 win on the road. Senior Sully Laflam added 15 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Fellow senior Morgan Michaud did the dirty work inside with 14 points and seven rebounds. The Wildcats secured their first win in three tries over the Vikes, putting the game out of reach with a 20-7 run to start the second half. Josh Gaskin led Lyndon with 14 points, including a trio of threes as they fell to 2-10.
Hill and fellow junior Jameson Lamarre have broken out this season for the Wildcats. Lamarre has led the offense averaging just under 20 points per game this season and Hill is averaging over 13 points per game, while emerging as a much-needed deep threat. Former Wildcat great and longtime assistant coach Travis Hill has played a big role as well as having a front row seat in Lamarre’s and his youngest son’s development since they were old enough to dribble a basketball.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
“Linc and James really started to raise their games last season in the playoffs. I found myself on the bench just becoming a fan because I still think of the two of them playing on a little tyke’s hoop in Lincoln’s bedroom. Then in AAU and summer league, I watched them grow into young men who could help carry the team along with our seniors. Now Jeter Demers, Kobe Smith and Chayse Newell have grown immensely and become vital parts of what we do as a program. We are all proud of this junior class as a whole,” said Hill.
Lamarre (26 points) and Hill (18) were at it again on Thursday night, leading the Wildcats to a three game season series sweep of PA, while celebrating Hardwick Academy Night with a 69-53 win at the Cat Den. Lamarre added eight rebounds and Hill connected from long range four more times, giving him 17 threes in Hazen’s last four games. Laflam added 10 points and four assists and Michaud did a little of everything, scoring seven points, grabbing nine boards and dishing out eight assists. Jack Lafayette led the Wolves with 27 points as they fell to 4-7 on the season.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
“Linc battled through an injury on his shooting hand early in the season, but he really started to get going and build some confidence against Randolph a few weeks ago. Mostly, I’m just grateful he gets to be part of this great family of boys basketball here at Hazen. He fits right in with the hundreds of others that don’t seek personal recognition and just play to make the community and all the former Wildcats proud. This year’s team is doing that,” said Hill.
The Wildcats (9-3) have vaulted up the Division III standings and are currently ranked second behind Randolph after winning six of their last seven. They got another crack at a red-hot Lamoille (11-1) team on Tuesday that is currently riding a nine-game winning streak. The Lancers edged Hazen 61-54 back in December to capture their first Dave Morse Classic title. The Wildcats wrap up a challenging week on Thursday with a road trip to defending Division III champion Thetford Academy. They return to the Cat Den next Tuesday to take on Montpelier. All home games can be streamed live on Hardwick Community Television (hctv.us).
