March 8, 2025 | Photos by Gordon Miller

Sweet victory on Wednesday at the Barre Aud as the Higlanders clinch their spot in the Division II championship. Harwood took out the Hartford Hurricanes, 51-48, in the semifinal. Photo by Gordon Miller

Harwood Boys Basketball returns to the Barre Auditorium today for a sold-out Division II state championship game against the Montpelier Solons.

The No. 3 seed, Harwood (20-3), clinched their spot in the title game on Wednesday, getting past No. 2 Hartford, 51-48. Today pits the Highlanders against cross-town rival and No. 1-ranked Montpelier (22-1).

Tickets for today’s game at 3:45 p.m. are sold out. Fans can tune in to listen live on WDEV radio on the air at 96.1FM or 550AM or online on the station’s livestream. The NFHS network has a game livestream as well that requires a subscription.

*Coach Jay Bellows checks the clock as fans stay on their feet for the finish. Photo by Gordon Miller*

Read about Wednesday’s intense semifinal matchup in this report by James Biggam in The Times Argus:

BARRE — The Harwood boys basketball team missed over half of its free-throw attempts, faced an eight-point deficit early in the second quarter and was plagued by foul trouble against two of its best players Wednesday. But the No. 3 Highlanders shook off their challenges down the stretch and soaked up the historical significance of their achievement after rallying to a 51-48 Division II semifinal victory over No. 2 Hartford.

Harwood was making its first Barre Aud appearance in 15 years and punched its ticket to the finals for the first time since 1988 after surviving some tense moments at the end. The Highlanders will carry a 13-game winning streak into Saturday’s 3:45 p.m. title game vs. No. 1 Montpelier, which owns a 22-1 record.

*Victory in sight. Photo by Gordon Miller*

The Times Argus’ Adam Aucoin has a preview of today’s game as well:

Montpelier is looking to become just the second Vermont boys basketball team to win five straight state championships, a club that Mount Anthony has been alone in for more than 30 years.

Harwood is looking to play spoiler against one of its biggest rivals.