CASTLETON – The Hazen Union boys summer hoop team followed up their triumph in Bethlehem, N.H. last week with more positive results over the weekend at the VTSU-Castleton team camp.
Head coach Aaron Hill tested his Wildcat team out of division in the large school bracket and his squad responded with victories over Mt. Mansfield, St. Johnsbury Academy and Burr & Burton. Hazen advanced to the Final Four before falling to eventual camp champion Hartford. The Wildcats toppled the division II Hurricanes last week at the Profile Summer Showdown, finishing off a perfect 4-0 week. Hartford defeated Rutland by double digits in the finals.
“The Castleton Camp was awesome! We were by far the smallest school in our bracket, and it was just a tremendous showing by our kids to get to the Final Four. We had a hard-fought game against Hartford but ultimately exhaustion and injuries wore us down,” said Hill.
During the week, Hill hosted nearly 100 campers in the 24th edition of the Hazen Hoop Camp. Hill’s camp is statewide renowned and drew kids grades 3-9 from all over Vermont and even as far as California. The co-ed camp ran from Monday to Friday, giving aspiring young hoopers some of the best tutelage in the state from Hill and his coaching staff, along with current and former Wildcat players.
“It was amazing to have so many kids come out to the camp again this year. We were able to navigate some very hot weather and have a great week!” said Hill.
Hazen Boys Summer League continues every Monday and Wednesday night at the Cat Den through the first week of August.
