By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
WINDSOR, Vt. — A few weeks ago in Brattleboro, the Jacks lost their first game of the season with only six players suited up. But on Thursday at home it was a much different story as Kabray Rockwood’s group made a statement win over Division I Brattleboro, 51-26.
“We looked at this as a revenge game,” said Elliot Rupp as the Windsor defense was the difference in the win. “We needed to step on the floor and show everyone what we’re made of.”
Both teams were running like the wind early but their feet didn’t seem to catch up with their shooting touch as the shots were flying but not dropping. Windsor was holding on to a 6-2 lead midway into the first quarter then the Jacks found a hot streak. Reese Perry rolled in a free throw, E. Rupp dropped in a jumper, Peyton Richardson swished a shot from beyond the arc, and Rupp finished the 8-0 run to grab a 14-2 lead after the first quarter.
Karen Kapuscinski was in a battle defending Brattleboro’s Montana Frehsee all night in the paint while there isn’t an inside player that can run the floor with Kapuscinski who just does all the little things that never show up in the stats page.
“Things were sloppy but we stayed with it and mixed things up a bit with lots of underclassmen hitting the floor,” K. Rockwood said.
The Windsor defense limited Brattleboro to only seven first-half points but the Jacks weren’t having their best shooting night of the season. Sydney Perry’s block closed out the half as Windsor increased their lead to 23-7 with freshmen Audrey Rupp and Sophia Rockwood getting plenty of time at guard.
After a flat start to the second half, an early Windsor timeout ignited a fire as the Jacks would rip off 10 quick points as S. Rockwood and E. Rupp knocked down three pointers to give Windsor a 33-10 lead. With the Perry sisters on the court at the same time, the prettiest play of the night came when S. Perry hit the floor to grab a loose ball and shoveled it to Reese for a layup that brought the Windsor crowd alive.
“Windsor wanted it more tonight,” said Brattleboro head coach Chris Worden as Windsor entered the final quarter with a 40-20 lead. “They worked so hard and just didn’t quit.”
“Things were stagnant. We never got a good flow,” E. Rupp said. “But we kept moving our feet on defense and just kept working hard.”
With all his starters on the bench, K. Rockwood’s youth movement buckled down and kept the pesky Colonels at bay over the last eight minutes. Freshman Gaby Gilbert had a great final quarter with solid defense and non-stop movement while sophomore S. Perry’s beautiful spin move plus one capped off a Windsor win.
“We had a great pep talk at halftime and it just picked us up,” said S. Rockwood after the game. “It felt really good to grab this win.”
E. Rupp led everyone with 21 points, five steals, and four rebounds.
R. Perry ended with eight points and 17 rebounds while S. Perry ended with seven points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks.
Peyton Richardson chipped in with seven points and five steals for the Jacks.
Brattleboro’s Emily Worden nailed a couple of long range three pointers and finished with seven points.
The Jacks (11-2) sit atop the SVL-B district and are scheduled to host Leland and Gray (3-5) on Saturday for a 5:30 p.m. start weather permitting.
In the junior varsity contest, Randy Rupp’s Jacks followed the hot shooting of Sydney Perry (20 points) and Amber Simonds (10 points) for a convincing 59-26 win.
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