Springfield's Evan Hall drained an impossibly long three-point basket and Cameron Colon scored the game-winning hoop with 6.4 seconds to play to give the Cosmos a 46-45 win over the Brattleboro Colonels in a Unified basketball playoff game on May 3 at the BUHS gym.
It was a tough way to lose a playoff game, but few on the Brattleboro side were complaining. The last minute had thrills to spare and everyone there on both sides who witnessed it will be talking about it for a long time.
The mad minute began with Springfield clinging to a 41-40 lead. Brattleboro's Jacob Williams was fouled driving to the basket and made one of his two free throws to tie the game, and then drilled a 15-footer to give Brattleboro a 43-41 lead with 28.9 seconds to play.
Springfield responded with a 35-foot prayer of a shot by Hall that went in to put the Cosmos in front, 44-43, with 21 seconds left.
Joy Young put the Colonels back in front with a 10-footer in the lane. It was 45-44 with 15 seconds to play.
Brattleboro turned up the defensive pressure, particularly on Cameron Colon, who scored 12 points in the first half for Springfield, but was held to four points in the second half, until he slipped through to score the deciding points as the clock ticked down.
Colon finished with 18 points, as did Hall, to lead the Cosmos. Zach Smith led the Colonels with 19 points. Nine of them came in the second quarter, when the Colonels were struggling to score. Smith got hot and ended the first half with a rainbow of a shot heaved from half-court. The ball passed through the gym's roof girders and, somehow, went into the basket as the buzzer sounded.
Williams and Young each added 12 points, and Kayli Nicholsen added a pair of baskets to round out Brattleboro's scoring.
“I could not be more proud of them,” said Colonels coach Todd Bell. “That shot by Zach at the end of the half gave us life, but there were so many other unbelievable plays on both sides. Our execution was better than I've seen all year.”
Springfield was the only team that beat Brattleboro during the regular season. The Cosmos had a 40-32 victory over the Colonels last month.
Softball
• It's hard to quibble with an 8-0 record, but Brattleboro coach Kelly Markol says that while it is nice to be undefeated, her team has yet to be tested. With six shutouts and all but one of their victories achieved by double-digit margins, the Colonels have cruised through the early part of the season.
A big reason why the Colonels have had such success is the pitching arm and the bat of Hailey Derosia. Against Burr & Burton on May 4 at Sawyer Field, she threw a perfect game with no hits, no walks, and 12 strikeouts in a 16-0 win stopped after five innings due to the mercy rule.
At the plate, Derosia went 4-for-4 with a double, two triples, and a three-run homer over the center field fence.
Rachael Rooney, Mariah Powers, and Jamie Mahoney all had two hits and each drove in two runs. Lauren McKenney added one hit and drove in two runs, and Julie Hendricks and Mya McAuliffe each hit safely.
Two days earlier at Sawyer Field, Derosia threw a no-hitter, with 10 strikeouts and five walks, as the Colonels blanked Hartford, 15-0, in six innings.
Rooney went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs, Derosia homered and had three RBIs, and Mahoney had two triples and two RBIs. Julie Hendricks went 2-for-3 and Kathryn Wocell tripled.
• Sydney Hescock had three hits, including a triple, and drove in five runs as Leland & Gray rolled to a 18-3 win over winless Twin Valley in six innings on May 2.
Olivia Brown and Alison Stockwell each added two hits and drove in two for the Rebels, while Mariah Hazard went 2-for-2 and scored four runs.
Brown was the winning pitcher, as she struck out 14, walked five, and held the Wildcats to three hits. Sarah Andersen, Erin Cutts, and Hescock all hit home runs as Leland & Gray shut out Woodstock, 14-0, on May 3. Cutts finished three hits and three RBIs, while Nikki Sanderson, Andersen, and Hescock each drove in two runs.
Brown turned in another great pitching performance for the visiting Rebels. She struck out 13, walked no one, and held the Wasps to five hits. Leland & Gray finished the week at 4-1.
• Bellows Falls lost both of their games last week - a 16-1 road loss to Hartford on May 2 and a 12-5 home loss to Otter Valley on May 4. The Terriers finished the week at 1-6.
Baseball
• Brattleboro pitcher Adam Newton came within an out of a no-hitter in a 13-0 win in five innings over Mill River on May 1. Newton struck out six, walked two, and ultimately gave up a pair of two-out hits in the fifth inning.
Dan Petrie went 3-for-3 and drove in four runs, and Chris Frost, Tyler Millerick, and Hunter Beebe all had two hits each for the visiting Colonels. Millerick also had three stolen bases.
Two days later in Fair Haven, the Colonels prevailed in a 10-8 slugfest over the Slaters. Starter Leif Bigelow threw five strong innings to get the win, but got five runs in the seventh inning off relief pitcher Adam Newton. Dan Petrie was then summoned to get the save.
Brattleboro scored six runs in the fourth inning to take control of the game. Bigelow helped his cause with a two-run double, while Chris Frost had three hits for the Colonels.
• Joel Emmons went 2-for-5 and drove in five runs as Leland & Gray beat Long Trail, 16-5, in five innings on May 1 in Townshend. Patrick McDonald and winning pitcher Christian Thomsen each had three hits for the winners, while Chris Bovat had two hits for the 3-1 Rebels.
On May 3, Woodstock edged the Rebels, 4-3. Luc DuGrenier and Thomsen shared the pitching chores for the Rebels. Patrick Meyer had a pair of hits, and Grayson VanHendrick hit a double.
• Twin Valley lost to Mount Everett, 12-0, on May 2. Joey Rafus and Hayden Reed each had one hit for the visitors.
The next day, the Wildcats lost to Green Mountain, 15-4, at Baker Field. Reed and Eric Bolognani each went 1-for-3 to lead the Wildcats.
Lacrosse
• The Brattleboro boys lost to Keene, N.H., 11-7, on April 30 at Natowich Field. The Colonels stayed close and sliced Keene's lead to 8-7 midway through the fourth quarter before the Blackbirds scored three unanswered goals to clinch it.
Durin Hoyer scored twice for the Colonels, and Ryan Tyler, Zach Zumbruski, Charles Burroughs, Tanner Edson, and Alejandro Cornman all scored once. Malik Mane, Gus Williams, and Tyler were each credited with an assist and Colonel goalie Caleb Martin made 16 saves.
On May 4, the Colonel boys knocked off Rutland, 6-5, under the lights at Natowich Field. The win avenged a 16-8 loss to the Raiders a week earlier in Rutland.
Hoyer scored twice and Williams added another goal as Brattleboro came back from a 5-3 deficit in the final quarter. Martin made 19 saves in goal. The victory evened the Colonel boys' record at 5-5.
• Brattleboro scored two goals in the first 25 seconds of their game against Wahconah in Dalton, Mass., and the Colonel girls hung on from there for a 17-15 win on May 3.
Tobin Lonergan scored six goals and Megyn Ayotte scored four goals to lead the Brattleboro attack. Sophia Capy and Liz Day each added three goals and Liv Romo also scored. Eliya Petrie made six saves in goal.
The next day, the Colonel girls were back in the Bay State, this time in Amherst, where they hung on for a 16-11 win. Brattleboro is 6-1 and is in second place in the Division I girls' lacrosse standings.
Track & Field
• Shane Clark won the pole vault and javelin to lead the Bellows Falls boys' track team to victory in a six-school meet at Hadley Field on May 2. The Brattleboro boys were 31 points behind the Terriers in second place. Twin Valley was fifth.
Maggie Lonardo took the 100 meter dash and long jump to lead the Brattleboro girls to a second place finish. The BF girls rolled to a big win, with 257 points to Brattleboro's 112. while Twin Valley wound up in the sixth position.
Tennis
• The Brattleboro boys faced Bellows Falls on May 3 at the BUHS courts and swept the Terriers, 7-0.
In singles play, No. 1 Mason Powers defeated Mike Mueller 6-0, 6-0; No. 2 Cole Merkle beat Jack Bador 6-0, 6-0; No. 3 Kyle Murray got by Bailey Sbardallati 6-3, 6-1; No. 4 Mason Foard ripped Alden Parmalee 6-0, 6-0; and No. 5 Mateus Aragao topped Jackson Maiocco 6-1, 6-2.
Brattleboro's No. 1 doubles team of Rowan Kidder and Ben Diamondstone beat the BF duo of Charles Bennett-Owen Edwards 6-0, 6-1. The Terriers forfeited the No. 2 doubles match. Brattleboro ended the week at 3-4, while BF is 0-5.
BOC hosts annual canoe, kayak sale
• The Brattleboro Outing Club's 19th annual Spring Canoe and Kayak Consignment Sale/Swap will be held on Saturday, May 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., in The Outlet Center, 580 Canal St. (near Exit 1 of Interstate 91), Brattleboro.
Swapping takes place 11:30 a.m. to noon, with the sale running from noon to 2 p.m. This event is for human-powered craft, small sailboats and related gear. The proceeds from this event underwrite the BOC's summer paddling program, allowing it to be free and open to the public. Owners set the price, and BOC keeps 10 percent of the eventual selling price.
Drop-off times are Friday, May 11, noon to 2 p.m., and 5 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 12, 8 to 11:30 a.m. However, owners wishing to get a jump on clearing out unwanted/unneeded craft are encouraged to call 802-254-3666, or email Lmacyak@gmail.com to coordinate an early drop-off. Bring trailored boats on Saturday, May 12. Boats and gear may be donated to BOC, to help fund the paddling program.
Girls on the Run celebrates another season
• Girls on the Run Vermont (GOTRVT) annual Southern Vermont 5K celebration takes place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 12 at Brattleboro Union High School. This event is the culmination of GOTRVT's 10-week after school empowerment program for local girls in grades 3-8, and is open to the public.
“This day is more than just a 5K,” said Nancy Heydinger, Executive Director of GOTRVT, in a news release. “It's a celebration of confidence, connection, uniqueness and all of the goals the girls have accomplished in our program over the past few months - with their grand goal to cross the finish line alongside their friends, family, and community. The emotions of this day are indescribable and can only truly be felt when experienced first-hand.”
Girls on the Run Vermont has empowered more than 42,000 girls since its inception in 1999. This year, the Girls on the Run program - along with the Heart & Sole curriculum for middle school girls - is reaching more than 2,600 girls at over 170 sites in the state.
Proceeds from the 5K event benefit Girls on the Run Vermont's Every Girl Fund. This fund helps to ensure that every girl in Vermont can participate in the program through automatic subsidies, and additional financial assistance to those girls who need it the most.
Day-of registration will take place from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at BUHS, with entry fees of $10 for children and $30 for adults. Any 2018 GOTRVT girls and coaches do not need to register for the event. For more information, visit www.GirlsOnTheRunVermont.org.
Grace Cottage 'Spring into Health' 5K set for May 12
• Registration is now open for the 9th Annual Grace Cottage “Spring into Health” 5K. The family-friendly event takes place Saturday, May 12, Mother's Day Weekend, starting at 8:30 a.m. on the Townshend Common.
The race will be professionally-timed for competitors, but is open to all, whether you run, walk, roll, or stroll. The course is 3.1 miles of mainly flat, paved road along Grafton Road (Route 35). Healthy snacks and water will be provided.
After the run, there will be awards, raffles, and general merriment. There is also a free Fun Run for kids 8 and under on the Common at 9:15 a.m. The event, held rain or shine, wraps up around 10:15 a.m.
Race-day registration takes place between 7:45 to 8:15 a.m. The fee is $20 for adults, $10 for kids. Parking is available across the street at the Leland & Gray High School. For more information, visit www.gracecottage.org/events or call 802-365-9109.
Red Clover Rovers begin Fun Run season
• The Red Clover Rovers held their first Fun Run of the season on May 2, and they'll have races held every other Wednesday, starting at 6:30 p.m., on Upper Dummerston Road in Brattleboro.
There are four race distances to choose from, including one mile, two miles or three miles on the road, or the 2.4-mile trail run.
These races are free to enter and families are welcome to participate. The sign-ups, along with the start and finish line, are near the entrance to the Brattleboro Country Club. Water and cookies are provided.
After last week's opener, race dates are as follows: May 16 and 30, June 13 and 27, July 11 and 25, Aug. 8 and 22, and Sept. 5.
Summer camp sign-ups at the Rec
• The Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department will hold its annual Summer Program Registration Extravaganza on Wednesday and Thursday, May 16 and 17, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Gibson Aiken Center, 207 Main Street.
With one check and one form, you will now be able to register for all the Rec & Parks summer programs all at one convenient location.
This includes Summer Day Camp, Little Peoples Camp, “Hoop It Up” Basketball Camp, Baseball Camp, Gymnastics Camp, Track & Field, Mountain Biking, Challenger Soccer Camp, Baton Twirling Camp, Lacrosse Camp, and Mad Science Camp, as well as discounted pool passes.
The Rec's 2018 Summer Brochure will be distributed to students at Brattleboro's elementary schools, and is also available at the Chamber of Commerce office and the Gibson-Aiken Center. Visit them at www.brattleboro.org and on Facebook. For more information, call the Recreation & Parks Department at 802-254-5808.
'Ski for Hunger' raises nearly $6,000 for Putney Foodshelf
• The Grammar School in Putney raised $5,754.75 for the Putney Foodshelf with its inaugural Ski For Hunger on March 1. The school recently presented a check to Foodshelf Board Members Nancy Olson and Laura Chapman, and Foodshelf Coordinator Hannah Pick at an All-School Meeting on May 2.
Throughout the school year, The Grammar School supports The Putney Foodshelf in a variety of ways. Each month, a designated class spearheads food collection from the school.
In addition, special food drives happen in September, when the school fills their school bus with donations for the Top the Truck drive, and during the holiday season, when they create special Thanksgiving baskets.
Senior bowling roundup
• The spring-summer season of the Brattleboro Senior Bowling League began last week with Team 8, Team 3, and Team 9 (all 4-1) sharing first place. Team 1 and Team 6 (both 3-2) are tied for second place, while Team 2 and Team 5 (both 2-3) are tied for third. Team 7 (46-36) and Team 4 (both 1-4) are tied for fourth.
Sonya Shippee had the women's high handicap game (240) and series (693). Norm Corliss had the men's high handicap game (242), while Mark Rivers had the high handicap series (638). Team 8 had the high team handicap game (841) and series (2,423).
In scratch scoring, Warren Corriveau Sr. (586), Gary Montgomery (571), and Marty Adams (503) all had a 500-plus series. Corriveau had a 204 game, while Montgomery rolled a 212, and Jerry Dunham had a 201.