Main Sections

Middlebury Prevailed 66-59 In Tight Match Against Vergennes Boys Basketball

photo by Marcie Bolton

photo by Marcie Bolton

Tuesday February 28, 2012

By Marcie Bolton

The Tigers showed toughness on the boards and held Vergennes back this time for a win- 66-59.  By the end of the first quarter the score was 14-8 fortuitously predicting the close outcome of another winning game for Middlebury (9-10) as the Tigers won their 2nd game in a row.  They evened up their season series with Vergennes after losing to them a few weeks back in a very close game 64-63. The host Tigers reeled off a powerful start and kept the momentum throughout the game, while Vergennes nipped at their heels throughout. 

Vergennes went into halftime down 32-22, knowing they had to step it up.  For a team that is 17 and 2 it was very plausible, yet they could not seem to get ahead. 

Vergennes blasted out of the locker room and by the end of the third quarter brought it up to a respectable 2 point difference 41-39, still behind though.  In the last two minutes of the game the score went from 55-48 to the final score through many time-outs for both teams and fouls called on the Commodores. In the last 17 seconds of the game James Hare’s four free throws, brought the score to the final 66-59.Vergennes (17-2) broke their eleven game winning streak but had great performances by Junior guard Shep Carter with 17 points and junior guard Zach Ouellette with 16 points.  The Tigers (9-10) were led by juniors James Hare with 15 points, Connor Collins and Tyler Provencher both with 14 points.  Middlebury had 36 rebounds to Vergennes’ 23 rebounds.  For turnovers, Middlebury had 19 to Vergennes’ 13.  Both teams shot 44% field goal percentage. 

Middlebury Coach Altemose recapped the game saying, “It was a fun game in a packed gym with some excitement from the stands.  We never trailed in the game.  Connor got us off to a good start attacking them on the break and scoring 8 in the first quarter.  We led 14-8 after 1.  Balanced scoring in the 2nd quarter helped us to an 18-14 edge.  Vergennes’ Curler led them with 7 in that quarter which was capped by a Provencher 3 at the buzzer.   We were up 32-22 at the half.  It was tied a couple of times in the 2nd half.  Vergennes made a run to get back in during the 3rd quarter but my kids did a great job of answering.  41-39 after 3.  Back to back 3's from Provencher and Hare with 2:45 to go in the 4th opened the game up for us pushing it from 49-45 to 55-45.  Vergennes didn't quit, they scored 11pts in the final 1minute of play which kept it exciting throughout the finish.  The closest they got after we opened up that 9/10pt lead was 6pts at 19seconds left in the game.  James Hare went to the line twice in that final span sinking all 4 to ice the win.” 
The two Addison County teams will need their leading scorers and steady defense to power through to the playoffs. 

Playoffs for the Middlebury boys start 2/28 or 2/29 with a first round game.  Winners will move on to the quarterfinal games March 2 or March 3.  The higher seeded team hosts.  After that it is the semifinal and finals for division 1 which will be at Patrick Gymnasium (UVM) March 6 and March 8.

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives