By Devon Centola
It’s becoming tradition: Thetford and Windsor meeting on the girls basketball floor with something on the line. They’ve collided in the past two VPA Division III finals, splitting the spoils, and they’ll open their respective seasons with a reunion in Windsor on Tuesday.
There’s another Upper Valley school, however, that may be set to spoil the party.
Oxbow’s athletic fortunes have been carried by softball in recent seasons, but soccer showed championship intent this past fall. Basketball, with many of the same athletes, could give TA and Windsor some competition as the D-III season progresses.
Elsewhere, Hanover and Lebanon should again be at the forefront of NHIAA D-II, with Stevens moving up from D-III to join them. White River Valley hits the hardwood for the first time with athletes from three former schools uniting behind a familiar face who returns to coaching after a decade’s absence. Sharon returns to varsity play after a season at the JV ranks.
A look at the teams:
HANOVER
Coach: Dan O’Rourke (18).
Last Year: 16-8, lost in semifinals to eventual champion Hollis Brookline.
League: NHIAA Division II.
Returnees: Seniors — Diana Schwarz (G), Lois Schwarz (G), Julia Golder (C). Juniors — Willa Parkins (C), Bella Bardales (F), Maddie McCorkle (G), Johari Ajwang (F), Anna Kirkpatrick (F). Sophomores — Charlotte Johnson (G).
Newcomers: Freshman — Melissa Whitmore (G)
Analysis: “This year’s team is veteran-laden with high expectations and excellent team chemistry,” O’Rourke said. “They understand the challenges that lie ahead and have been working hard in practice to be prepared. Our primary goal remains unchanged: to continue to improve throughout the season and peak at playoff time.”
HARTFORD
Coach: Heidi Bushway (1).
Last Year: 11-11, lost in quarterfinals to Fair Haven.
Leagues: VPA Division II, Marble Valley League.
Returnees: Seniors — Isabella Lukowitz (G), Bianca Severance (F). Juniors — Kennedy Mullen (G), Carolyn North (G). Sophomore — Jasmine Jenkins (G).
Newcomers: Junior — Makenna Druge (G). Sophomores — Davan Murphy (G), Bailey Cameron (G). Freshmen — Beth Dobrich (F), Madison Whitington (G).
Analysis: “First, I want to give credit to last year’s team as they made it to the quarterfinals, which no Hartford girls (basketball) team has done in a while,” Bushway said. “This year, it will be a great opportunity for us to continue to grow every day. It will be about bringing everything we have, so we can be the best we can be. We have to grow the culture of wanting to think that way and be that way.”
LEBANON
Coach: Tim Kehoe (28).
Last Year: 19-4, lost in quarterfinals to Hanover.
League: NHIAA Division II.
Returnees: Seniors — Anna Wolke (G), Izzy Peress (F). Juniors — Caroline Borger (C), Carrie Laramie (F), Madison Finnell (F), Rebecca Wright (F), Megan Gradijan (G), Izzy Fabry (G). Sophomore — Sally Rainey (F).
Newcomers: Freshmen — Catherine Cole (G), Molly Smith (G), Ella Longacre (F), Emily Wright (C).
Analysis: “We have a good mix of older and younger kids that work hard,” Kehoe said. “We have an extremely challenging schedule, but our goals are to be able to make a deep run in the tournament by the end of the year. With a great deal of our team back from last year, we can continue to expand on our offensive and defensive schemes.”
MASCOMA
Coach: Walt Hammond (2).
Last Year: 6-14, missed playoffs by percentage points.
League: NHIAA Division III.
Returnees: Seniors — Bella Kondi (F), Lizz Pelton (C), Madie Peavey (F). Juniors — Michaela Dowd (G), Nicole Williams (G), Jordan Henry (F).
Newcomers: Sophomores — Emily Moulton (G), Ella Shinnlinger (C), Lilly Bennett (G). Freshman — Briana Withington.
Analysis: “After just missing a spot in the playoffs, we are looking to make it happen this season,” Hammond said. “We Have a nice mix of veteran and young players that show up every day ready to play hard and are dedicated to making the basketball program better.”
MID VERMONT CHRISTIAN
Coach: Chris Goodwin (3).
Last Year: 18-3, lost in first round to Blue Mountain.
League: VPA Division IV.
Returnees: Sophomores — Sydney Goodwin (G/F), Nyah Jenks (G). Freshmen — Rachel Horner-Richardson (G), Hayley Goodwin (G), Emma Patel (G).
Newcomers: Freshman — Kyla McCoy (F). Eighth Grade — Sky Whitcomb (G).
Analysis: “We will be missing our 6-foot top scorer and rebounder from last year, Rachel Seale, who we lost to graduation, so our overall defense will need to improve for this season,” Chris Goodwin said. “We also lost two part-time starters from last year’s squad due to an offseason injury and transfer. We should still be able to put up some points, but the success of our season will come down to our depth, staying out of foul trouble and our ability to guard and limiting turnovers. If our defense can keep teams around 40-45 points, we should be in every game. Our starters will be getting a lot of minutes, so conditioning will be paramount as well.”
MOUNT ROYAL
Coach: Derek Tremblay (3).
Last Year: 16-7, lost to Hinsdale in quarterfinals.
League: NHIAA Division IV.
Returnees: Seniors — Erin Diebold (F), Hannah Fraioli (G), Jacinta Hogan (G/F), Alexis Matte (G/F). Juniors — Amy Alterisio (G), Sophie LaRose (F). Sophomores — Rosie Treece (G/F), Bridget Wallace (G), Anna Yost (G/F), Sarah Yost (F).
Newcomers: None.
Analysis: “Our main goal is to just get better every day,” Tremblay said. “We want to bring a level of focus, energy, effort and execution to practices and games. We are leaving last year where it is, knowing that we have to improve in every facet of the game.”
NEWPORT
Coach: Ross Dole (3).
Last Year: 11-11, lost in first round to Conant.
League: NHIAA Division III.
Returnees: Seniors — Emily Wellman (F), Libby Tremblay (C), Selena Coronis (G), Megan Howard (F). Juniors — Alexis Quimby (G), Alyssa Burr (G). Sophomores — Morgan Roberts (G), Maddie Miller (G), Greysan Beaulieu (F).
Newcomers: Sophomores — Erin Seagrove (G), Jenna Maheu (F), Eliza Bates (F). Freshmen — Riely Skarin (F).
Analysis: “I’m very optimistic on our upcoming season,” Dole said. “We’re a young team, but we’re building upon on what we did last year. We did lose three seniors, and it will definitely take some time, but I’m very optimistic that we will be a pretty strong competitor team by the end of the season.”
OXBOW
Coach: Barry Emerson (6).
Last Year: 8-14, lost in quarterfinals to eventual champion Windsor.
Leagues: VPA Division III, Capital League.
Returnees: Seniors — Kaysea Neil (G), Madie Fornwalt (F), Mason Tomlinson (G), Rilee Wadsworth (G), Mariah Shumway (G). Juniors — Tiffany Longmoore (G), Lauren Wright (F), Melanie Neil (G). Sophomore — Rachel Spear (G).
Newcomers: Sophomores — Arianna Bolles (F), Emma DeGoosh (G), Chloe McIntire (F). Freshman — Emma Parkin (G).
Analysis: “This is a great group of players; they will learn and grow together throughout the season,” Emerson said. “We have lost the battle in the quarterfinals for the last couple of seasons, and this team is ready to take it to the next level. The team plays tough competition in the Capital League all season to get prepared, and they plan to make the most of it.”
RIVENDELL
Coach: Dennis Fitzgerald (1).
Last Year: 16-5, lost in first round to Oxbow.
Leagues: VPA Division III; Central Vermont League.
Returnees: Seniors — Leah Rutherford (G), Jenna Gilbert (G/F), Casey Ghio (C/F), Emily Hebb (C), Shaunna Simmons (C/F). Juniors — Sienna Carter (G/F), Mikayla Stever (G). Sophomores — Cora Day (G), Adele Tilden (G/F)
Newcomers: Freshmen — Alex McFate (G/F), Kylie Taylor (G), Savannah Gray (G/F).
Analysis: “We will be very fast and strong in the paint,” said Fitzgerald, who takes over for retired veteran coach Hank Tenney. “This will, in many ways, be a transition year. Although there are many returning players and some good freshmen coming up, adjusting to a new coach and system takes some time. The seniors will provide a strong nucleus and leadership. There is a lot of experience here, which will make the transition easier. We are looking forward to an adjustment period, but eventually we will be very strong, fast and competitive.”
SHARON
Coach: Gregg Nalette (3).
Last Year: 6-8 at junior varsity level. No varsity team in 2017-18.
Leagues: VPA Division IV, Central Vermont League.
Returnees: Senior — Tommi Hoyt. Junior — Emma Foster.
Newcomers: Senior — Makenzi Edwards (F; transfer from Chelsea). Junior — Olivia Stanford (F; transfer from Chelsea). Sophomores — Lydia Eastman (G; transfer from Chelsea), Brenna Hamlin (G; transfer from Chelsea), Molly Kinnarney (F), Tia Kendall (F). Freshmen — Katori Foster (G), Leah Foster (G/F).
Analysis: “We don’t have much varsity experience, but we have a good group of kids looking to improve upon their skills,” Nalette said. “We are going to compete and work hard to be the best team we can be by season’s end.”
STEVENS
Coach: Ivy Condon (5)
Last Year: 8-14, lost in first to Gilford in NHIAA Division III tournament.
League: NHIAA Division II.
Returnees: Seniors — Carrie Faro (C/F), Jenna Pond (G). Juniors — Sydney Miller (G), Ellee Grenier (G/F).
Newcomers: Junior — Nicole Salls (G). Sophomores — Abigail Faro (G), Julia Tursky (G), Aunnah Shepard (F/C). Freshmen — Zahna Rice (F), Molly Derosier (G), Jenna Bonneau (F).
Analysis: “Moving to D-II, the pace will be different, as we will be playing tougher teams,” Condon said. “It’s important we stay together as a team this year and take each game play by play. A quote we will follow this year (from Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski); ‘Are we going to let it beat us, or will we use it to make us better?’ ”
SUNAPEE
Coach: Stephanie Larpenter (2)
Last Year: 10-11, lost to Woodsville in first round of state tournament.
League: NHIAA Division IV.
Returnees: Seniors — Elizabeth Bennett (F), Abby Rowell (F). Sophomores — Abby Pollari (G/F), Fiona Nolan (G), Cari Peirce (G), Miah Hamm (C), Anah Durkee (G), Kelsey Couitt (G/F).
Newcomers: Seniors — Marybeth Groton (G/F), Louise Groton (G). Freshman — Vanessa Pollari (C).
Analysis: “With having more experience under our belt, we look to have a very successful year,” said Larpenter, who has added her younger sister, Faith, as an assistant coach this winter. “We have some great numbers back from last year as well as some talented additions to our group. The team is very hardworking and eager to going.”
THETFORD
Coach: Eric Ward (11).
Last Year: 17-7, lost in the state final to Windsor.
Leagues: VPA Division III, Capital League.
Returnees: Seniors — Lily Brown (G), Abby Berard (G). Juniors — Grace Davis (F/G), Jenna Davidson (G), Lily MacVeagh (F), Ellen Veracka (G). Sophomores — Emi Vaughan (G).
Newcomers: Seniors — Kiana Johnson (G; transfer from Chelsea). Juniors — Casey MacVeagh (F). Sophomores — Namya Benjamin (F/G), Emma Colby (F/G; transfer from Chelsea), Kelsey Smith (F/G).
Analysis: “We are a little younger team this year, due to the fact that we lost four members of our program to graduation,” Ward said. “With that in mind, we are very athletic and love to play the game of basketball. We always set our goals of attaining a top-four seed, to win the Capital League and reach the Aud for the eighth consecutive year. I have a group of girls who are excited about the prospects of what this year could bring. They are working extremely hard to hopefully reach some or all of our goals.”
WHITE RIVER VALLEY
Coach: Tim Perreault (1); coached at Whitcomb 1996-2007.
Last Year: First-year program. South Royalton went 2-19, Whitcomb-Rochester went 10-10, Chelsea went 10-11 last winter; all lost in D-IV first round.
Leagues: VPA Division III, Central Vermont League.
Returnees (with last year’s school): Senior — Laurel Marshia (F, Chelsea). Juniors — Sylvie Coltey (G, Whitcomb-Rochester), Emily Hemond (F, South Royalton), Macie Carbino (C, South Royalton). Sophomores— Lilly Hudson (G, South Royalton), Hannah White (G, South Royalton), Toni Turner (F, Whitcomb-Rochester), Fiona Vaillancourt (F, Whitcomb-Rochester).
Newcomers: Freshmen — Sarah Howe, Sophie Howe.
Analysis: “For a varsity group, we are very young in age, but a lot of our girls play AAU and have experience,” Perreault said. “We need more varsity experience together as a group. We will be a team that will get better as the year goes along, because we will gain that needed experience that comes with court time. It’s truly a great group of girls who love basketball.”
WINDSOR
Coach: Bruce Mackay (13).
Last Year: 18-6, won state championship over Thetford.
Leagues: VPA Division III, Marble Valley League.
Returnees: Senior — Brooke McKeen (F). Juniors — Olivia Rockwood (G), Angelina Bigwood (G). Sophomores — Adriahna Prior (F), Alyssa Slocum (G), Ashley Grela (F), Evelyn Page (G).
Newcomers: Sophomores — Morgan McKeen (G), Kate Murphy (F). Freshmen — Reese Perry (F), Meagan Holling (G), Holly Putnam (G), Elliot Rupp (G), Peyton Richardson (G).
Analysis: “We’re excited,” Mackay said. “Our short-term goal is to get better every day. Long-term is to return to Barre. With all five starters and first two off the bench returning, we have set our goals high. I believe the players do have the desire and work ethic to have another successful year. We will do it the Windsor way — run hard for 84 feet and work hard for 32 minutes. We will be an enjoyable team to watch, and we will come ready to play every night.”
WOODSTOCK
Coach: Jason Johnson (2).
Last Year: 1-19, missed playoffs.
Leagues: VPA Division II, Marble Valley League.
Returnees: Juniors — Natalie Stevens (G), Hayley Mullins (G). Sophomores — Hayley Chase (F), Tobin Calder (F), Riley Earle (G), Savannah Sheehan (G).
Newcomers: Junior — Tess Steward (F). Freshmen — Jane Lackley (F), Emma Tarleton (G), Morgan Meyers (G), Lara Tarleton (G), Megan Tarleton (F).
Analysis: “Our objectives this year include working hard, being great teammates, developing skill sets, playing as a team and having some fun,” Johnson said. “We are also focused on the longer-term goal of being a competitive D-II program. I am confident this young group of players has the commitment and talent to deliver on this goal.”
WOODSVILLE
Coach: Russ Wilcox (5).
Last Year: 16-5, lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Hinsdale.
League: NHIAA Division IV.
Returnees: Senior — Eliza Cowell (G). Junior — McKenzie Dennis (F). Sophomore — Olivia Sarkis (F), Morgan Wagstaff (G), Emily Prest (G).
Newcomers: Senior — Laura Beckley (F). Freshmen — Mackenzie Kingsbury (F), Emily Farr (F), Anna McIntye (F), Maddie Roy (G), Leah Krull (G).
Analysis: “We are very young and inexperienced, and the loss of five solid seniors, including two all-state players in (Molly) Clough and (Lily) Kinder, will be hard to replace,” Wilcox said. “The hope is to be strong enough to be able to compete when playoffs arrive. We will be tested with games against two state finalists that return all players to their rosters in Littleton and Blue Mountain.”