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.