White River Junction
The Hurricanes have now won three in a row after an 0-2 start on the season and started quick against the Wasps, taking a 17-9 lead after the first quarter. Hartford built a sizeable lead deep into the fourth quarter before Woodstock sharpshooter Jack Arthur drained three 3-pointers in the final minute, including a half-court bomb at the buzzer, to bring the Wasps back within seven.
Arthur finished with 16 points to lead the Wasps. Brendon Schwartz added 14 points for Woodstock.
Gavin Farnsworth had 17 points to lead Hartford. Austin Gaudette added 13, and Keith Illingworth had eight. Coach Steve Landon praised the defensive effort of Illingworth in marking Woodstock forward Caleb Webb, holding the Wasps’ senior to three points.
“Caleb is probably one of the best big men we’re going to see, and Keith did a nice job on him,” Landon said. “You have to hand it to Woodstock; they’re young, but (coach) Joel (Carey) is doing a good job over there. They play hard and have a lot of kids who are so successful in other sports.”
After a pair of narrow losses to open the season, the Canes now have a trio of wins against quality opponents to set up what Landon hopes is a strong upcoming run.
“It feels good. I can’t remember the last time we beat (Woodstock). We just made some shots at the end and did a good job of eliminating their strengths. We’re happy with how 2016 went and already looking forward to 2017. Our group is going to come together, I think,” Landon said.
The Canes visit U-32 on Tuesday. Woodstock (3-3) visits Middlebury on Thursday.
Manchester
Lebanon (5-0 overall, 2-0 NHIAA) was led by Graham Chickering with 16 points, including three of the Raiders’ eight 3-pointers. Ryan Milliken added 14 points and Chris Nulty had 13. The Raiders led, 34-17, at halftime.
Chickering was named tournament MVP for leading the Raiders in the three-game sweep. “He rebounds, has assists, he does everything. He’s a great player and a great kid, too,” Lebanon coach Kieth Matte said.
Up next for the unbeaten Raiders is a visit to Con-Val on Friday.
Hanover
Stevens led, 27-21, at halftime and then held on after the break despite a strong effort by Mascoma (1-4 overall, 1-2 NHIAA). Nicholas O’Brien led the Cardinals with 17 points, Richard Bell had nine points and Noah Spaulding chipped in eight.
Alex Schwarz had 13 points for the Royals. Schwarz and Spaulding were both named to the all-tournament team.
Stevens visits Mascenic on Tuesday, and Mascoma visits Conant on Friday.
Wells River, Vt.
Lincoln Illsley (26 points) and Matt Towle (25 points) paired to lead Oxbow. Skyler Ladd was a spark plug off the bench in the second half for the Olympians, according to coach Steve Carson, and finished with seven points.
Oxbow trailed, 33-27, at halftime but took control after the break, outscoring the Bucks, 45-26. “We were pressing the whole night, and we finally got to them,” Carson said.
The Olympians (3-2) visit Lyndon on Wednesday.
Hardwick, Vt.
“They play an aggressive 1-2-2 full court press and we knew it and practiced for it, but the mark of a good team is they can still execute it in the game,” SoRo coach Pete Howe said. “Tonight was a good chance for us to play a really good team, and it’s a chance to see what it takes to get there. Hazen is very impressive. Our boys didn’t quit.”
Nicholas Howe had 20 points to lead the Royals (3-1), who play at Whitcomb on Thursday.
Thetford
Nursing a 41-40 lead in the final 20 seconds, Hartford’s Megan Bushway drained a pair of free throws to put visitors up by three. Corey Lieberman then blocked a Thetford shot attempt on the ensuing possession to help the Canes secure the win.
Kyra Wood had 12 points to lead Hartford (2-1). Bushway and Lyndsie Rice each had eight points. Hartford led 18-5 after the first quarter and 22-5 at one point in the second before Thetford answered with 10 straight to close to within seven points at halftime. The Panthers then outscored the Canes, 17-5, in the third quarter to lead 32-29 through three.
Izzy Wilmott had three 3-pointers and finished with 11 points for Thetford (3-2). Danielle Robinson also had 11, and Emily Emerson had 10 points. The Panthers struggled from the field, making just 16 of 66 shots.
“We didn’t shoot very well, and dug ourselves a big hole. But we came back, fought back really well. The girls worked hard,” Panthers coach Eric Ward said.
Thetford plays at Montpelier on Wednesday, and Hartford visits MSJ on Friday.
Woodsville
Olivia Farr also had a big night for Woodsville, grabbing 14 rebounds as the hosts used big first and fourth quarters to beat the Chargers. Molly Clough checked in with 11 points and Lily Kinder added 10 to Woodsville’s scoresheet. Twins Lynn Brown (11 points) and Lizzy Brown (10) led Craftsbury.
Woodsville gets back to league play with a visit to Rivendell on Tuesday night.
Woodstock
“We played solid D throughout the entire game,” Woodstock coach Timmy MacDonnell said. “You give up 23 points and you’ll provide yourself an opportunity to win the game. It was a defensive struggle, for sure, but we’re excited to beat a very good Oxbow team.”
Seniors Alex Giesing, Kayleigh Trojanowski and Sara Walker each scored six points for the O’s.
“We did not shoot well from the field,” Oxbow coach Barry Emerson said. “And (the Wasps) did what they had to do. They set some nice screens, and their kids played well.”
Oxbow hosts Lyndon on Friday. The Wasps entertain Bellows Falls on Tuesday.
Epping, n.h.
Mary Grzanna found her touch from the outside, draining a trio of 3-pointers on her way to 11 points. Faith Larpenter had 12 points, and Sydney Clark had eight. Sunapee led, 32-12, at halftime.
The Lakers visit Derryfield on Wednesday.
Cabot, Vt.
Whitchester rode its defense in the second half to erase a 17-9 halftime deficit and hold a 25-24 lead with 6 seconds left. Coach Dennis Wood called for a long inbounds pass from under his own basket, which resulted in the turnover that led to Cabot’s winning points.
“We worked so hard to come back,” Wood said. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have done that.”
Whitchester kept a tight rein on Alisha Celley, Cabot’s career 1,000-point scorer, holding her to eight points to help with the comeback effort. Hayley Mears led the Mountaineers with 10 points, and Brianna Hillier added six. Kiley Currier topped Cabot with 13 points.
Whitchester hosts Craftsbury in Bethel on Wednesday.
Manchester
Hanover (4-3) claimed wins over Bow, Trinity and Concord to reach the finals, which the Bulldogs claimed with a goal in each period on Friday night. Marauder goaltender Luke Ratliff recorded 34 saves and made the all-tournament team with defenseman Pat Logan.
“We did really well; overall, the tourney was a huge success for us,” Dodds said. “Beating Bow, Trinity and Concord did a lot for our confidence.”
Hanover returns to NHIAA Division I play at Nashua North on Wednesday.
Pittsford, n.y.
Jourdain Bell had 23 points and Nate Cook poured in a career-high 17 for Colby-Sawyer. Cook’s night included 4-for-6 shooting from 3-point range.
The Chargers resume North Atlantic Conference play at Johnson State on Tuesday.