By CHRISTOPHER LaCLAIR
Eagle Times Sports Editor
CLAREMONT, NH — In a rematch Wednesday, Dec. 27, between the Stevens Cardinals and the Fall Mountain Wildcats, the results felt very similar to the first matchup that Stevens won in a regular season matchup 50-42. The third quarter doomed the Wildcats again just as they had in their prior game. The Wildcats came out flat scoring only 9 points while Stevens pumped in 16 points, resulting in a Cardinal 47-40 victory.
Senior All-Tournament team selection Devante Thompson led the way for the Cardinals with 15 points including a nail in the coffin 3-point shot to increase the lead to 6 with a minute to play in the fourth quarter. Freshman phenom Owen Wilkinson had another strong game with 11 points including a critical 3 in the fourth to stop the Wildcat momentum.
Lucas Belisle was named tournament MVP with his strong leadership, hustle and changed the game when he was on the floor.
He finished the game with 7 points. Cullen Neathawk finished the game with 4 points but was a presence in the paint to collect an All-Tournament team selection.
“We did some great things that we can try to build on moving forward,” said Matthew Dancosse, Stevens head coach.
Girls championship
WINDSOR, VT — The same day, the Yellow Jackets faced the Stevens Cardinals in the finals renewing the friendly rivalry. Many Claremont players have played with the Windsor Comets or have trained with Windsor Head Coach Kabray Rockwood at one point in their young careers.
The Lady Cardinals only lead in the game came off a made free-throw from All-Tournament team Kiley Bundy. Sydney Perry hit two free-throws of her own as Windsor never looked back on their way to a convincing 56-31 victory to win the tournament championship.
All-Tournament team selection Sophia Rockwood had a monster stretch in the third quarter as she nailed three 3 pointers in a row and a drive through the lane for 2 for 11 of her 18 points. Windsor’s other All-Tournament team selection Perry dominated the glass with a game high 20 rebounds and muscled her way in for a game high 21 points.
Audrey Rupp was Windsor’s Swiss army knife. She did it all on the offensive and defensive side of the court. She had collected 8 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals on her way to tournament MVP.
Bundy led the way for the Cardinals with 14 points. She scored 30 points in their previous game against Hinsdale to advance to the finals. Isabella Bovell was also named to the All-Tournament team with her strong play on defense.
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