BRISTOL — The Mount Abraham Union High School boys’ basketball team came into Saturday’s home game vs. Otter Valley probably needing a win after an 0-3 start.

And they earned one by pulling away for a convincing 67-37 decision over an OV team that had played well in splitting its first two games.

The Eagles, who improved to 1-3, fell behind by 5-0 in the first 3:10, a stretch in which they turned the ball over several times. But then they righted the ship, played strong man-to-man defense, more than held their own on the boards, and started to hit their shots.

MOUNT ABE SOPHOMORE guard Noah Germon drives the lane during the Eagle boys’ basketball team’s Saturday home game vs. Otter Valley.
Independent photo/Steve James

Mount Abe Coach Martin Clark said his team gelled after its rocky first few minutes.

“We’re young, and we’ve been working through a lot of young-player mistakes,” Clark said “We’ve shown spurts of being able to play together. And we came out today and threw the ball away I think six times in a hurry. And then we settled down and played basketball the rest of the game.”

Clark pointed to the Eagles’ defense and rebounding, critical areas for a team not blessed with size.

“That’s really a big key, defensively, to continue to get better. We’re not a big team. We’re small, and we matched up pretty well with Otter Valley,” Clark said. “We’ve been working hard in practice on position on rebounding, and we’re hoping that it just continues.”

MOUNT ABE SOPHOMORE Waydon Cherington draws a blocking foul as he attacks the basket for two points during the Eagle basketball team’s Saturday home game vs. the Otters.
Independent photo/Steve James

OV Coach Mike Stark said he believed his Otters didn’t handle holiday scheduling well. The Otters came to Bristol with a 1-1 record consisting of a five-point loss at a strong Fair Haven team and a big win at Proctor, and they probably didn’t expect a 30-point loss.

“I chalk this up to vacation, loss of routine, loss of structure, and too much time off,” Stark said. “We just didn’t execute the way I know we’re capable of. It’s as simple as that. We just didn’t show up. I don’t like breaks because kids are up too late.”

He also credited the Eagles.

“Hats off to Mount Abe. They outworked us in every single aspect. They had more boards than us. They beat us to 50-50 balls. They just wanted it,” Stark said. “I think we were looking at past successes, and thinking last year we beat them easy. Well, it’s a new year, guys.”

Despite Mount Abe’s slow start, the score was knotted at 7-7 after one period as four Eagles scored in the quarter and their man defense began to frustrate the Otters.

OTTER VALLEY SENIOR Logan Denis takes advantage of senior teammate Jacob Warrell’s pick to drive into the paint during the Otters’ visit to Mount Abraham on Saturday. Denis led the Otters with 18 points.
Independent photo/Steve James

Then Mount Abe blitzed the Otters with a 23-9 second quarter in which four Eagles combined for 21 points: senior guard Charlie Germon (seven points) and three sophomore guards, Noah Germon (six points) and Dustin Abbott and Waydon Cherington (four apiece). They did most of the damage by attacking the basket, although the Germon brothers also each hit a three-pointer.

OV senior Logan Denis kept his team within striking distance with four of his 18 points and a slick assist inside to classmate Jacob Warrell that cut the lead to 26-16 late in the period. But then in the final minute Abbott scored in the lane and the older Germon brother hit two free throws to create the halftime score.

The Otters cut the lead to 12 at 4:42 of the third period on a Zachary Dragon three-pointer and then four straight Denis points on offensive rebounds to make it 34-22.

But the Eagles responded with a 10-0 run capped with five points from Noah Germon to just about settle matters at 44-22 with 2:51 left in the third period. Coach Stark called for time after that Eagle outburst.

EAGLE SENIOR GUARD Charlie Germon takes to the air to get a shot off during the Mount Abe boys’ basketball team’s Saturday home game vs. Otter Valley.
Independent photo/Steve James

The timeout didn’t slow the Eagles. In the final 2:51 Noah Germon sank a baseline jumper and converted a drive to the hoop, and Charlie Germon hit a three as the Eagles closed out the period with a 51-28 lead. At the other end Denis scored twice inside, and Brody Lathrop sank two free throws.

Denis did his best to rally OV in the fourth period with five early points, and Lathrop hit a three to make it 55-25. But senior forward Cooper Cook had come alive for the Eagles with six points inside in that span, and with three minutes gone the lead was still 22 points at 57-35. The Eagles then outscored the Otters, 10-2 the rest of the way, with Charlie Germon capping his day with seven of those points. A drive by senior Jackson Howe was the only answer OV mustered down the stretch.

Denis finished with 18 points to lead OV in a strong effort, and Dragon scored nine.

Stark said the Otters would be looking forward to a rematch in Brandon.

“We get to see them on Jan. 9 at our place,” Stark said. “I hope we use this as a learning opportunity early in the season and work harder to get better.”

MOUNT ABE SOPHOMORE Waydon Cherington watches his acrobatic shot drop for a bucket during the Eagle boys’ basketball team’s Saturday home game vs. Otter Valley.
Independent photo/Steve James

Charlie Germon led the Eagles with 22 points, followed by Abbott (13), Noah Germon (11), Cherington (eight), Cook (six) and Jaran Griffin (five).

Coach Clark noted many of the Eagles’ turnovers came when they tried to share the ball, and should decrease as the team gains experience and learns to better read passing lanes. At times they also passed up good shots in the paint in order to try to set up a teammate.

Clark thus expects continued improvement in those areas.

“Overall, this team is very unselfish,” Clark said. “Everybody looks for everybody else.”

Clark also said the Eagles have played a challenging schedule: Division I Mount Anthony, a tough U-32 team, and undefeated Randolph. Randolph was set to visit the Eagles on Tuesday for a rematch played after the early holiday deadline for this edition.

“I feel those tough games early have helped us grow defensively,” Clark said.

His takeaway?

“I think we’re going to compete just fine all year,” the Eagle coach said. “No game is going to be easy because of our lack of size, but … they’ll continue to get better and work hard, and, like I said, this group plays together.”