-There is always a little extra pressure on a team when they are defending a championship.
Last season's Brattleboro Unified basketball team went undefeated and won the school's second state title. With nearly all of the starters from that team back for this season, they fully expect to repeat as champions.
But head coach Tyler Boone is doing what can be done to temper expectations. While 13 players are returning, Boone says several of them are dealing with injuries and illnesses, so the Bears will have to use a seven-player rotation to start this season.
Boone also says that the other teams the Bears will face this season have improved, and that every one of them would love to beat to beat the reigning champs.
Despite being shorthanded and having no opportunity to play any preseason scrimmages, the Bears had no problems in defeating the Springfield Cosmos, 44-26, in the season opener in the BUHS Gym on April 3.
"Springfield always gives a good matchup," Boone said, "but our kids were ready."
Seniors Austin Pinette, Jeffery White, and Ashley Cleveland are the core of the Bears offense, but this game saw the younger players on the team make a big impact on the outcome. Brattleboro opened the game with a 14-0 run to take a 16-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. Cleveland, Pinette, White, and sophomore Alexx Labounty all had baskets in the first quarter, with freshman Mason Andrews draining a jump shot at the buzzer to cap the Bears' big run.
The second quarter saw the Bears' other supporting players get into the scoring column, with sophomore Darius Cansler-Cooper chipping in six points and Labounty and juniors Shaeleigh Willard and Andrew Chinn also scoring baskets. But Springfield got its offense going with a pair of baskets from Colby Bates and baskets from Coltrane Parker and Scarlett Bell to cut the Bears' lead to 28-12 at the half.
Brattleboro started the third quarter with another run led by Pinette, Andrews, White, and Cleveland to extend their lead to 22 points by the midway point. The Bears coasted from there, as every player in their lineup except sophomore Caden Russell scored. It was not for lack of trying, as his teammates went out of their to give Russell plenty of chances to make a basket as the crowd cheered him on.
"Everyone was friendly and worked together," said Boone after the game. "It was a dream game. I hope that our team can keep it up. Every game is going to be hard this season."
Boone was also pleased that there were contributions from all the players on defense as well as offense. "If we are going go far, we're going to need help from everybody."
Twin Valley girls' soccer hosts Spring Fling fundraiser
• The Twin Valley girls' soccer team hosts its third annual Spring Fling Extravaganza Thursday, April 10, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Old School Enrichment Center on 1 School St. in Wilmington.
The event features an Easter egg hunt set at 4:30 p.m., with the Easter Bunny making an appearance, along with a bake sale, face painting, a raffle, and games.
Admission is by donation, and all proceeds from the event go toward sending the team to Keene State Soccer Camp this summer. Contact Twin Valley head coach Taryn Lawrence at tlawrence0384@gmail.com for more information.
Vermont's trout season opens April 12
• Winter may still be hanging on in the hills, but Vermont's trout fishing season opens this Saturday, and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says anglers can be successful early in the season if they keep a few strategies in mind.
"Just like any other time of year, anglers fishing early in the spring should adjust their tactics based on conditions," State Fisheries Biologist Shawn Good said in a news release. "Trout will become more active with warmer water temperatures. If you can find a good location and present your bait or lure without spooking the trout, you'll have a good chance of catching a few fish, and enjoy a nice day outside."
Good says finding a small to medium low-elevation river or stream that is not too murky from spring runoff can be key. Trout are coldblooded and may be slow to bite especially with cold water temperatures, so it is important that they can also see your bait, lure, or fly.
Larger baits can often be more effective for enticing early-season trout into biting. Spin-anglers should try nightcrawlers, egg imitations, or bright-colored spoons and spinners. Fly anglers may find success in the early season by drifting large, more visible flies such as wooly buggers, streamers, or San Juan worms along the bottom in slower pools and runs.
Trout will often hold close to the bottom in the deeper areas of streams during high flow conditions to conserve energy. Choose locations and tactics that allow you to fish using a slow retrieval right along the bottom. Focus on deep holes behind current breaks created by big boulders, downed trees or log-jams where trout may be resting. If possible, approach the hole from downstream as trout will often orient themselves facing the current.
While Vermont offers excellent and diverse fishing opportunities for wild trout, stocking also occurs in many lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers where wild trout populations are low or absent. This generally happens each year once the ice has melted and following spring runoff.
"Early in the season, like on opening weekend, you'll probably have more success if you focus on waters known to hold wild trout," said Good. "Despite unpredictable weather during early spring, each year anglers report catching impressive trout during opening weekend."
Anglers are advised to check the 2025 Vermont Fishing Guide and Regulations which is available free from license agents, and is on Vermont Fish and Wildlife's website, vtfishandwildlife.com.
Protect hiking, biking trails during mud season
• Anglers aren't the only folks getting outside now that spring is starting to arrive. Hikers and bikers are getting antsy too, but the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) reminds the public that mud season is still with us and many trails around the state are closed.
During mud season, which can run until Memorial Day in upper elevations, hiking and biking trails are wet and muddy due to the combined effects of snow melt, thawing ground, and seasonal rain. "We ask the public to avoid muddy, soft trails to protect sensitive vegetation, reduce erosion, and ensure trails are in good shape for the upcoming hiking and biking season," the FPR said in a news release.
You can check trail status by using online resources such as Trailfinder.info, or calling the Green Mountain Club Visitor Center (802-244-7037) to find out what trails are closed or open near you. Weather in the spring is variable, so even if a trail is marked as open, proceed with caution and turn around in muddy conditions. Foot traffic through the mud causes soil compaction and erosion, which makes it harder for these plants to take root and survive in their environments.
Also, don't forget to check weather reports before going out, since conditions will differ at higher elevations. It may be sunny and warm in town but windy, slippery, snowy, or cold on the mountain. Always be prepared with extra layers, traction, and a contingency plan, including turning around or seeking an alternative place to hike.
Senior bowling roundup
• Week 12 of the winter/spring season of the Brattleboro Senior Bowling League at Brattleboro Bowl on April 3 saw Renegades (38-22) hang on to first place, despite having a 1-4 week. Full Monty and Double Trouble (both 37-23) are tied for second place, followed by Slo Movers (34-26), Charlie's Angels (33-27), Wayne's World and Sandbaggers (both 31-29), Niners (30-30), and Let 'Em Roll (26-34).
Annie Sherman had the women's high handicap game (246) and series (675), while Rick Westcott had the men's high handicap game (270) and Fred Ashworth had the high handicap series (667). Renegades had the high team handicap game (870) and Charlie's Angels had the high handicap series (2,488).
Robert Rigby had the men's high scratch series (655) with games of 224, 217, and 194, while Warren Corriveau Sr. had a 602 series with games of 227 and 204, Peter Deyo had a 597 series with games of 200, 199, and 198, and Kevin Napaver had a 586 series with games of 225 and 212. Rick Pietro had a 552 series with a 234 game, Mike Pavlovich had a 540 series with a 212 game, Jerry Dunham had a 535 series with a 190 game, Westcott had a 508 series with a 227 game, and Ashworth had a 508 series with a 190 game.
Nancy Dalzell had the women's high scratch series (460), with games of 179 and 160. Pam Greenblot had a 173 game and Carol Gloski rolled a 169.
Randolph T. Holhut, deputy editor of this newspaper, has written this column since 2010 and has covered sports in Windham County since the 1980s. Readers can send him sports information at news@commonsnews.org.
This Sports column by Randolph T. Holhut was written for The Commons.