GIRLS BASKETBALL
Stevens 62, Souhegan 25
Jenna Pond led the Cardinals with 23 points on Friday night as they opened their season with a commanding victory. Sydney Miller added 15 points, while Ellie Grenier chipped in 14. After leading only 10-8 after one quarter, Stevens exploded for 25 points in the second to lead at the half 35-15.
John Stark 39, Kearsarge 22
Kearsarge was down 12-4 after one quarter and continued to fight throughout the game. “Had a hard time making a shot tonight,” said Kearsarge head coach Keith Roberts. “The ball wouldn’t go through the hoop for us tonight. Defense was really good all night… just couldn’t get back in the game. The effort was really good from everyone.” Meg Roy lead the Cougars with 8 points and Jordan Busch had 4.
Fall Mountain 54, Winnisquam 11
For FM: Makenna Grillone 10 points, Morgan Beauregard and Sophie Bardis 8 points each. Zoe Utton had 4 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 steals. Sarah Seymour had 5 points for the Bears. Records: FM 3-0; W 0-3. FM’s next game: Tuesday at Newport.
Colebrook 35, Mount Royal 30
The Lady Knights lost 30-35 in overtime. For Mount Royal, Jacinta Hogan had 4 points, Sophie LaRose 6, Hannah Fraioli 2, and Alexis Matte had 18. The Knights hit two 3-pointers in the final 15 seconds – one as time expired – to send the game into overtime. “The Mohawks outrebounded us on the glass, snatching several offensive rebounds,” said Mount Royal head coach Derek Tremblay. “They also converted 17-25 free throws. We only converted 7-13.” Matte, Hogan, and LaRose all fouled out for the Knights.
BOYS BAKETBALL
Fall Mountain 50, Winnisquam 45
“The team played a great defensive game for the entire game,” said FM head coach Justin Cassarino. “We really struggled to put the ball in the basket in the first half. We were moving the ball well and getting to the basket, but nothing would fall. Our defensive intensity picked up in the 3rd, and we were able to get a lot of easy baskets off of turnovers. They continued with the same intensity in the 4th quarter and every player was hitting key shots at the right time.” Jacob Bardis and Owen Marandino led all scorers with 13 and 15 points. “Joey Murdoch played lockdown defense and did a great job of controlling the tempo of the game,” said Cassarino. “Lucien Hagland and Alex Flynn dominated the boards and pushed the ball to the wing to lead the break. It feels good to start our season with a win. The team was really excited afterwards and is looking forward to our next challenge on Tuesday.”
Fair Haven 79, Springfield 25
By BOB FREDETTE
Rutland Herald Correspondent
FAIR HAVEN, Vt. – Fair Haven threw a blanket of furious defense over Springfield and ran away to a 79-25 victory in Friday’s boys Marble Valley League season opener.
When the defense took away the ball, the Slaters went in for two of their 42 points in the paint. When it didn’t, one of five Slaters hit 3-pointers, with five of their nine coming in the first half.
There was little in between. There really didn’t need to be for the defending state champions.
“I told Bob after the game that’s one of the best Division II teams I’ve seen in my time in Vermont,” said Cosmos coach Mike Ruppel. “One through 10, they get after you. And there are times we played good defense and they drove, kicked and shot 3s. They shoot the heck out of it.”
Springfield had 18 turnovers by halftime and trailed 43-15 and an 18-0 run to start the third period tucked the game safely away.
“We try to come out with some intensity and pace because we want to play fast,” said Slaters coach Bob Prenevost. “We’re going to try to press all season if we can. Once our feet are going our offense flows and our quick break flows and our offensive sets go.”
Cam Coloutti had 17 points, Kohlby Murray 13, Parker Morse 12 and Aubrey Ramey 10 for the Slaters. Damian Warner and Noah Zierfus had eight apiece for the Cosmos.
Warner and Ziefrus returned early fire with a 3 apiece but little structure was evident in the Cosmos’ offensive end because the Slaters did everything in their power to make them uncomfortable all over the court. The Slaters had nine steals in the first half alone.
“I think our kids played hard but we’ve got to make better decisions,” Ruppel said. “I thought the defense dictated to us. We’ve got to be more composed when a team gets up in us like Fair Haven did.”
Ramey’s 10 points – with two treys – and the Slaters transition game defined the first eight minutes. Murray, last year’s JV point guard, had an impressive debut with his quickness, tenacity and passing but the Slaters as a whole were impressive sharing the ball with crisp passes.
Coloutti, the Slaters’ heralded scorer, imposed his will inside and out with 10 points in the second and Murray had 11 of his 13 by halftime as Fair Haven put a death grip on the outcome early.
The Springfield coaching staff was gentle in the postgame locker room, pointing out the good things they saw, while the Cosmos were quick to point out what they need to work out.
“We knew we weren’t going to be the best we can be on December 7,” Ruppel said.
“They’re feeling OK. They know what we have to work on. Now we go back in the gym and we try to get better.”
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