Wildcats visiting Hardwick House of Pizza for a post game gathering with fans following a hard-fought Division III final at the Barre “Aud”.
In a hard fought Division III final, much closer than the final score indicates, Thetford topped the Hazen Wildcats 57-53.
Hazen split its regular season matchups with the Panthers, who handed the Wildcats their first loss of the season, which the Wildcats avenged in their second meeting. This final pairing was sure to be a good one and it did not disappoint.
The Wildcats jumped ahead quickly and led convincingly through the first half as they controlled both ends of the court, taking a nine point lead into halftime.
The Panthers showed their stuff in the second half, keeping the ball away from Moodie and Hill when it mattered. Good anticipation of a play in the game’s final seconds and two penalty buckets put the Panthers on top when all was said and done.
Xavier Hill had 17 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists with Brendan Moodie’s 16 points close behind. Gabriel Michaud added seven points, Jameson Lamarre contributed six, and Ryan Morrison slipped in five of his own to round out the Wildcat’s scoring.
The Wildcats can be proud of a 20-4 season where they went 12-3 in league play.
The Wildcat girls and boys varsity basketball teams both led their leagues for the first time in school history.
Hazen’s Varsity Girl Wildcats make their semifinal appearance this Thursday, March 7 at the Barre Auditorium, meeting the White River Valley Wildcats at 6:30.
