Oxbow's Shirley Hayward draws a charge from Montpelier's Maggie Barbero-Menzel while pressing in the first quarter of their game in Bradford, Vt., on January 30, 2017. Oxbow won, 47-27. (Valley News - Geoff Hansen) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.
Oxbow's Shirley Hayward draws a charge from Montpelier's Maggie Barbero-Menzel while pressing in the first quarter of their game in Bradford, Vt., on January 30, 2017. Oxbow won, 47-27. (Valley News - Geoff Hansen) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Credit: Valley News photographs — Geoff Hansen

Bradford, Vt. — The Oxbow High girls basketball team enjoyed a stop-and-go effort in Monday night’s win over Montpelier at Mona Garone Gym. The Olympians’ defense brought the stop, which made the offense go.

The O’s used a 19-point third quarter to put away the Solons in an eventual 47-27 victory. Kayleigh Trojanowski and Mariah Shumway both contributed six points in the stanza to help Oxbow (5-6) sweep the season series from Montpelier. In coach Barry Emerson’s mind, however, the defense had as much responsibility for the victory.

“We came out in full-man defense in the third,” Emerson said. “We played (man) in the first half, but we came out with a lot more intensity after the half. We got some steals, and that was the momentum difference.”

Sara Walker scored nine of Oxbow’s 11 first-quarter points and finished with a game- and season-high 20.

Walker also “did a nice job on the boards tonight, had a nice night in general,” Emerson said.

The Oxbow coach also credited Alex Giesing’s defensive skills as a key element in the decision. “She matches up against the toughest opponent on the other team,” Emerson said. “She’s quick. She makes people work.”

Trojanowski and Shumway both finished with eight points for Oxbow, which gets a visit from U-32 on Wednesday.

Sharon 49South Royalton 27

Sharon — The Phoenix (2-7) ended a five-game losing streak and reversed an earlier loss to the Royals (5-6).

Grace Dorman delivered a season-best 19 points for Sharon, which pulled away thanks to a 21-7 third-quarter surge. Jocelyn Johnson finished with 13 points, and Mallory Lloyd netted 11 before leaving the third stanza with an injury.

“Kudos to their team and their coaching staff,” South Royalton coach Dave Davis said. “I know they’ve had a rough season, but they came out to play.”

Sharon visits Twinfield on Wednesday.

Grace Pease produced 10 points and Kylie Hebard followed with a season-high eight for the Royals, who entertain Rivendell on Friday.

Fair Haven 31, Hartford 26

Fair Haven, Vt. — Foul trouble finally did in Hartford’s efforts at a Marble Valley League win on the road.

The Hurricanes (5-4) led through the game’s first two periods before the Slaters gradually took control.

Megan Bushway and Natasha Lovell both had eight-point nights for Hartford, which hosts Brattleboro on Wednesday.

Monadnock 48, Stevens 32

Claremont — Freshman Alexis Aiken broke out for 17 points, but it wasn’t enough to push the Cardinals (4-8) past one of the top teams in NHIAA Division III at Carr Gymasium.

Stevens trailed by just a 9-8 score after one quarter, with Aiken providing all of the offense. Sydney Miller contributed six points for Stevens, which hosts Fall Mountain in the first half of a girls-boys varsity doubleheader on Wednesday.

Derryfield 48Mount Royal 37

Manchester — The Knights (4-6) tried to slow the Cougars’ top scorer, Caroline Clark, only to have the hosts respond with a complete team effort.

Four different Cougars answered Mount Royal’s challenge by scoring at least eight points. The combination undid an otherwise strong 28-point second half for the visitors.

“We did not convert free throws, not did we convert shots,” MRA coach Derek Tremblay said. “They spread the scoring around really well.”

Olivia Strong led Derryfield with 11 points. Clark and Adrienne Brummett added 10 apiece.

Jacinta Hogan had her best game of the season for Mount Royal, posting a personal-best 12 points to go with 10 from Alexis Matte. Marylin LaRose added six for the Knights, who host Nute tonight.

Leland & Gray 61Woodstock 26

Townshend, Vt. — The Wasps (3-7) took more knocks in a season full of them in a loss to the competitive Rebels.

Madison Schultz was slowed by a knee injury, while Mariah Luce jammed a hand while pursuing a loose ball. Woodstock coach Timmy MacDonnell was hopeful both players would be OK for later in the week.

“Everyone deals with injuries; you can’t necessarly control them,” MacDonnell said. “You never want to see anyone get hurt.”

Loretta Blakeney topped Woodstock’s scoresheet with nine points. The Wasps meet Long Trail on Wednesday.

Boys Basketball

Newport 55, Sunapee 47

Sunapee — The Tigers (3-7 league, 4-9 overall) used a 15-0 run in the second quarter to claim their second win in a row, beating the host Lakers (2-8, 2-11).

John Thibault and Noah Wood produced 17-point games to lead Newport’s charge. Wood accounted for two of the Tigers’ three 3-pointers, with Thibault providing the other.

“It’s the same old thing we’ve had all year: a lack of composure,” Sunapee coach Tim Puchtler lamented. “Teams begin to pressue, and we go away from the things we’ve taught and the things that work well.”

Sunapee did get 16 points from senior Hank Vincent, who matched his season high, along with a season-best 14 points from senior Isaiah Gorman.

Sunapee entertains Derryfield on Wednesday. Newport goes to Franklin on Friday.