Harwood Basketball nets two Senior Night victories at Barre Aud
February 18, 2023 | By Sam Jefferson | Community News Service Update Feb. 19: Harwood Girls Basketball’s first playoff game is Tuesday at 6 p.m. at home vs. Springfield.
BARRE — Harwood basketball fans had much to cheer for in Wednesday night's doubleheader as both the boys and girls varsity teams took home victories in their senior night games.
In a Harwood Athletics tradition, senior players are honored ahead of their final home game. Photographer Sarah Milligan (left) captures the moment for senior guard Ciera Fiaschetti with her family members and Coach Tom Young. Photo by Sam Jefferson
With their high school’s gym closed for construction due to flooding last fall, the Highlanders have had to travel to opponents’ gyms for every game this season. Wednesday night’s matches had a special twist though as Harwood got to pack the stands for senior night at the Barre City Auditorium, a venue traditionally reserved for playoff games.
Short ceremonies acknowledging senior players preceded each tip-off. The girls team will graduate eight players this year and nine will move on from the boys team.
Senior girls players this year are: Ciera Fiaschetti, Mia Lapointe, Cierra McKay (captain), Sadie Nordle, Ayden Parrish, Cameron Rocheleau, Jill Rundle (captain), Abby Young (captain).
Senior boys players this year are: Lewis Clapp (captain), Aiden Dalley, Parker Davey, Cole Flaherty, Cole Hill (captain), Nathan Kudriavetz, Iyah Lavit (captain), Boon Maher and Cooper Olney.
Harwood senior Jill Rundle battles for the ball. Photo by Sarah Milligan
In a stifling defensive first quarter against U-32, head coach Tom Young put his team in a 2-3 zone, a formation primarily used to pressure passing lanes, exploit weak outside shooting and generate fast breaks for easy buckets.
This approach flustered the Raiders, as the Highlanders wreaked havoc guarding on the perimeter and caused multiple turnovers. The Highlanders struggled at the start with their offense, but their defensive strategy allowed them to end the first quarter with a 4-2 lead.
“We’ve really been perfecting the zone,” senior forward Abby Young said after the game. “We’re getting better at it every game, and we’re working on getting out to outside shooters too. It all really came together in this one.”
By the end of the first half, the Highlanders' offensive woes had smoothed out. With 1:30 left to go in the second quarter, they turned three separate Raiders turnovers into transition layups to finish with a 19-7 lead.
“Those quick transition points were key,” Young said. “Our defense creates our offense, and so that really helped us get going.”
The Highlanders' hard-earned momentum continued till the final buzzer sounded, resulting in a 24-point blowout.
Sophomore guards Eloise Lilley and senior Ayden Parrish started many of the fastbreaks, combining for 10 steals on the night. Junior forward Quinn Nelson added a huge impact off the bench, recording a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
The win was the 12th for Tom Young’s girls as they look ahead to playoffs. “It’s truly just been an amazing group this year,” Young said. “I’ve never had a team work so harmoniously and so much of that has to do with this senior group.”
Harwood girls played their final regular season game on Thursday against Thetford Academy. The Panthers (15-5) won that matchup 39-23. The Highlanders (12-6) go into the Division II playoffs as the No. 4 seed.
School officials also announced on Friday that the Harwood gym will be ready for the season's first home game. Highlander Girls are scheduled to play their first playoff match on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 6 p.m. vs. No. 13 Springfield.
Senior Harwood forward Nathan Kudriavetz prepares to take a shot from the foul line. Photo by Sam Jefferson
Boys game: Harwood Highlanders 55, Williamston Blue Devils 45
Countless Highlanders hit the floor after loose balls to start this boys game against Williamstown in Barre. With Harwood’s offense scuffling out the gate, coach Jay Bellows’ team controlled what they could: their effort on the defensive end.
“I think the slow start mostly came from everyone getting used to a new court and adjusting to the rims,” Bellows said after the game. “Once that happened, the offense came easier.”
Senior Lewis Clapp led the team in the second quarter, pouring in quick six points to help eventually push the score to 27-24 in Harwood’s favor at the halftime break.
Harwood senior Cooper Olney goes up for a shot. Photo by Sarah Milligan
From then on the Blue Devils continued to hang around, taking the lead back at the start of the fourth quarter with a 5-0 run to make it 39-38. But then, in the next possession, Harwood junior guard Tobey Bellows rose on the right wing for a three-ball that touched nothing but net — sending Harwood fans into a frenzy.
The big-time bucket by Bellows galvanized the Highlanders, and the team held tight to the lead on their way to a 55-45 victory.
“That shot felt great, but tonight was all about the seniors,” said Bellows, who finished with 15 points. “It was great to find Cole [Hill] and Cooper [Olney], who are both great cutters to score.”
Olney, a senior guard, also finished with 15 points. Driving to the hoop on multiple occasions he’d twist through the Blue Devils' interior defense, leaping against outstretched arms for layups.
It was fitting that the seniors walked away with a much-needed win on their night, even if it wasn’t in their home gym.
“It was really cool — it obviously doesn't have the same effect as our home court, but it was really great to experience it here,” senior forward Nathan Kudriavetz said.
The Highlanders (8-8) got past the U-32 Raiders (4-13) on Saturday, 48-44, and still have three more games on their regular season schedule: Lake Region Monday, Feb. 20; Thetford Academy on Thursday, Feb. 23; Spaulding next Saturday, Feb. 25.
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