In Friday’s print editions, we ran a four-page pull-out section with the Chittenden County basketball preview capsules and a story on the international flavor on the St. Johnsbury boys team.
The girls basketball capsules were also included and can be found online HERE.
Here on the blog, I’ll delve into my thoughts on the contending boys teams in the four divisions.
Division I
Rice returns three starters — Casey Tipson, Marcus Willingham and Tommy Fitzgerald — that have postseason and title-game experiences. Rice has a bit of everything — size, speed, athleticism — that makes it difficult for opponents to game plan against. … International additions for St. Johnsbury places the Northeast Kingdom program among the favorites. Vlad Cobzaru brings an inside presence, but the key for SJA might be its uptempo attack and outside shooters. … Guard-heavy Rutland, led by Tre Hysell, rebounded from a loss to St. Johnsbury in the opener by nearly putting up 100 points against Colchester. Mark them down as a threat … Tommy Carton and Essex began with a nice start, perhaps a sign the football-familiar Hornets will contend for the first time since they won the title in 2010. … Defending-champion Mount Mansfield lost its starting five and a couple key bench players to graduation, but should those defections signal a sign of rebuilding? While it’s obviously still early, Tuesday’s narrow lost to Rice suggest the Cougars might make things interesting this winter. … Other teams I think have chances at deep playoff runs: Champlain Valley (once Brad Bisonnette returns) and Missisquoi (Can the Thunderbirds get help for Matt St. Amour?).
Division II
When thinking of favorites or contenders in this division, I think it starts with a program in Addison County: the Vergennes Commodores. Shep Carter is one of four starters back for a team that lost in last year’s finals. Vergennes is already off to a nice start, topping the Metro’s CVU and South Burlington. … U-32 could still be seething from its playoff defeat to Burr and Burton. Ryan Booth and the Raiders have already begun the healing process, with the Raider sharpshooter netting five 3-pointers and 27 points in the opener. .. Defending-champion Mount St. Joseph lost four starters and its coach stepped down, but expect the Mounties to contend, as will Jake Staclup and Burr and Burton.
Division III
The early favorite, without question in my mind, is Williamstown, which returns key players, including Jason Manwaring, from last year’s championship team. … After the Blue Devils, the division is tightly packed with parity — Enosburg, Hazen and Randolph are among those squads looking to make some noise.
Division IV
Although Chad Copeland is off to college, Twinfield should still be a factor in this division, but I wouldn’t mark them as the favorite just yet. Pavin Parrish is a big-time scorer for Rochester and Danville is a team that reached the last two title games, falling each time to Twinfield.
