by Ken Brown
OXBOW – After dropping their first three games of the season over the holiday break, the Craftsbury Academy (CA) boys’ basketball team fell to Division III Oxbow on the road last week.
Reese Ilsley and Ethan Davis powered the offense for the Olympians as they defended their home court with a 62-24 win last Wednesday night. Oxbow improved to 3-7 on the season.
After a trio of cancellations due to scheduling, the Chargers tipped off their season on the road, falling to Richford 100-42 three days before Christmas.
Five days later, Danville handed CA a 71-31 loss in their home opener. Andrew Joncas led the Bears with 13 and Anthony Raymond added 12 and 13 rebounds, as they improved to 6-2 on the season. Senior Dylan Washer led CA with 14 points and Landon Miller chipped in with eight.
Blue Mountain came to town two days later and outlasted the Chargers 55-38 behind 22 points from Kason Blood. CA was down only three at the half behind Miller’s team-high 13 points.
Head coach Brandon Berry has an uphill battle in his first year leading the Charger program, with limited numbers giving him only a single substitution on most nights, and a rugged Mountain League schedule in front of him.
“I just want to praise our guys that have been showing up to practice every day and putting in the work. With a small squad, it’s super important to have the dedication these guys have. Without them, there is no season,” said Berry.
CA will travel to Twinfield-Cabot on Wednesday and will stay on the road for a rematch with Blue Mountain on Friday night. Christ Covenant is scheduled to travel to the Common on Monday.
Chargers Place Third Behind Marquis
SWANTON – Jacob Marquis set a new program record last week in helping his Craftsbury Academy bowling team place third in their home opener at Missisquoi Lanes.
Marquis bowled a 469 series over the weekend, that included a record-breaking 257. Matt Wilcox contributed with a solid high game of 215. The Chargers placed second in the seeding round and finished third behind Randolph and South Burlington.
“Overall, the team came together and bowled well and what Jason did was amazing! We had all seven bowlers rolling on Saturday and subbed to get some experience in Bakers for all,” said head coach Ashley Gravel.
Ca will be back in action this weekend at Spare Time in Colchester.
Vikings Keep Pace with Division Leaders
LYNDONVILLE – Hazen Union’s Andrew Menard, Max Fortmann, and the Lyndon Institute (LI) boys’ hockey team went 2-1 over the holiday break, before falling to Brattleboro over the weekend, putting their record at 5-2-1 on the season.
Brattleboro came back from a 4-3 deficit to hand the Vikings a 5-4 home loss over the weekend. Lyndon had won five of six, losing only to U-32 two days after Christmas, with Menard finding the back of the net in a furious comeback that came up just short. The Vikings are currently ranked third in the Division II standings, with Hartford the only remaining team without a loss on the season.
Menard, Fortmann, and the Vikings are back on the ice Wednesday night for a road match-up with Northfield.
Hill on the Brink of History
HARDWICK – If you venture to the Cat Den on Wednesday or Friday night to watch the Hazen Union boys’ basketball team, chances are good you’ll be witnessing history.
Head coach Aaron Hill sits on 399 career wins and when he joins the 400-club (most likely this week), he will do it before the age of 50. Hill has meticulously constructed a dynastic basketball program and community in the town of Hardwick, reaching 14 Final Fours, and winning six state championships along the way. Hill is currently the interim Hazen Union athletic director, so there will be little to no self-promotion for what should be a historical night.
Hill and his 6-1 Wildcats will go for No. 400 on Wednesday night against Randolph and will host Harwood Union on Friday.
