ADDISON COUNTY — In recent local boys’ basketball action, Mount Abraham edged Otter Valley for its first victory, Middlebury also earned its first win, and Vergennes picked up its second victory while splitting a pair of games.
EAGLES VS. OTTERS
On Monday, host Mount Abraham staved off an OV rally when Sawyer Kamman sank a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give the Eagles a 53-50 victory. The 1-2 Otters had trailed by as many as 18 and by 14 as the fourth quarter opened before fighting back to tie the game at 50-50. Connor Gallipo (15 points), John Winslow (14 points and 12 rebounds) and Carson Leary (14 rebounds and nine points) sparked OV.
Travis Bachand led Mount Abe (1-5) with 23 points and eight boards, while Kamman finished with 15 and Mark Jipner tossed in 10 to make it three Eagles in double digits. The two teams will meet again at OV on Jan. 11.
On Saturday, visiting Randolph (3-0) posted its second win of the season over the Eagles, this by a 73-41 final. Kamman (18) and Jipner (11) led Mount Able.
TIGERS
On Saturday, the Tigers took a 38-33 lead with an 11-0 run to close the first half on their way to their first win of the season, 60-49 at Montpelier. Sam Usilton keyed that surge with eight of his 12 points, and Bryce Burrell (13 points, eight boards) contributed key hoops as MUHS stretched the lead to 48-39 after three periods.
The Tigers maintained the lead throughout the fourth and iced the game when Bobby Ritter (12 points) hit four straight free throws down the stretch. Cullen Hathaway added eight points for MUHS, and Ritter and Usilton grabbed seven boards each for the 1-2 Tigers.
COMMODORES
On Monday, the Commodores improved to 2-3 by edging host Harwood, 64-59. Brendon Huestis (16), Liam Hayes (14) and Jarret LaFleche (14) combined for 44 of the VUHS points.
On Saturday, visiting Peoples took a big early lead and held on for a 55-52 lead over VUHS. Peoples led after one period, 20-9, and at the half, 35-21, before the Commodores fought back. Three Commodores reached double figures: LaFleche (12), Hayes(11) and Wesley Miedema (10).