Rapid Recap: Hornet Miscues lead to 'Toppers victory

     In a hotly contested game at Ferreira Field on Tuesday, Essex fell to St. Johnsbury 5-4 after the first baseman dropped the potential third out of the 7th inning, allowing the winning run to score.  It was the biggest gut punch for a Hornets team that had to endure several of them throughout the contest.

    A Carson Finn RBI single in the top of the first gave the Hilltoppers a 1-0 lead, but Essex was able to put a pair on the board in the bottom of the inning to take the lead.  After Jackson Lyman struck out the side in the 2nd, leadoff hitter Christopher Morgan sent a drive to the centerfield wall but was thrown out trying to stretch a double into a triple.

    In the 3rd, Finn delivered again with a 2-run double to give St. J the lead back before Bryce Barber hit one just inside the left field foul pole for his first Varsity homer to even the score at 3.  The Hilltoppers were able to load the bases in the fourth before Lyman got Rex Hauser to fly out to center.

    Both starters (Lyman and Cage Thompson) started the fifth and walked the first batter they faced, ending each of their days.  Sam Bent was able to keep SJA off the board, but Essex was able to get one run off of Carson Finn in the fifth before leaving the bases loaded.  St. Johnsbury were able to tie the game off of a groundout that led the run to score while a rundown was taking place at 3rd.

    In the 7th, St. J got a runner to second with two outs before the pop fly that dropped out of the glove of the Hornet first baseman brought him home.  Essex got one man on in the bottom of the inning before Finn struck out Eklof to end the game.

    St. Johnsbury stays undefeated at 7-0 and play back-to-back games with Burlington and Rice on Friday and Saturday, respectively.  Essex falls to 3-5 and are at Colchester on Thursday before facing CVU at home on Saturday.

Rapid Recap: Essex baseball open season with home win against Burlington

     The 2025 Essex high school baseball season began on a high note on Tuesday with the Hornets defeating the Burlington Seahorses 6-4 at "Ferreira Field."

    After each team scored twice in the first inning, starters Jackson Lyman and Eamon Morency settled down and kept things even until the bottom of the fourth.  That's when the Essex's Christopher Morgan knocked in 2 runs on a triple, then scored on a single by Jacob Laroche to make it 5-2.  The Seahorses got a run back on a HBP with the bases loaded, but the Hornets would get the lead back to 3 on a Lawrence single in the 6th.

    Burlington had one last chance, loading the bases and scoring a run in the seventh on a walk, but Nico Caiano struck out Bramhill to end the game.

    Essex (1-0) next host Spaulding on Thursday while Burlington will face Vergennes.

Notes:  Lyman ended his outing going 4.2 innings, striking out 9 batters...Morency went 6 innings in the loss...Ferreira Field is my personal name for Essex's baseball diamond and not a real name.  Nor is the Bill O'Neil skating facility or the Burnett football stadium (yes, this is my Essex bias coming in here).

8 Biggest Moments from the Vermont High School winter sports season

     Another season in the books with plenty of exciting moments to look back at.  The 2024-25 winter sports season saw records broken, surprising outcomes and championship droughts finally end.  Teams from Chittenden County may have taken home most of the trophies this winter, but a few teams made the trek north to capture titles, including one who continued their record run dating back to 1989.  Individual performers looked for one last chance at glory before graduating while some fresh faces made their mark this year.  With that in mind, here are my picks for the top 8 moments in the winter sports season.

Before I begin, I'd also like to give a shoutout to all the state champions that are not on this list and other major performances I might have missed over the course of the season.  Let me know which moment not on this list stood out for you in 2024-25.  That out of the way, let's begin.

8---Hartford girls hockey go back-to-back as Barwood sets record

    On December 20th, Madison Barwood made history when she broke the program's points record.  However, the Hurricanes girls hockey team ran into some tough competition from both D1 and D2 opponents and finished the regular season at 8-9-3.  But after tying U-32 in the season finale, Hartford shut out the Raiders in the Quarterfinals, then went to Manchester and came back from a 2-0 deficit (led by Barwood and senior teammate Emma Bazin) to make a return trip to Gutterson Fieldhouse for the title game.  In the final, Barwood and Bazin scored to propel Hartford to consecutive D2 state championships.  A fitting end for an extraordinary hockey player.

7---Sharif guides Burlington to boys' basketball title against rival (and former team)

    In 2024, Abdi Sharif scored 23 points to bring Rice their 4th state title in 5 years.  In 2025, Sharif transferred to their rivals and ended a nearly decade-long title drought.  The Seahorses were a dominant force in Vermont this season, losing only once to another rival in South Burlington.  But that didn't stop the Seahorses as they scored at least 60 points in all but 2 of their remaining regular season games, including an 87-71 win at Rice to end the year.

    The playoffs saw a defensive scare from CVU and revenge vs. the Wolves to make the title game for the second year in a row.  In the title game vs. Rice, Sharif scored 29 points against the Green Knights to bring Burlington its first state title in 9 years and 22nd overall (Coach B.J. Robertson brought one of those titles home as a player in 2001). 

6---Essex wins 10th girls hockey title with new head coach

    As the 2024-25 season began at Essex, one thing stood out more than anything else:  A lot of teams made coaching changes.  One of the most noteworthy was the girls hockey team with John Maddalena departing and Jerry Gernander stepping in.  The return of Taylor Senecal to the Hornets roster and several new faces led them to a 11-8 regular season record.  But like Hartford in D2, Essex were #4 in the playoffs, meaning a trip to Leddy in the semis to face defending champs Burlington/Colchester.  Also like the Hurricanes, the Hornets rallied from an early deficit behind Senecal (2 goals) and goalie Morgan Hughart to deny the SeaLakers a repeat.

    In the championship game, Senecal became the first player in 10 years to record 4 points in a title game while sophomore Calleigh Bruyns netted the first finals hat trick in the same time span (both done by Hornet Kathleen Young) to propel Essex over BFA-St. Albans and capture the 10th state championship in program history (1 behind the Comets).  Even with Senecal departing after this year, the future looks bright for Gernander and the Hornets as they look to make more history in 2026.

5---Rice boys hockey outlasts rival SB in thrilling title game

    The Rice Green Knights boy's hockey team didn't lose a single game in 2024-25 and nearly dominated every team they faced.  Coming into the title game, Rice had only trailed in one game and won by one goal twice.  But South Burlington came out swinging and a Lucas Van Mullen goal made it 1-0 Wolves, a lead that lasted 31 seconds before Tyler Russo tied it up.  After Oliver Quong scored in the second, Van Mullen would tie things up early into the third.  But just like last year, it was Quong who scored the game-winner, this time with 1:22 remaining in the third, and the Green Knights repeated as D1 boys' hockey champions.  The Wolves played their hearts out, but Rice did enough in the end to cap off a perfect season.

4---Burlington Girls end 49-year title drought, stop #1 SJA

    The Burlington Seahorses girls' basketball program has never lost a D1 title game they were a part of.  The problem is they haven't been in the title game since 1976, so it was time to get the monkey off their back.

    After an unfortunate end in the 2024 playoffs, the Seahorses came out strong to start the 2024-25 season, losing once in their first 10 games.  Their 3 losses in state were to St. Johnsbury (twice) and Mount Mansfield, but Burlington would get revenge on both teams in the playoffs, dominating the Cougars in the semis before leaning on their two senior scorers Bree McDonald and Nylah Mitchell to knock off the Hilltoppers in the title game, ending a 49-year championship drought.  Coach Bev Robertson and his Seahorses finally swam to the top of the mountain in 2025 and caught that trophy that's been alluding them for a half-century. 

3---Randolph's Brownell wins individual bowling title

    The 2024 Vermont high school bowling state champions Randolph continued to hit all the marks in 2024-25, finishing atop the standings and bringing several bowlers to the individual tournament in Rutland.  The one Ghosts bowler who made his mark in that tournament was Evan Brownell, who was able to outlast the competition and capture the title in a thrilling contest with Fair Haven's George Stamp.  In the stepladder, Brownell defeated Conor Simonds of St. Johnsbury 172-166 to reach the final against Stamp; then knocked off the #1 bowler in the state 204-201 for Randolph's first individual winner since 2019.  It was a special moment for Brownell and the Ghosts, but then...

2---Fair Haven bowling's eventful tournament run

    ...Stamp and the Slaters got their moment to shine in the 2025 Vermont high school bowling state championship at SpareTime.  I won't go too far as I do have a Recap on the event in here, but for those that haven't checked it out yet, Fair Haven swept their way to the semifinals over #7 South Burlington, then after watching Essex come back from 3-0 down against Burlington in another QF, mustered their own 3-1 comeback against the Hornets to make the title match against Randolph.  After an even first 4 games in the final, the Slaters took control in games 5 and 6 and won their second state championship in 4 years.

1.5---VPA PSA from student-athletes

    Wanted to add this in before I reveal #1 because it is a Must-Watch for all involved in Vermont high school athletics (students, coaches, parents, etc).

But my pick for the #1 moment in Vermont High School winter sports---West Rutland girls and Peyton Guay

    While the 2024-25 winter sports season had many incredible team moments and single-game performances, no one individual player had a better season than West Rutland's Peyton Guay.  Every night, we'd hear about another dominant performance by her and the Golden Horde girls basketball team.  But on February 8th at home vs. Hazen, Guay officially took her place in Vermont high school basketball history, becoming the state's all-time leading scorer in girls basketball, surpassing former Oxbow star and current SJA head coach Jade Huntington for the mark.

    After breaking the scoring record, all eyes in West Rutland were on a 4th straight division 4 state title and the Golden Horde would deliver.  WR would shine vs. Twinfield/Cabot, Arlington and Long Trail to finish Guay's run at the school at 2,279 points, but most importantly, 4 state championships.  It's been a blast watching Peyton shine through the years and officially leave a lasting impact on the sport here in Vermont.  Nothing but the best on the journey after basketball!

    So those are my picks but let me know what your favorite moments were during the season in the comments or online.  Thanks to all of you for reading this and, as always, to all those who have covered Vermont high school athletics.  I'll catch all of you once the spring sports season begins.

Rapid Recap: Fair Haven comes back, denies Randolph's repeat bid.

 

    The 2025 Vermont high school bowling state championship is heading back to Rutland County, but it didn't come without a fight.

    Fair Haven needed to come back from 3-1 down in the semifinals against Essex, then was even against top seed Randolph in the championship match before destroying the pins and knocking off the defending champions to win their second state title in four years and 4th overall (a state record in the sport).

    After the Slaters dominated South Burlington/Colchester in the quarterfinals, they met a Hornets team that came back from 0-3 down against Burlington to make the semis.  Essex took game 1 by a single pin, then won games 2 and 4 comfortably.  But Fair Haven put together Baker scores of 208, 211 and 208 and the Hornets started getting tired, leading to the Slaters comeback and advancing to the finals.

    Randolph, the top team in Vermont high school bowling in 2025 after winning the championship in 2024, also swept their QF match against White River Valley.  Then, after losing the first two games against #4 St. Johnsbury (who defeated Windsor in 5), controlled the pace and advanced to the finals.  In Game 4, the Ghosts tied the state record for a Baker game when they shot a 279.

    In the Final, Randolph took game 1 172-150; Fair Haven took the next two before the Ghosts responded in Game 4.  Then the Slaters got scores of 217 and 233 in games 5 and 6, respectively, to take down #1 and win the title.  

    Notes:  South Burlington/Colchester and White River Valley made the quarterfinals after defeating Craftsbury and Brattleboro, respectively, in the first round this AM...2025 marked the third straight year that SpareTime hosted the event...The 2025 bowling season concludes on March 8 with the twin state classic at Maple Lanes in Claremont, NH.

2025 Vermont High School Bowling State Championships preview

     After 9 weeks of Vermont high school bowling matches, we have reached the tournament weeks in the 2025 season.  Here's a look at the 10 teams vying for a state championship and how some individual performers did in 2024-25.

1---Randolph

    The defending state champions brought back several key players from their 2024 team and are the favorites to go back-to-back in 2025.  Randolph have won 87% of their Baker matches this year and have 8 individual bowlers who finished the regular season in the top 36 individually, led by Avery Stockwell who finished 2nd overall.  The last Ghosts bowler to win the individual title was actually Avery's brother, Howard, in 2019.

2---Fair Haven

    The 2022 state champions have two of the top 3 bowlers in the state (#1 George Stamp and #3 Emma Eckler) as they look for their second individual champion in the last 3 years (Josh Kennedy in 2023).  The Slaters are also one of three teams (RAND, BUR) to have won 20 of their Baker matches this year, which is pivotal in the best-of-7 state tournament.

3---Essex

    After heartbreaking finishes in the 2023 and 2024 state championships, the Hornets are back as North division champions.  2 bowlers finished in the top 5 individually (#4 Jayden Blake and #5 Jordan Tucker), but there have been some questions surrounding their performance in the Baker matches.  Can they figure it out in states, or will it be another tough end to another amazing season?

4---Saint Johnsbury

    In year 2 as a program, the Hilltoppers have seen similar success from 2024.  Their one major blemish this year was a 4-point effort at SpareTime at the beginning of February.  What will the return trip to the lanes in Colchester look like on the first?

5---Windsor

    For the first time in program history, Steve Bly is not coaching the Yellowjacket bowlers.  Windsor have had some big moments in February, winning 2 of the 3 Baker matches in the regular season, including the league championship last week.  Can that momentum help them to a run in the states?

6---Burlington

    The Seahorses, led by Noah Jenkins (#8 individual bowler), are hoping to use some home-lane advantage to make a deep run in the 2025 state championship.  They'll have the same seed as SB in 2024, who made it to the finals.

7---South Burlington/Colchester

    We have another first in Vermont high school bowling.  While the SB Strikers have found success for years, including a finals appearance in 2024, the team is now a co-op with Colchester for 2025.  With Owen McGrath and Griff Preska leading the charge, will they be a dark horse again in the state tournament?

8---Brattleboro

    The Bears are another team dealing with major changes:  Coach Will Bassett left the program, and 2024 individual champion Thomas Bell graduated.  Brattleboro does have a top ten bowler in Dakota St. Louis in what has been a rebuilding season overall.

9---White River Valley

    The Wildcats continue to see positive strides in their bowlers and are hoping to pull off an 8-9 upset in the state tournament.  One bowler finished in the top 15 (freshman Andrew Bradley) while the team won 43% of their baker matches.

10---Craftsbury

    In year 3 for the program, the Chargers have had some rough spots but have also seen good performances from their bowlers.  The team took 3rd place in the league championship last week, giving them some momentum going into the state tournament.

Important Dates and notes:

Saturday:  Vermont High School Bowling individual championship (@ Rutland Bowlerama)

    Top 32 Bowlers make the tournament

    16 best performers advance to match play (2 rounds)

    Final 4 remaining compete in a stepladder format (4 vs. 3; winner faces 2; winner of that faces 1)

    Fun fact:  The last team to sweep the individual and team state titles were Windsor in 2015-16

March 1:  Vermont High School Bowling State Championship (@ Sparetime in Colchester)

    All matches are best-of-7

    First Round starts at 9AM

    QFs start around 10AM

    Awards ceremony to follow

    SFs around 12:30PM

    Championship match to follow the semis

Division 1 Vermont High School Boys' Basketball Scenarios

     We are in the final week of the 2024-25 Vermont high school boys' basketball season and there are still several moves that could happen in the last few days.  While some teams only have 2 games left, others have makeup games from the recent storms that dumped snow over the state the last few weeks.  Here are some of the key scenarios for each of the top 8 teams in D1

1---Burlington (17-1) (vs. RUT, @ RICE)

    The Seahorses' mission is simple:  Win tonight against Rutland and they are the top seed in D1.  Lose and hope the Knights lose one of their next 2 games.  Otherwise, Saturday's game at Bernie Cieplicki Court could determine the #1 seed come playoff time. 

2---Rice (14-3) (vs. COL, @ SJA, vs. BUR)

    A win tonight vs. the Lakers will be head coach Paul Pecor's 400th with the Green Knights.  But that's just the first of a 3-game in 5-day span for Rice, who head to the NEK on Thursday looking to clinch at least the #2 seed against St. J.

3---St. Johnsbury (12-5) (vs. EHS, vs. RICE, @ CVU)

    It's a Chittenden County finish for the Hilltoppers with the Hornets and Green Knights heading north while finishing the season in Hinesburg against CVU.  Taking 2 out of 3 should keep them in the top 4, but there are some teams lurking should they lose one more.

4---Rutland (13-5) (@ BUR, @ MMU)

    Rutland has everything to gain and lose this week.  If they can upset Burlington, it should give them a top 4 seed in the playoffs.  Losing 1 or both of their last 2 games will likely see them heading back up north in a QF game. 

5---South Burlington (12-6) (vs. CVU, vs. COL)

    If the Seahorses can take care of Rutland, The Wolves are in the right spot to secure a top 4 seed.  Only problem is they have to face a Redhawks team that knocked them off one month ago.  Home court tonight could be the difference between one or two playoff games at Burleigh court next week.

6---Mount Mansfield (9-8) (vs. BFA, @ COL, vs. RUT)

    After their game at Colchester was postponed, the Cougars face BFA-St. Albans tonight looking for win #10 on the season.  It would likely clinch the six seed in the playoffs and avoid Burlington and Rice until the semis.

7---Champlain Valley (8-10) (@ SB, vs. SJA)

    In Coach Ernie Duncan's first season, the Redhawks have a chance to finish at .500.  CVU could also finish outside the top 8 if other results go against them this week.

8---Burr and Burton (9-9) (@ MAU, @ BRAT)

    Unlike Rutland, who end their season with 2 games up north, the Bulldogs will stay close to home with matchups at Mount Anthony and Brattleboro.  Likely locked into a top 8 spot, 2 wins give them a chance at #6 in the playoffs.

My trip to Foxborough and the MIAA HS Football championships

     When I took the week of my birthday off, my initial hope was to see a New England Patriots game, just like I did when I turned 8 years old in 1996.  Unfortunately, the Pats were on a bye this week and I had to hope for something different to come into play.

    Then, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association announced that their "Super Bowl" football games would take place that same week and, after thinking long and hard about it, I took the chance and made it out to be part of this special event.  Did I see every game?  Well, between the weather and number of games played each day, not even close.  But it didn't stop me from having the experience of a lifetime at Foxborough.

    The trip down was pretty simple:  Making it to my hotel and being able to check in early so I can enjoy the calm before the storm.  After lunch with my dad (who brought me down from home), I relaxed for the night and got ready for the week.

    On day 1, it was all about enjoying the Gillette experience.  My first trip was to the Patriots Hall of Fame, spending time looking at the exhibits and talking with the son of the great Gil Santos.  Between Gil, George Commo and Sean McDonough, they were the first voices I remember hearing as a child and made me want to be a sports commentator so meeting Mr. Santos sent me through a case of emotions.  Then getting to see the footballs, rings, legendary jerseys and those Super Bowl trophies was a moment I'll never forget.  I didn't take any photos at the Hall, but that's because while they say a picture is worth a thousand words, I can promise you this is something that photos won't do justice.  You have to actually go there to see it.  After getting lunch and resting in my hotel a bit longer, I went to the lighthouse and was able to take photos from the top of it while also getting my picture taken from the point.

    Then the first game of the MIAA state championships began with Uxbridge and Mashpee.  The Spartans and Falcons were evenly matched, but with the score 28-20 in the fourth, Mashpee kicked the ball deep and Uxbridge scored on the very next play to take the momentum away and win the D7 title.  I tried staying for the D6 title game between Hudson and Fairhaven, but the rain started falling and I had to call it a night.  The Hawks knocked off the Blue Devils 21-14 in that game.

    On day 2, I took it easy early, then back to Gillette for the D4 title game between Scituate and Duxbury.  The Sailors won the coin toss, elected to receive, scored their first TD in about 3 minutes and took the momentum with it en route to a 29-13 win.  I made it through the first quarter of the D1 final between Xaverian and Needham, but the cold did in fact bother me and I checked out early again and watched the last 2 games in my room.  The Hawks won 14-7 while Catholic Memorial took the D2 title over King Philip.

    Day 3 was the coldest of the week.  With the wind picking up, the wind chill was in the teens, so I was hoping to get through at least 1 game and that's exactly what I did.  After heading to the Patriot pro shop and grabbing some new gloves (hoping the extra layers would work), I took in the D8 title game as Randolph (MA) faced West Boylston.  The Lions (who actually have the Detroit logo) got off to an early lead, but the Blue Devils came back.  Randolph turned a 22-3 deficit into a one-possession game late, but a miscue on an onside kick saw WBHS run out the clock and win the title.  After that, I got some food at the concessions, but I was already feeling the effects of the weather and ended my trip to the stadium early.

    In the end, I only got to see 3 games in full, but I still got enough out of being at Gillette Stadium and seeing the field up close (photos coming on my social accounts), going to the Patriots HOF and seeing all the exhibits (including one on New England football for my VT friends), and being on top of the lighthouse at the stadium.  So, it really doesn't matter how many games I saw or how cold it was each day (though it will come into play next time I try something like this); all that matters is being there and having a trip that I will never forget.